Cortland Names Alison Smith Executive Vice President of Talent
ATLANTA (Aug. 17, 2020) – Cortland announced today the appointment of Alison Smith as executive vice president (EVP) of talent to lead hiring, development and associate engagement for the firm.
Smith will oversee Cortland’s development of innovative solutions to accelerate leadership and talent effectiveness across the company, as well as increase associate satisfaction, growth and retention. She will also spearhead the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts and will implement best-in-class training and management development programs that benefit associates in both short- and long-term objectives.
Prior to joining Cortland, Smith worked at Publix Super Markets, Inc. for 22 years, starting as an intern and working her way into progressive leadership roles focused on diversity and inclusion, compensation, learning, associate relations, retention and recruiting. Smith’s career at Publix culminated with her serving as the senior vice president of Human Resources, a role in which she led the entire human resources function and reported directly to the CEO. Throughout her leadership, Publix received many awards, in addition to gaining recognition as a “Great Place to Work” for 22 consecutive years.
“Through its values, innovation and dedication to providing excellent living experiences, Cortland is committed to recruiting diverse talent and accelerating leadership and talent effectiveness across our company,” said Steven DeFrancis, CEO of Cortland. “Alison’s vast HR experience gives us confidence she will accelerate Cortland’s cultivation of an exceptional work environment for our associates.”
“Recruiting, retaining and developing talent has been a passion of mine for more than two decades,” Smith said. “I’m excited to join a rapidly growing, values-driven organization with such a bold vision for its associates, and I am truly inspired to be a part of such a talented team.”
Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Emory University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida.
