Nick E. Smith

Nick E. Smith is an accomplished public policy strategist, advocate, and executive leader with over 15 years of experience driving systemic change in justice reform, housing equity, and civic engagement at municipal, state, and national levels. He currently serves as President of Polaris New York, where he continues to advance transformative policy solutions and civic empowerment initiatives across New York City and beyond. As the former First Deputy Public Advocate for the City of New York (2019–2024), Nick guided the legislative, policy, communications, and community engagement work of one of the city’s highest-ranking elected offices, representing Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams in critical federal, state, and citywide matters. A proven coalition-builder and policy negotiator, ...