Cory Smith has spent almost two decades developing and leading issue and legislative campaigns and building diverse coalitions to protect the rights of vulnerable populations and individual rights.  Currently, Smith is a Visiting Associate at the Pulte Institute Policy and Practice – University of Notre Dame. Smith recently served as Vice-President of Policy, Advocacy & Communications at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND.  Smith has served in senior management and consulting positions for a variety of non-profit organizations.  In addition, he started his own small business to provide services to non-profits.   

Some of Smith’s key legislative accomplishments include successfully working to renew the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, securing nearly $100 million dollars in federal funding and language to provide tools to assist law enforcement in combating human trafficking and funding for services for survivors of human trafficking. Smith has also volunteered his time for domestic violence and sexual assault organizations to pass state legislation to combat human trafficking.  He is a regular spokesperson for the media and has testified before federal and state legislatures for victims of crime and individual rights.  In addition to his advocacy work, Smith has authored books and op-eds for major news outlets and taught as an adjunct law professor.  Active in his community, Smith has served on the boards of national and state organizations.  Cory lives in Mishawaka with his wife Erin who works at the University of Notre Dame, their nine year-old son and their German shepherd Mia.