Marc Smith is a government relations and public affairs leader with nearly three decades of experience working across the federal, state, and nonprofit sectors, specializing in water policy, wildlife conservation, and Great Lakes management. He brings extensive real-world policy and advocacy experience to the classroom. Marc is a senior staff professional at National Wildlife Federation (NWF) where he advances efforts to protect the Great Lakes, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation through strategic advocacy, coalition building, and public engagement. He has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, the Michigan and Ohio legislatures, and numerous state and federal agencies on Great Lakes, water, and natural resource policy issues.

A central focus of Marc’s professional work is building durable partnerships and effective coalitions across the conservation community. He provides strategic counsel and executive support to NWF’s state affiliates and partners throughout the Great Lakes region, helping organizations strengthen their capacity, develop collaborative strategies, and translate conservation priorities into effective policy campaigns. Previously, Marc directed NWF’s Public Lands Program in Washington, D.C., where he led national advocacy efforts focused on public lands conservation and outdoor access.

Marc has also played a leadership role in regional Great Lakes governance. In 2019, he was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve as a Commissioner on the Great Lakes Commission, where he continues to contribute to regional cooperation on Great Lakes policy and stewardship. Before beginning his career in conservation policy, Marc served as a Senior Legislative Assistant to the late U.S. Congressman Bruce F. Vento and Congressman Robert A. Underwood in Washington, D.C., working on natural resources, environmental remediation, and military land management issues.

Marc’s academic focus is on helping students develop practical, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to environmental advocacy and policy change. His teaching draws directly from nearly 30 years of experience developing policy strategies, building coalitions, navigating legislative and regulatory processes, and leading public-interest campaigns. His overarching approach is to challenge students to examine how science, law, politics, economics, and advocacy interact to influence water policy outcomes, while developing the skills needed to move from identifying an environmental problem to building a viable strategy for change.