Cathy Smith

Cathy Smith

Cathy Smith brings 30 years of professional experience blending journalism, public involvement, communications, conflict management, and partnership development. She has worked with the interrelated subject matter that impacts quality of life and resiliency, including land use, transportation, water, energy, economic revitalization, social justice, and health. After building and leading a communications and engagement firm and team for 30 years, Cathy is now focused on strengthening the abilities in others to lead, manage, participate in, and shape the improvements or reinvention that their teams or communities need.

Through her training delivery and writings, she intends to help people better connect in the world that they share. This focus has brought her back to NCRC, where Cathy began her career in the early 1990s, when she was first trained as a community mediator and part of the staff. She is currently a board member of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2), working with colleagues around the world to share and advance best practices of engagement. She is also one of IAP2’s USA’s eight licensed trainers and was the first person to be certified by them as a Certified Public Participation Practitioner in the state of California.