CHERIDA D. SMITH

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherida-smith ad4un7@r.postjobfree.com 202-***-**** SUMMARY

Public affairs professional with multifaceted roles as community organizer, accelerator program manager, corporate-community liaison, C-suite advisor, transportation consultant, gig worker advocate, & educator. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Principal Consultant (11/2020 - Present) CDS Global Consulting Group, Los Angeles, CA Providing consulting services in the areas of community management, flex/contract worker management and engagement, gig economy policy and advocacy, ridesharing and women’s safety. Clients:

Goodie Nation, Los Angeles, CA (1/2022- 9/2023)

Community Management consulting as Alumni Relations Manager and Los Angeles Ecosystem Builder. I managed a 600+ community of diverse Google-backed startup founders, experts, and service providers, helping to connect them to resources, opportunities, and contacts.

● Managed Goodie Nation’s official Google for Startups US partnership

● Organized and hosted in-person and virtual events for startup founders, investors, and industry experts

● Developed feedback loop to identify and fill gaps across programing, execution, and member engagement

Shared Harvest Fund, Los Angeles, CA (Nov, Dec 2022) Contract worker management as Executive Operations Program Manager program manager to a talent marketplace that directs resources to residents in low-resourced communities through wellness, service, and relief.

● Advised C-suite on contractor management and engagement practices

● Implemented internal communications system for project planning and task management

● Created a new contract position for data collection related to event participation and vaccination reporting

Founder (6/2020- Present) We Be Giggin™, Los Angeles, CA Founded an inclusive community for independent contractors, freelancers, creatives, and the people who hire them. We provide end-to-end in-person networking event coordination, production, and moderation, primarily in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

● Leverage project management skills to coordinate event logistics, including venues, catering, A/V, and programming

● Manage event registration and promotion, using marketing tactics to drive attendance

● Provide post-event analysis to optimize future events and to enhance the planning and execution process

Organizer & Outreach Director (1/2020-11/2020) Yes on Prop 22 Campaign, CA Holding dual roles as Community Organizer and Women’s Outreach Director, I co-led community organizing efforts to win California’s historic $200M+ ballot initiative advocating for independent contractor status for app-based drivers and other freelancers.

● Advised on strategic driver engagement strategy toward successful passage of Prop 22

● Organized virtual information sessions, driver meetups, and community appreciation events

● Led virtual community engagement events for women drivers and other supporters

● Created virtual Pandemic Unemployment Assistance workshops to help drivers access relief resources during historically low earning environment

● Consulted campaign organizers regarding social media strategy Corporate Driver Liaison (1/2019-11/2020) Lyft, Inc., San Francisco CA After providing rideshare driver services for nearly 6 years, I was honored to represent 400,000+ Lyft drivers in the Pacific Region (CA, HI, and NV) as the National Driver Advisory Council Lead, working cross-functionally to build relationships among Lyft community members. I managed driver engagement events to elevate the driver experience and create a feedback loop to communicate the driver experience to Lyft management teams.

● Provided strategic advice to Lyft HQ related to early stage projects, driver policies, and brand partnerships

● Created scalable development strategy for developing 45 Local Driver Advisory Councils (LDAC) nationwide, saving Lyft $250,000 in 2019

● Conducted focus groups with Lyft staff and drivers across markets

● Grew Facebook community of engaged drivers 200% in one year Program Associate, (7/2017- 12/2017) RDA Consulting, SPC, Oakland, CA Provided Justice Policy Client Consulting in Strategic Planning, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance Training and Facilitation for the following clients:

● Contra Costa County Office of Reentry and Justice

● Alameda County Public Safety Realignment Evaluation

● Oakland Police Department Measure Z Policing Services Evaluation

● Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership AB 109 Year 1 Evaluation Plan

● Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services

Program Coordinator (1/2016- 5/2017) Real Options for City Kids, San Francisco, CA Designed and developed grant-funded pilot program aimed at minimizing the school-to-prison pipeline by building a partnership between our nonprofit and key stakeholders in the city of San Francisco, including SF Unified School District, SF Department of Juvenile Probation, and the Department of Children, Youth and their Families.

● Provided direct service and support to caseload of 30+ at-risk students and their families, including classroom support

● Conducted comprehensive evaluation using quantitative data to define participant scope

● Coordinated logistics including: budgets, activities and outings, recruiting, team schedules and meetings

EDUCATION

● M.S. Justice, Law & Society - American University School of Public Affairs, Washington, DC

(2012)

● B.A. Sociology - Spelman College, Atlanta, GA (2008) SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

● 9/2023 “Behind the Wheel to Policy Change: A Journey in Transportation & Gig Work Advocacy”

University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy

● 11/2022 “Are we Moving to a Gig Economy”

UC Berkeley Extension Future of Work Podcast

● 11/2020 “Cherida Smith on Organizing Drivers for Yes on 22” The Rideshare Guy Podcast

● 6/2020 “How to Thrive in the Gig Economy”

National Urban League 17th Annual Legislative Policy Conference

Contact this candidate