Maggie Collins is the founder and principal of the Howe Street Group, offering a range of public policy and non-profit consulting services.

Maggie began her career in Washington, DC working for former US Senator Sam Brownback, covering transportation, agriculture, and space science issues.

After the terror attacks of September 11th, Maggie became the Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs for Border and Transportation Security, helping develop the initial operations for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During that time, she worked with DHS leadership, including Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, preparing them for public and Congressional appearances.

Maggie moved on to serve at The White House under President George W. Bush on the Homeland Security Council. As the Director of Aviation Security, Maggie was responsible for coordinating the implementation of aviation security policy across the US Government. At the White House, Maggie served as lead policy expert on aviation security within the Executive Office of the President.

Maggie later joined Cerner Corporation where she was responsible for developing the corporation’s thought leadership and government relations policies. She was the primary representative of the company to Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House and managed all interactions between Cerner’s senior leadership and government officials.

Maggie also served as Development Director for the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas Endowment Association. In her time with the Dole Institute, she worked directly with former Senator Bob Dole and the Director of the Institute to execute major-gift fundraising.

Maggie serves on multiple Advisory Boards including Charlie’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent injuries to children in and around the home, and American Public Square, a Kansas City based community organization whose mission is to improve the tone and quality of public discourse in politics. Maggie has also worked on multiple political campaigns ranging from local city council races to Presidential campaigns.

Maggie earned a B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies at the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.

Maggie lives in Kansas City with her husband, Tom, and their three children.

Robin Smith is a partner at the Howe Street Group, offering a range of organizational communication and strategy services that help clients meet and exceed their business objectives.

With more than 16 years’ experience in publicly traded and private corporations, as well as political and non-profit organizations, Robin helps clients assess opportunities through the lens of communication strategy, change management, consumer or employee experience, and brand identity.

Robin brings a background in corporate communication, public policy, workforce development, philanthropy, human resources and information technology to the Howe Street Group. Her unique cross-sector perspective drives her ability to counsel clients and advance their business objectives. She is particularly skilled at turning ideas into action and programs into experiences.

Robin began her corporate career at Cerner Corporation, a global health and information technology company. Her accomplishments included a comprehensive Cerner Careers rebrand, inclusive of enhanced candidate messaging strategies, website redesign, mobile app development, video production and niche marketing campaigns for computer engineering and military hiring. She also led the talent development team and program management for 300+ student associates and managed a budget of more than $3M. In 2016, she collaborated with Cerner executives, city officials, and community stakeholders to develop Cerner’s $8M Super TIF agreement with the city of Kansas City and the state of Missouri, supporting Cerner’s expansion into South Kansas City.

More recently, Robin worked with Hallmark Cards, Inc., overseeing employment brand, employee experience and corporate communication efforts. She led communication and change efforts for the global deployment of Microsoft 365, conducted a full overhaul of the company’s benefits communications, deployed a corporate employee listening strategy, and redesigned multiple employee experiences, including new hire orientation programming. She partnered closely with C-level executives in human resources and information technology to provide strategic communications support and led a team who managed the company’s internal communication program.

Robin also served as Finance Director for a successful Federal Congressional campaign and has volunteered on political races throughout the Kansas City region.

Robin has a B.A. in English and Communication from William Jewell College and a professional certification in Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute. She lives in Kansas City with her husband, Jeff, and their two children.