Dara Smith

Dara Smith currently serves as Deputy Assessor for the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the nation’s largest property assessment agency, where she leads internationally recognized programs. With a career rooted in transparency, fairness, and fiscal accountability, Dara has overseen the careful management of public funds, championed equitable property assessments, and developed clear, responsible budgets. Her leadership has contributed to tax savings programs that provide over $800 million in relief to seniors, veterans, homeowners, small businesses, schools, religious institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Beyond her Deputy Assessor role, Dara is the Acting President of the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association, in a jurisdiction that includes 20,000 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) employees within a workforce of over 100,000. In this capacity, she has worked to support the AANHPI community and foster a workplace culture of fairness, opportunity, and respect in the public sector. Recently, Dara ran as a first-time candidate for San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder, earning strong community support and finishing as the runner-up.

Dara holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accountancy from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and has an advanced certification from the California State Board of Equalization as a Property Tax Auditor-Appraiser.