2021 FEatured KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Maraskeshia Smith
deputy city manager - city of stockton, ca
Maraskeshia Smith has more than 21 years of government experience serving in various roles from Deputy City Administration, Director and Deputy Director of Public Works. Maraskeshia is a recognized leader in performance management and data-driven decision making, with a focus on civic engagement, enhancing and revitalizing neighborhoods, creating strong and resilient teams, increasing inclusion and diversity, and promoting trust in government through transparency and collaboration. Ms. Smith joined the City of Stockton, California on May 4, 2020. In her current role as Deputy City Manager, she oversees Economic Development, Human Resources, Municipal Utilities, Public Works, and affordable housing and homelessness initiatives. Prior to joining the City of Stockton, she served as Assistant City Administrator to the City of Oakland, where she provided leadership to Libraries, Planning and Buildings, Human Resources, Animal Services, Parks and Recreation, Human Services, Community Development, and homelessness. At the onset of the COVID pandemic, Maraskeshia was instrumental in launching a mobile COVID-19 testing site in Oakland to ensure that first responders- Police, Fire and front-line workers- could get tested, and then quickly expanded testing to include all eligible employees.
During that time, the City of Oakland was one of the first cities in the nation to offer testing to employees who were not sworn Police or Fire. Maraskeshia was appointed Cincinnati’s first African American female Public Works Director, where she led the department for nearly ten years, managing daily operation of traffic and roads, sanitation, facilities, fleet management and emergency operations. She was instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for Cincinnati residents, and her accomplishments have been recognized for contributing to neighborhood revitalization, labor relations and code enforcements. Under Ms. Smith’s leadership, she oversaw the design and construction of a 39,000 square-foot Police District, which became the first LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy Police station in the world. Maraskeshia has a strong passion to give back to her community, both personally and professionally. In the community she dedicates many hours to mentoring and tutoring female students who have experienced the traumatic impacts of broken homes and foster care. She believes and teaches that life’s circumstances are pathways to success. She has served on a number of boards and commissions, ranging from professional agencies such as Commission on Housing and Support Services; International City Management Association; National Forum of Black Public Administrators; American Public Works Association; Municipal Waste Management Association; National Black MBA Association; and International Public Managers Association; to service and faith-based nonprofits supporting youth education and development, including Bluegrass Community and Technical College, United Way of the Bluegrass, YMCA Black Achievers, Tubby Smith’s Club House, Step By Step Worldwide Ministries, and Michael John Vision for Success Committee.
Maraskeshia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college women. Consistent with the sorority’s service ethic, Maraskeshia strives to exemplify excellence through sustainable service. Maraskeshia has received numerous awards to include: City Manager’s Innovative Government Award, Public Technology Institute GIS Award, Public Technology Institute Innovation Award, Design-Build Institute of America Award, Frank F. Ferris II Planning Award, AIA Cincinnati Design Award, and NAFA Fleet Management Association Top 100 Fleets Award. Ms. Smith holds an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky.
During that time, the City of Oakland was one of the first cities in the nation to offer testing to employees who were not sworn Police or Fire. Maraskeshia was appointed Cincinnati’s first African American female Public Works Director, where she led the department for nearly ten years, managing daily operation of traffic and roads, sanitation, facilities, fleet management and emergency operations. She was instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for Cincinnati residents, and her accomplishments have been recognized for contributing to neighborhood revitalization, labor relations and code enforcements. Under Ms. Smith’s leadership, she oversaw the design and construction of a 39,000 square-foot Police District, which became the first LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy Police station in the world. Maraskeshia has a strong passion to give back to her community, both personally and professionally. In the community she dedicates many hours to mentoring and tutoring female students who have experienced the traumatic impacts of broken homes and foster care. She believes and teaches that life’s circumstances are pathways to success. She has served on a number of boards and commissions, ranging from professional agencies such as Commission on Housing and Support Services; International City Management Association; National Forum of Black Public Administrators; American Public Works Association; Municipal Waste Management Association; National Black MBA Association; and International Public Managers Association; to service and faith-based nonprofits supporting youth education and development, including Bluegrass Community and Technical College, United Way of the Bluegrass, YMCA Black Achievers, Tubby Smith’s Club House, Step By Step Worldwide Ministries, and Michael John Vision for Success Committee.
Maraskeshia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college women. Consistent with the sorority’s service ethic, Maraskeshia strives to exemplify excellence through sustainable service. Maraskeshia has received numerous awards to include: City Manager’s Innovative Government Award, Public Technology Institute GIS Award, Public Technology Institute Innovation Award, Design-Build Institute of America Award, Frank F. Ferris II Planning Award, AIA Cincinnati Design Award, and NAFA Fleet Management Association Top 100 Fleets Award. Ms. Smith holds an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky.