Kennedy O’Dell is the Senior Manager of Advocacy at Smart Growth America. In this role, she manages advocacy and policy strategy on housing and economic development issues on behalf of LOCUS, Smart Growth America’s national coalition of real estate developers and investors who advocate for sustainable, equitable and walkable development, and the National Brownfields Coalition.

Kennedy joined Smart Growth America after three years in the office of U.S. Senator Bob Casey. As Senator Casey’s Appropriations and Economic Development Director, Kennedy advised the Senator on economic development, transportation, housing, and appropriations matters and oversaw the office’s appropriations process. Prior to the Senate, Kennedy was a Senior Research and Policy Associate at the Economic Innovation Group (EIG). At EIG, her work focused on place-based policy, economic well-being in rural communities, and legacy cities. Kennedy also previously worked at the state level as a staffer for the Montana Legislature and as a community organizer.

Kennedy holds a Masters of Science in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and a bachelors degree in history from Princeton University.

You can reach Kennedy at kodell [at] smartgrowthamerica [dot] org.