As Calbright College’s Interim Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Outreach, Mackenzie Smith leads a team of communications experts to tell the student story and highlight Calbright’s growth and progress. Mackenzie recently served as Calbright’s Director of Communications. Prior to joining Calbright in 2023, she was a speechwriter for University of California President Michael V. Drake. Before transitioning to higher education, Mackenzie spent 10 years in Washington, D.C., supporting several members of Congress as a communications director and a legislative correspondent. She also served as a communications associate in JPMorgan Chase’s Corporate Responsibility Department, focusing on workforce development and sustainability. Mackenzie received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications with a minor in Marketing from American University in Washington, D.C. She currently resides in San Francisco with her sidekick, a labradoodle named Joni.