Best known in media circles as the “Fixer”, Judy Smith is a world-renowned Crisis Management Expert and entrepreneur who serves as Founder and CEO of Smith & Company, a strategic advisory firm considered to be one of the top crisis firms in the world. For more than 25 years, she has served as an advisor for a host of corporate, celebrity, non-profit and government clients providing strategic counsel to help individuals and organizations navigate challenging issues. Prior to founding her firm, Ms. Smith served as Deputy Press Secretary and Special Assistant to President George H. W. Bush. Her ground-breaking work inspired the hit TV show Scandal, and her book Good Self…Bad Self: How to Bounce Back from a Personal Crisis incorporated years of experience to help readers develop the tools to face mistakes and overcome them. We are so excited to have the opportunity to chat with Judy and ask her some questions about her amazing career!
You are known as a “fixer”. What does that mean, and what does it mean to need a fixer?
A fixer, or crisis manager, has the knowledge and expertise to give advice, and isn’t afraid to give the best advice they can. I don’t live with that fear, because I’ve been doing it since I was 6 years old. One of the reasons I think I’m confident and good at what I do is I understand people, and knowing that helps me get to the core of most issues.
You are the real-life inspiration for the character of Olivia Pope from the hit show “Scandal”. What was it like seeing a “loose” version of yourself on TV? What about Olivia is actually you?
Our similarities: Olivia is strong, she’s competent, she is relentless. She is good at what she does and she loves it. And she cares about people.
You were the first Black woman to preside over a press conference when you served as Deputy Press Secretary for President George HW Bush. What was that experience like, and what was it like being back at the White House to see Karine Jean-Pierre become the 2nd?
I was so glad to see Karine (Jean-Pierre) at the podium. I always want to see progress moving forward. Her at that podium is a continuation of that.
You’ve said many times that as a child you would drive in your father’s cab past the White House and say you would work there one day. How important is it to believe in yourself and manifest your future? How has it led you to where you are today?
I think it’s really important to believe in yourself and what you’re capable of. I think at times that belief will be tested, if not shaken. For me it’s not just believing in yourself and manifesting your future. I always say life requires action. I can believe in it, but what are you doing to take action, to get you where you want? It is that extra step. And it’s not just once, you have to keep taking action over and over and over again.
You’ve started an amazing platform called “Handle It with Judy Smith.” What does it mean to “Handle It”?
When I talk about Handle It, I am talking about taking control of your life and your current situation. We all come from different backgrounds, but I believe each of us has what it takes to evolve in different situations and take the necessary actions to handle whatever comes our way. Keep your fate in your own hands. You take control, you handle it.
As a female founder, what do you want your legacy to be?
I really don’t think about that. I view legacy as the way we choose to live each day. Your legacy ends up being a summary of that.
What’s next from Judy Smith and what can we look forward to?
I’m about to step on the gas. Buckle up!
What woman in history inspired you?
There are so many. One I remember in particular is the woman I wrote my high school paper on… Shirley Chisholm. She was gutsy, independent and brave and ignored what people told her she couldn’t do.
What’s the first thing you do every morning?
I usually try to do some sort of exercise!
What’s the last thing you do every night?
Take a moment to think about how grateful I am that I had that day.
What app can’t you live without?
It’s a pedometer app. I love getting in my steps!
What business or person should we have our eye on?
Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA
