Kira Smiley is a professional with extensive international experience working in the ocean, food systems and climate space. She brings a lens of Systems, Moonshot & Design Thinking to her work.

—B.S.-Honors in Earth Systems from Stanford University

—Minor in Japanese

—M.S. in Sustainable Food Security & the Environment from Stanford University

Kira Smiley is a professional with experience in the ocean, food system, and climate sectors, offering a strategic perspective grounded in systems thinking, moonshot methodology, and design thinking. Her expertise lies in the intersection of these critical domains, where she applies a multidisciplinary approach to drive innovative solutions. Kira's commitment to sustainable change is evident through her work during her undergraduate studies, graduate degree, and subsequent career, showcasing a dedication to making transformative and impactful contributions in the environmental space.

Most recently, Kira has served as a Senior Program Manager overseeing Business Development at Tidal, a team within Alphabet's moonshot factory (formerly Google[x]), where she actively engaged in shaping novel technology to reshape the blue economy, with a strong emphasis in the domain of blue food. With over four years in this role, Kira has demonstrated expertise in various areas, including program management, technical program management, product management, customer success, and business development. Tidal's recognition as one of TIME Magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2023" underscores Kira's impactful contributions to this forward-looking project.

Prior to her role at Tidal, Kira played a key role in another Alphabet Project, which later transitioned to Google under the title "Food for Good." In this role, she led initiatives to build and launch technologies aimed at improving the lives of millions by addressing food waste through traceability technology. Kira's commitment to sustainability extends beyond her professional roles; she has worked across several accelerators, including around the circular economy and reducing single use plastics, as well as for sustainable aquaculture.

Kira's academic and research background is rooted in her time at Stanford University, where she held various positions, including a Research Assistant at the Freeman Spogli Institute Center on Food Security and the Environment, and program designer for sustainable behavior change with the Solutions Science Lab. She took an international approach to her environmental studies, and spent her summers in internships and fellowships at organizations such as the Finnish Environment Institute in Finland, and Mitsubishi Research Institute’s Energy and Environment Division in Japan. Kira's career trajectory showcases a consistent commitment to leveraging her skills in program management, oral communication, leadership, and sustainability to contribute meaningfully to projects aimed at addressing the pressing environmental and food security challenges that impact our world today.