Our Team
Abby Piper
Founder & Managing Partner
Abby has fifteen years of experience in strategy, policy and advocacy initiatives, and high-level crisis communications. Her experience spans lobbying, communications, and public relations for various industries, including broadband, agriculture, economic development and workforce, education, environmental issues, infrastructure, local government, state procurement, and transportation.
Abby holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Western Kentucky University and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Louisville. She was awarded a 2022 Louisville Business First 40 Under 40, a 2022 Kentucky Fried Politics Emerging Power Broker, and is co-host of the Kentucky Politics Weekly podcast. She serves on the board of directors for the Kentucky Science Center, is Vice Chair of the Education Committee of the Louisville Rotary Club, and Associate Board Member for Home of the Innocents. She has also been a political commentator on KET.
Jared Smith
Partner
Jared Smith brings over 20 years of experience in politics and strategy. He specializes in campaign development and deployment, including political and strategic issue campaigns. Jared has consulted on over 50 elections, three independent expenditures, and two successful ballot initiatives. Jared has also been a full-time staffer for five statewide campaigns and has served as a political and finance director for a state party.
Jared holds a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Kentucky, a film degree from the New York Film Academy, and a Master's in Diplomacy from Norwich University. He was called upon to provide political commentary at the 2022 Fancy Farm picnic, and has spoken on key political issues on KET, at the Lexington Forum, and on the Kentucky Politics Weekly podcast, which he co-hosts.
Maddie Daily
Government Relations Manager
Maddie brings a broad range of experience to Piper | Smith through her work in both public and private sectors in Kentucky and in Washington, D.C. Maddie served as a legislative intern for a U.S. Congresswoman before interning at the McBrayer Law Firm in Lexington, Kentucky. She has also worked as a deputy field organizer for a state party, a marketing and outreach assistant for the University of Louisville, a policy analyst for a lobbying firm, and most recently, as a global compliance coordinator for Sazarac Company, Inc.
Maddie has a reputation of learning fast and outworking the field. Her passion for policy is evident, and her volunteering record is impressive. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kentucky, where she graduated Cum Laude. She also holds a master’s in public administration from the University of Louisville.
Maddie lives with her husband and two dogs in Carrollton, Kentucky.