Mike Smith is the Chief Opertating Officer (COO) of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). He joined the agency as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in April 2023 and has served as COO since February 2025. Prior to that time, he spent almost eight years serving as CFO with the State of Oregon Employment Department.

Smith is an experienced executive level leader with an extensive knowledge of state and Federal laws. His 10 years of previous state government experience also includes serving as CFO/Controller of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange where he was instrumental in the awarding of a $226 million federal grant.

Prior to state government, Smith held various financial leadership positions in the private industry sector for more than 15 years, including work with David Evans and Associates, Inc., where he was responsible for the financial operations of 17 offices. Smith also worked briefly in the non-profit sector at Cru in Orlando where he coordinated the annual budget for U.S. operations.

The Indiana native was born in Beech Grove and is excited to be back in his home state where he can invest in and support Hoosiers. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College and a Master of Business Administration degree with an accounting concentration from Liberty University.

In recent times, Smith served as vice chair of the Administration and Finance Committee for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (2019-20 association year) and chair of that same committee in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 association years.

Allison brings more than a decade of experience in workforce development. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Public and Environmental Affairs and an MBA, she has built her career within Indiana’s public workforce system through leadership roles at both the regional and state levels. As Chief Workforce Officer, she helps guide Indiana’s workforce strategy, advancing initiatives that strengthen service delivery, support employers, and expand opportunities for Hoosiers across the state.

Previously serving as Associate Chief of Performance and Innovation, Allison worked closely with agency leadership to drive our statewide workforce ecosystem, improve operational performance, and support implementation of high-impact initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for translating strategy into action, building strong partnerships, and leading with a focus on innovation, outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Her commitment to workforce development is deeply personal. Introduced to this work early in life through her father’s dedication to serving workers and communities, Allison developed an early appreciation for the impact of workforce programs and public service. That foundation continues to shape her leadership and fuels her commitment to making a meaningful difference for Hoosiers across the state.

Holly Newell serves the agency as the Chief Unemployment Insurance (UI) Officer, leading the team responsible for supporting the stability of Indiana's workforce and communities by ensuring the unemployment insurance (UI) program is administered effectively and efficiently. Funded entirely by employer taxes, the UI program provides qualified workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own timely, temporary benefits to help bridge the gap between jobs.

Holly joined DWD in 2018 as Deputy General Counsel. She also has served as Associate General Counsel and Associate Chief of UI Operations. Prior to joining DWD, Holly worked for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, focusing on consumer protection matters, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, where she regulated pari-mutuel horse racing in the state.

Born and raised in Iowa, Holly graduated from the University of Iowa before receiving her law degree from the University of South Carolina and Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University.

Holly and her sports editor husband, Nat, have two daughters and three cats. Holly enjoys yoga, creative writing, gardening, and decorating cookies.

As General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Elizabeth Green leads DWD’s Legal Division in providing agency-wide legal advice and representation. Beth also served as the Interim Commissioner in 2025, Ethics Officer for DWD from 2018 through 2023, and was the 2021 recipient of the Inspector General’s Award for Excellence. Prior to joining DWD, Beth spent 12 years in private practice at Riley Bennett Egloff LLP focusing on transactional work and commercial litigation.

Born and raised in eastern Canada, Beth received her B.A. in Psychology from Marshall University and graduated cum laude from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2005. In 2017, Beth was recognized as an Indianapolis Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow and served on the IndyBar Professionalism Committee for several years. Beth also served on the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal future and is an active member of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.

Elizabeth Presson serves as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), where she leads agency-wide strategy across marketing, brand, media relations, executive communications, legislative engagement, and stakeholder affairs.

With experience spanning public sector leadership and global defense and aerospace organizations, Elizabeth brings a disciplined, outcomes-driven approach to narrative strategy and organizational positioning. Prior to DWD, she held senior communication roles at V2X, Vertex Aerospace, and Raytheon. Her background in defense and advanced manufacturing informs her ability to translate technical, policy, and operational initiatives into clear, compelling messages.

Joining DWD in 2024, Elizabeth has lead communications tied to unemployment insurance, workforce innovation, apprenticeship expansion, employer engagement initiatives, and cross-agency collaboration within Indiana's Office of Commerce.