Leef Smith Barnes

Leef Smith Barnes is a seasoned communications leader and strategist, currently serving as the Director of Executive Communications at SAIC, where they focus on speechwriting and strategic storytelling. With a robust background as a reporter at The Washington Post from 1991 to 2007, Leef contributed over 4,000 stories that shaped national discussions on significant issues like race and criminal justice. They have held various communication roles at organizations such as AARP and the University of Cambridge, and have provided consulting services through Dale Curtis Communications, LLC. Leef is pursuing a BA in Broadcast Journalism and English from the University of Southern California.