Jen Smyers

Jen Smyers most recently served as the Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to ORR, Jen co-founded and directed Voice for Refuge Action Fund, a pioneering 501(c)4 organization that was the first of its kind to endorse refugees and pro-refugee candidates running for local, state, and national office. As Director of Policy and Advocacy for Church World Service’s Immigration and Refugee Program (CWS), Jen led CWS’s work connecting refugees with their elected officials, enacting pro-refugee policies, and transforming a DC-centric advocacy culture to center impacted voices and focus on community organizing. 

Jen holds a Masters degree in Public Policy with a concentration in International Development and Migration from American University and a dual Bachelors degree in Law & Society and Public Communication.