Erin McGowan
Erin started working at Smith and McGowan, Inc. in 2008. She started as an associate and became an owner in 2015. Erin’s expertise is in public health, local government, and community based services, including community corrections and behavioral health. She is the Executive Director for the Montana Community Corrections Association and advocacy director for Confluence Public Health, YMCAs of Montana, and the Human Resource Development Councils in Montana.
Erin thrives on relationships, building partnerships, and working collaboratively to achieve the goals articulated by her clients. Whether Erin is facilitating a cooperative or contentious discussion, she will ensure a productive meeting with client outcomes as the main incentive.
Erin is a native Montanan and has called Helena her home her whole life. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Montana State University. Erin has worked both in the public and private sector and brings that knowledge and experience to her clients.
Erin has a teenage daughter and three Shih Tzu dogs. In the summer you can find Erin running, hiking, or hanging out on her deck.
Kathy McGowan
Kathy is one of the founding members of Smith and McGowan, Inc. Kathy worked in the Governor’s Office as the Citizen Advocate under two Governors. After significant time in state government, Kathy recognized the need for health and human service advocacy. Kathy and her business partner started Smith and McGowan, Inc. with the explicit goal of representing underserved groups in the health and human services arena. Kathy spent decades advocating for community based mental health services in Montana.
In 2020 Kathy stepped back from lobbying and association management work and now dedicates her time to the administrative management of Smith and McGowan as well as providing financial and administrative services to clients.
While Kathy is not walking the halls of the Capitol anymore, she continues to be a wealth of knowledge and expertise at Smith and McGowan.
Kathy loves spending time with her three Shih Tzu dogs and tending to her magazine-worthy flower garden.