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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKirsten Smith Kirsten Smith – Statement of Qualifications and Interest in the Office of City Commissioner 1 To: Bozeman City Commission From: Kirsten Smith Re: Qualification and Interest Statement for Bozeman Office of City Commissioner Vacancy As a candidate for the position of city commissioner, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep-seated commitment to fostering positive change through collaboration, inclusion, and strategic action. I have 20 years of project management, needs assessment, facilitation, strategic planning, implementation support, evaluation, organizational and systems change, and grant writing experience with public, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations in health, human services, education, early learning and development, economic development, and arts sectors. I believe my qualifications equip me with the skills necessary to address the diverse and complex challenges facing our community. Core Values My professional and personal life are shaped and guided by my core values of optimism, connection, community, and kindness. I believe in the transformative power of human connection and the critical importance of building resilience in people, organizations, and systems. I have cultivated these values with intention and consistently work to ward off cynicism that can feel pervasive in our culture. Through my community service and career, I have consistently worked to be a part of positive change and am excited for the potential to impact change in this new role. Key Qualifications My qualifications are grounded in my experience and education. I hold a Master of Public Affairs and a Master of Arts in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia. Additionally, I am certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute and have received certifications in facilitation, strategic planning, and implementation methods from the Institute for Cultural Affairs, as well as Results-Based Accountability from the Clear Impact Academy. After seven years of work for a small government consulting company, I founded Bloom Consulting, LLC in 2012, and have had the privilege of directing numerous high-impact projects. My professional experience focuses on supporting diverse populations, including children, youth, seniors, individuals and families with low incomes, people with disabilities, individuals with behavioral health disorders, and other marginalized groups. My broad lens provides me with a well-rounded understanding of community needs and the interconnected nature of public services. Professional Experience Most recently I have served as the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition (GBHC) Coordinator. Using a collective impact framework, GBHC drives behavioral health systems improvement in our region. I facilitate participation from diverse government entities, health and human services providers, and emergency response/public safety stakeholders toward a shared vision, mission, and goals. I led the development and update of GBHC’s strategic plan as well as the corresponding work plan and Kirsten Smith – Statement of Qualifications and Interest in the Office of City Commissioner 2 evaluation plan, which guide our work. The GBHC has grown trust between partners and is creating positive change through new and enhanced behavioral health services and supports, including the implementation of mobile crisis response services and crisis follow-up program enhancements. I have led numerous comprehensive statewide needs assessment and strategic planning projects for Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services divisions and programs. These include projects for Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (2023-2024), the Early Childhood and Family Support Division (2023 and 2019-2020), DPHHS as a whole (2018), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (2016-2017). I led the assessment and redesign of the Montana Child Care Licensing Program (2022-2024) and a reset of Montana’s Big Sky waiver for individuals with physical disabilities and seniors (2020-2021). Other notable Montana-based work includes facilitating the stakeholder advisory council and writing the operational protocol for the Money Follows the Person project (2012-13), which brought in significant federal funds to move people from institutions to home and community-based settings, and strategic planning and logic modelling for the Project LAUNCH Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) grant (2016), which enhanced behavioral health services for children in families in Gallatin and Park Counties in collaboration with DPHHS. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how effective collaboration and inclusive practices can drive meaningful and sustainable change. My professional journey has reinforced my conviction that the best ideas and solutions emerge from collaborative efforts. Working with a broad spectrum of public, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations, I have led projects that demanded high-level strategic thinking as well as meticulous attention to detail. Much of my work involves gathering information from people impacted by policies and programs using focus groups, listening sessions, surveys, community forums, interviews, and site visits. The voices of people with lived experience have consistently guided my analysis and decision-making. My experience has honed my ability to facilitate diverse groups, synthesize input from various stakeholders, and drive consensus towards actionable plans. Community Involvement and Personal Interests Beyond my professional achievements, I am deeply committed to community service. I advocated for the best interests of children in the foster system as Court Appointed Special Advocate(CASA)/Guardian ad Litem in Gallatin County for fifteen years. I served on the board of directors for Montana Ballet Company and The Traveling School, and currently serve on the board of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts. I replenish myself by spending time with friends and family, in dance and yoga studios, and enjoying the outdoors. I spend a lot of time hiking, backpacking, skiing, and floating rivers. We’re lucky to live in a place that inspires daily awe when we walk out our front doors. Conclusion I have spent the last 20 years of my career supporting effective, efficient decision-making by others in my role as a consultant and advisor. I would be excited to take on the role of being a collaborative decision-maker in the City Commission. I have a vision for a healthy, vibrant, connected community, and would be honored to serve as a City Commissioner.