Meet Amy Smith
Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.
I grew up all over – my Dad was in the Air Force and while I was in middle and high school, my family were missionaries in Ukraine. I went to Covenant College in Chattanooga, TN and have been here ever since! I spent 8 years in Higher Ed – working in student recruitment and fundraising before landing at an agency in Chattanooga. I’m an avid traveler, proud aunt to two nephews and an aspiring dog owner.
What’s something you love to do?
I’m a big reader and I love to cook. I love to try new recipes. I collect cookbooks and when I get a new one, read it cover to cover and cook my way through. An outpouring of that is hosting many dinner parties for my friends! I love bringing people together around a table to enjoy good food and great conversation.
What’s your favorite place?
Asheville, NC. I enjoy being in the mountains. Asheville is the perfect distance from Chattanooga for a weekend trip! It’s got great food, an amazing beer scene, the best views and some of my best friends live there, making it an even better destination. I love going to new places, but there’s something special about traveling somewhere often enough to have a list of your favorite haunts.
What do you love about the job?
I love how team based working at an agency is. How each person brings their own unique gift to the table and together, we make great work. In an account manager role, I get to be creative, strategic, and constantly learn new things.
What is the last thing you binge-watched?
The Great.
What’s your favorite book?
Too many to list. A recent favorite: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Doerr is an excellent craftsman and the way this story traces the impact of a single book across past, present and future is fantastic!
If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?
New Girl. I’d always be laughing.
Are you a listener or a talker?
I tend to be a listener and a question asker. I like taking it all in!
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m going to say an antipasto platter – cured meats, grilled veggies, fresh bread, delicious cheese, olives, etc.
If there weren’t any more computers, what would be your new occupation?
I’d be a speech language pathologist or a nurse.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for fun?
I’m drawing a complete blank! I don’t know that anything I’ve done for fun would be categorized as scary!
What’s your favorite children’s story?
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?
I’d spend it reading! My TBR (to be read) pile is continually out of control. If I had an extra hour a day, I’d devote it to reading.
Any words of advice?
I’m a big reader and one of my favorite authors is Louise Penny. In her book, Still Life, the main character, Armand Gamache, presents this advice and it’s stuck with me. “There are four things that lead to wisdom…four sentences we learn to say, and mean — ‘I don’t know. I need help. I’m sorry. I was wrong.’”
Why Schaefer?
From my first conversation with Schaefer, it was clear they value their people. At each step of the way, I was blown away by the thoughtful intentionality of the Schaefer team and their desire to know me as a person, not just as an employee. I was also really impressed with Schaefer’s creative portfolio. It’s easy to be lazy in the Healthcare space, but I think Schaefer does a great job of being strategically driven and letting that drive strong creative work. I’m so excited to join this special place!
For more about Amy, check out her bio.
