Tiffany Smith
Institute Urban Leader In Residence
The Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation proudly announces Tiffany Smith as its new Urban Leader in Residence. Tiffany brings over 13 years of expertise in strategic planning, community development, and customer experience engagement, with a remarkable record of developing and implementing neighborhood strategies that promote economic equity and preserve affordable homeownership. Her proven ability to exceed client, resident, and funder expectations has established her as a trusted advisor and leader in the sector.
In her consultancy role at Heartland Next, a Black and woman-owned public affairs agency, Tiffany applies her deep housing policy knowledge and community engagement skills to catalyze transformative change. As a second-generation Chatham resident, she has firsthand insights into the power of homeownership for building resilient communities.
Previously, as Associate Director of Southside Neighborhood Strategies & Operations at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Tiffany led initiatives that preserved generational wealth and promoted household stability. She secured over $2.7 million in grants for the Greater Chatham community and increased funding by 50% for the department through enhanced community engagement and strategic partnerships. Her initiatives aligned community goals with impactful programming, advancing access to affordable housing.
Tiffany also excelled as Client Solutions Director at Alorica, developing successful domestic and offshore customer care campaigns and increasing employee satisfaction and economic equity initiatives, while achieving significant revenue growth and operational efficiencies. Her blend of data-driven strategy and client-centered focus has consistently delivered improved outcomes across sectors.
A Northwestern University graduate with a B.S. in Organizational Behavior, Tiffany’s strategic insights and interpersonal acumen make her a visionary in urban innovation. At the Mansueto Institute, Tiffany will foster efforts to grow and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities and support inclusive urban development research, working with students, faculty, and staff to create sustainable solutions that benefit all residents.