Chris Smith joined the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in 2019, a year before it merged with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, where she currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She brings more than 25 years of experience with a focus on nature storytelling.
Prior positions include an international and domestic consultancy serving clients from global environmental NGOs, regional transit agencies, and small businesses, supporting their business development, marketing, and executive search needs. Other positions include Texas Media Director for Environmental Defense Fund, Marketing and PR Director for Tarrant County College and Strategic Communications Manager for Carter & Burgess.
Board service includes the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge and Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, having previously served as President for both boards.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Journalism (w/Environmental Relations emphasis) from the University of North Texas and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University. She also earned a Digital Marketing Certificate from Cornell University.
Her passion for travel has meant seeing as much as she can of the world, having lived in seven different states, a summer in Mexico and two years in Australia. An outdoors enthusiast, Chris enjoys nature hikes with her husband and two rescue dogs.
