Annie Kilburg Smith

As the youngest of four children, Annie got an early introduction to conflict resolution around the family dinner table. That curiosity about people, what motivates them, and how they navigate disagreements eventually became a career. Before finding her way into mediation and facilitation, she spent several years working in litigation, including for a criminal defense attorney. That experience inspired her to pursue more collaborative, lasting solutions to conflict and led her to earn a master's degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University.

Annie has worked in consulting for over 12 years, helping government agencies, tribal governments, utilities, organizations, and communities navigate complex decisions involving natural resources, energy, environmental cleanup, and public policy. At MFA, she brings that experience to communications, community engagement, facilitation, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving. Her interests also extend to workplace and sports-related conflict. One of her more unique experiences was designing a peer mediation program for Portland's Rose City Rollers roller derby league! Whether she's facilitating a large public meeting or helping a small group work through a difficult disagreement, Annie enjoys turning challenging conversations into meaningful progress.