Geoff Smith | Senior Vice President

Geoff’s work as Vice President of Woodstock Institute has encompassed research and writing analysis of a wide range of housing and community development topics, including mortgage lending policy, housing market trends, small business finance, financial institution regulation, access to banking services, and general community reinvestment policy.

“I use data analysis to examine the economic health of neighborhoods and to understand factors threatening the financial security of economically vulnerable communities,” says Geoff. “The goal is to inform policy solutions that promote responsible and sustainable financial products and practices.”

Through his work, Geoff researches and writes reports for Woodstock Institute and often shares findings directly with policymakers. He has authored and co-authored numerous Woodstock publications and co-authored research published in journals including Housing Policy Debate and Urban Affairs Review; testified on predatory lending issues and community reinvestment policy at hearings held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, the Federal Reserve Board, the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and the Chicago City Council, and has been quoted in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets. He has also appeared on NBC Nightly News.

Geoff received a B.A. in Geography from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.