Shree Smith brings a global perspective to her role as Dawood’s Community Planner II, blending economic development with experience gained from international travel. Whether securing critical funding or transforming townships, she understands cultural and community needs. We sat down with Shree to learn about her journey and role in transforming communities.
Tell us about your responsibilities.
I work closely with non-profits and Pennsylvania townships and counties to support their economic growth. My role includes identifying funding opportunities, matching grants to the right projects, drafting policies, and bridging financial gaps for capital improvement. Our rapport with clients gives us an insight into their financial status to select grants based on project needs. In the past five years, Dawood’s municipal team raised over $15 million in funding, from emergency planning and infrastructure improvement to economic development.
What sparked your interest in development and planning?
I’m an avid traveler who’s been to over 50 countries across five continents. Born in India, I moved to the U.S. to earn my master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. It’s my passion to learn how other cultures foster inclusivity, develop infrastructure, provide diverse urban strategies, tailor solutions to local needs, and manage green infrastructure. My love for wildlife and sustainability is inspired from my Kenya and Tanzania travels, seeing how tourism supports local communities. In Japan, I saw how the country develops public transportation, buildings, streetscapes, and pedestrian-friendly roadways. Even exploring historical cities such as Rajasthan in India provides insight into how cultures value history.
You’re a seasoned explorer! How have you put your experience into action?
Kenya taught me that providing solutions starts by understanding the culture and listening to people’s needs. For example, during the height of COVID-19 in 2020, I supported The United South and Eastern (USET) Tribal Nations—an intertribal non-profit serving as one of the 33 U.S. federally recognized Native countries. The pandemic threatened Tribal communities, so our team identified medical and financial solutions through interviews, community focus groups, surveys, and grant applications. Our policies included addressing housing needs, securing stakeholder funding, protecting wetland and stream natural resources, and promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Stay tuned for Part Two of Shree’s spotlight, where we dive into her Pennsylvania municipal portfolio…