Zayne Smith
Senior Director of Advocacy
AARP
Company
AARP
Cornerstone
Home Region
Calusa
Class
Cornerstone Class 42
Areas of Expertise
Advocacy, Aging, Mediator and Arbitrator, Non-Profit Organizations, Political (Consulting / Lobbyist), Public Policy, Citizen Engagement, Public Speaking
Biography
Zayne Smith serves as the Senior Director of Advocacy at AARP Florida, where she spearheads advocacy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. Her portfolio encompasses critical issues such as long-term care, prescription drugs, health care, utilities, elections, housing, retirement security and consumer protection. Zayne is a distinguished representative of AARP Florida on numerous coalitions and advisory groups. In recognition of her impactful work, she was honored with the 2023 Above & Beyond Award, celebrating her as one of Florida’s 40 most influential women in government and public service.
Previously, she worked as a lawyer/lobbyist on health, poverty and immigration policy at the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, testifying before the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Human Rights Coalition.
Zayne holds a B.A. in History & Journalism from the University of West Alabama and a J.D. from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. She was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Zayne enjoys tackling DIY home projects (Parrish, FL), getting lost in a good detective mystery and exploring the great outdoors with her partner Lisa Marie.
Previously, she worked as a lawyer/lobbyist on health, poverty and immigration policy at the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, testifying before the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Human Rights Coalition.
Zayne holds a B.A. in History & Journalism from the University of West Alabama and a J.D. from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. She was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Zayne enjoys tackling DIY home projects (Parrish, FL), getting lost in a good detective mystery and exploring the great outdoors with her partner Lisa Marie.