A highly trained analyst who knows how to navigate the politics of public policy...

That's Alexis Smith, Our Managing Partner

Since joining Barbary Coast in 2006, Alexis has worked on a variety of projects spanning the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Alexis’ background in public policy has made her an invaluable resource to clients such as the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, San Francisco Police Department, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

Alexis led Barbary Coast’s public relations efforts for California Culinary Academy and the Court of Master Sommeliers and she currently leads Barbary Coast’s work for Bank of San Francisco. In addition to her public relations and public sector clients, Alexis led community outreach for Urban Realty’s 250,000 sq/ft CityPlace project in San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood as well as stakeholder engagement and government relations strategy for two large-scale retail projects in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, respectively. Recently, Alexis assisted KB Home with its approvals for a transit-oriented development planned for Lafayette, California.

Alexis’ varied work experience includes working for a U.S. Senator, coordinating large grants for nonprofits and universities, leading public relations and marketing efforts for a technology start-up, and consulting for the administration of former Mexican President Vicente Fox on government transparency issues.

Alexis has a Master’s of Public Policy from the University of Chicago, where she was named a McCormick Tribune Urban Leadership Fellow. She also has an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Through kiva.org, all Barbary Coast employees make interest-free microloans to people in need around the world. Alexis’ Kiva partner is the Buluh Sari Group. Living in Indonesia, the goal of the group is to increase its members’ standard of living. They are achieving this through the raising of pigs. Buluh Sari Group’s hope is to raise market quality pigs by using high standard products to feed and care for them.