Andrea Dima-Smith

About Andrea Dima-Smith

Andrea Dima-Smith is a public affairs strategist, executive administrator, and policy advisor with experience advancing public policy and managing complex government and political initiatives. As Founder and CEO of Hera Strategies, she leads a public affairs and government relations firm providing strategic advocacy, political consulting, and stakeholder engagement across the energy, education, water, and local government sectors.Andrea has directed winning political campaigns and supported public policy victories in the water sector, developing strategies that align community priorities with effective governance. She serves as a senior policy advisor to Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee in the Fourth District, where she leads executive administrative coordination, supports policy development, and advances cross-agency collaboration on key regional initiatives.Known for her organizational leadership and strategic approach, Andrea brings together policy, operations, and communications to deliver measurable public impact.

Experience

1. Senior Policy Advisor and Executive Administrator

   County Of Orange

   Feb 2019 — Present

   Manage all policy and advocacy work to promote initiatives under the Supervisor’s office• Maintain positive relationships with County of Orange Department Heads, interest groups, labor organizations, non-profits, elected officials, and public officials• Analyze Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda items and create policy briefs relating to Clerk of the Board, CEO - Human Resources, Orange County Human Relations Commission, John Wayne Airport, the Office of Care Coordination, the Orange County Community Resources – Community Investment Division, and Workforce Development Board• Identify forward-looking trends and issues within assigned policy areas and develop strategies, projects, and interventions as appropriate• Oversees the contract negotiations between John Wayne Airport, airport concession and rental car contractors, and labor unions• Provides labor unions with support in creating classification/compensation studies• Resolve constituent casework related to assigned policy areas• Provides administrative support to the Vice Chairman and Chief of Staff• Analyze administrative operations and advise on personnel recruitment and people functions. • Interviews and screens candidates for recommendation to board, commission, and committee appointments• Assembles and finalizes agenda information for board, commission, and committee appointments and uploads it to electronic servers• Assign and supervise the work of clerical staff and interns• Interprets and applies administrative and County departmental policies, laws, and rules in reference to the activities of the office

Education

• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

  Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology

  2012 — 2017

• Citrus College

  Associate’s Degree, Behavioral Sciences

  2009 — 2012

• Claremont Lincoln University

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, Public Administration