Washington, D.C. — The National Partnership for Women & Families — which advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to quality, affordable health care, reproductive health and rights, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family — announced today that Amaya Jane Smith has joined the organization. Smith will serve as the National Partnership’s new vice president for marketing and communications, responsible for strategic direction and oversight of its marketing, digital and media outreach, and all communications.

Previously, Smith has served as communications director and strategic advisor to the president at the AFL-CIO. While there, she managed the merger of the communications and digital departments, creating a blended team of 24 staff with shared messaging goals. This February, she served as a communications advisor and steering committee member for the Power Rising Summit, Building an Agenda for Black Women — a four-day conference focused on building Black Women’s collective economic and political power.

Prior to joining the AFL-CIO, Smith was press secretary for the American Association for Justice. She served as South Carolina and Alabama press secretary for the 2008 Obama presidential campaign. Before that, she was a regional press secretary for the Democratic National Committee. She served as communications director for Rep Albert B. Wynn (D-Maryland) from 2001 — 2005.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Amaya joining our team,” said National Partnership President Debra L. Ness. “During these challenging times, when we are fighting threats on almost every front, we know that her strategic insights and superb skills will make us even stronger and more effective. Amaya is widely respected in the labor and progressive communities and has a powerful commitment to the issues the National Partnership works to advance. With her help, we will be able to do even more to make our country more healthy, just and family friendly.”

Smith has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from American University. At the National Partnership, she joins an executive team that includes Sarah Fleisch Fink, general counsel and director of workplace policy; Sarah Lipton-Lubet, vice president for reproductive health and rights; Katie Martin, vice president for health policy and programs; Vicki Shabo, vice president for workplace policies and strategies; Debbie Stillman, vice president for development; Debbie Wilkes, Chief of Staff; and Judith L. Lichtman, senior advisor.