Kate Smiley
Director of Virginia Government Affairs
Data Center Coalition
Since the start of her professional career, Kate Smiley has worked in the government and public relations sector at every level in capacities ranging from lobbying to campaigning to working in the federal and state legislature.
Kate began her career representing federal services contractors for a large trade association in Arlington, Virginia, a role in which she both led political action committee fundraising and directly lobbied members of Congress on complex defense and intelligence matters.
She later expanded her issue portfolio as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, focusing on healthcare, education, and veterans’ issues. Kate later served as Chief of Staff to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rip Sullivan. She also managed his campaign activities, including fundraising and communications during his time as Campaign Chair in 2019 when Democrats flipped the Virginia House of Delegates and the State Senate.
Most recently, Kate lobbied state and local governments for clients ranging from small non-profit organizations to large publicly traded corporations as an Assistant Vice President at McGuireWoods Consulting, located in Richmond, Virginia. In this capacity, she created and executed strategic lobbying plans, bolstered her strong, bipartisan network of relationships with Virginia lawmakers, developed bill and amendment language, and published political and elections analysis.
In her free time, Kate enjoys baking and reading about early European history. She previously practiced Muay Thai and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Kate graduated from Georgetown University with degrees in Government, History, and Philosophy. She lives in Richmond with her husband and daughter -- they are looking forward to expanding their family by one more this July.