Judy Smith

Judy A. Smith is a crisis strategist and communications advisor who The Washington Post describes as “America’s best-known corporate fixer.” 

For more than 25 years, Smith has counseled presidents and world leaders through global crises, advised Fortune 50 CEOs through complex challenges, and helped manage the reputations of some of the world’s highest-profile individuals.

Perhaps best known in media circles for her expertise as a crisis management advisor, Smith is on speed dial for a host of high-profile celebrity and entertainment clients over the course of her career including, but not limited to, Angelina Jolie, Monica Lewinsky, Senator Craig from Idaho, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., actor Wesley Snipes, and the family of Chandra Levy. That work involves everything from managing unwanted press attention to rehabilitating reputations.

In addition to her work as a communications advisor during high-profile moments, Smith is a long-time counselor to some of the world’s largest and most influential companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Panera, Lowes, Sony, Kaiser, United Healthcare, and Walmart. She provides her clients with strategic advice on a variety of corporate communications issues such as mergers and acquisitions, product recalls, intellectual property litigation, corporate positioning, diversity, and other corporate, investor, and public relations matters. 

She has been featured in numerous national publications including The Washington Post, National Journal, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, and Fast Company. Smith is an experienced and sought-after commentator as a crisis management expert. She frequently appears on major television networks such as CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Smith also speaks at events throughout the year before conference audiences, corporate boards, academic institutions, and other professional groups. She is the author of the book Good Self, Bad Self, which was published in 2012 by an imprint of Simon & Schuster. 

As a result of her wide-ranging and ground-breaking career, Smith inspired the hit TV series entitled Scandal which revolved around the life and work of a professional fixer. Smith served as co-executive producer of the project and provided insight and technical expertise on crisis management issues. Smith’s advice and counsel have been valuable to corporate boardrooms and currently serves on the board of the Washington National Cathedral.