Ali Smith leads our Work & Wages team. She was born and raised in Stark County, in a family supported and empowered by union steelwork, and now lives in the Hocking Hills area with her family. Before entering policy and advocacy work, Ali spent eight years as a childcare provider — experience that continues to shape her approach to worker justice. Her frontline perspective drives her research across childcare workforce issues, access, funding, and policy, and grounds her belief that childcare workers form the backbone of the entire economy.

Ali guides organizational campaigns and strategy, driving major initiatives and advocacy efforts to advance policy goals for workers across Ohio. She leads cross-functional project teams, cultivates partnerships with community organizations and policymakers, and represents the organization in high-level coalitions and public forums. Ali also serves as president of the Central Ohio Worker Center’s board of directors, bringing a deep commitment to building power for marginalized workers, particularly in Appalachian and rural communities.