Cathy Kearney
Smith Staff
Office of Alumnae Relations and Development
Assistant Director of Milestone Reunions
What brought you to Smith?
I started at Smith in 2019 in Dining Services as the campus catering manager. I worked on all campus events, including events for alums. In my years as catering manager, I built relationships with staff, faculty, and students and fell in love with the inclusive and vibrant campus community.
In my role with Milestone Reunions (I joined in 2023), I continue to foster and nurture relationships with Smithies, focusing on alums.
What do you do here?
I steward the class volunteers of the 25th and 35th Milestone Reunion cycles, partnering with them to increase engagement, renew their connections with classmates, and align their philanthropic goals with the mission of the college.
Please share something you are proud of about your work at the college.
I love helping my classes with their class newsletters. Having all 10 of my classes send out two newsletters per year is a great feat, and I’m proud to say we are doing it! The volunteers love sharing news about their classmates and generating excitement for an upcoming class event or Reunion. I like the fact that I’m helping them stay connected and engaged with their longtime friends and classmates.
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The waterfall—it’s gorgeous and peaceful.
How has your background prepared you for your current job at Smith?
My past roles as a catering manager, wedding planner, and restaurant manager involved a great amount of listening, managing projects, and wearing many hats—all while building relationships and providing excellent customer service. So many of these skills transfer into my current role on a daily basis.
When you’re not working or traveling for Smith, what are you most likely to be doing?
Parenting my two toddlers, watching them slowly figure out the world, and walking in my neighborhood with our Redbone Coonhound, Duke!
What are you into these days?
My hobbies revolve around food: cooking and baking. I recently started making sourdough bread, and so far so good! I also love watching shows like Grey’s Anatomy and New Amsterdam.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Italy or Greece—for the food and for the shoreline views!
What’s a project you’re passionate about?
We renovated our house and keep doing projects to make it a home, now for our two kids and dog. Planting trees, building a playscape, and hopefully adding a dining room and another bedroom is part of the plan.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m a classically trained chef. I received a culinary school certificate after my bachelor’s degree.
Favorite Smith tradition?
Mountain Day
What’s your favorite dish?
Pizza and pasta always win.