1 You’re still early in the job, having assumed full leadership on Jan. 1. What has surprised you most about health needs in Allen County so far?
Smith: Prior to the foundation, I was aware of the relationship between ZIP codes in Allen County and social determinants of health. However, as I am developing an understanding of our grantees’ work in the community and through experiences such as attending the Prenatal and Infant Care Luncheon in December, the reality of that data becomes connected with people and their stories.
For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2017 to 2022, the U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.4 per 1,000 births, Indiana 7.16, Allen County 7.2, and the 46806 ZIP code was 11.4. Every one of those deaths represents a baby and a mother, and a family.
Understanding how individuals and families are affected by the disparities in access to medical care has made this work real for me. However, the number of organizations and people working to mitigate those disparities is both energizing and humbling.
2 St. Joseph focuses its grantmaking on a few clear priorities — prenatal and infant health, immigrants and refugees, nutrition and access to care. Looking ahead, where do you see the greatest risk of those needs outpacing the community’s current response?
Smith: With changes in federal and state funding and eligibility requirements for a number of programs in 2026, all these areas will be impacted in some way, putting people at risk for meeting basic needs like housing, food and access to medical care.
Like other philanthropic organizations, nonprofits and community leaders, we do not yet know the full impact of some of these changes. However, guided by our mission and the legacy of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and St. Katherina Kasper, the foundation will continue to serve the poor in body, mind and spirit to achieve quality health and wellness.
3 You’re stepping into a CEO role after serving in senior leadership positions in development. What has been hardest about that transition, particularly around delegation, decision-making and setting the tone for an organization with a strong identity?
Smith: As you note, we already have a strong identity and reputation in the community. This has been forged by the outstanding work of our previous CEO, Meg Distler. Maintaining our identity and mission is paramount to the foundation’s continued positive impact in Allen County.
Continuing this work while tailoring strategies and initiatives to emerging needs presents both challenges. Fortunately, the foundation has a fully engaged board and small but mighty team that works with me to do just that.
4 The foundation emphasizes dignity and whole-person care, not just services delivered. How should grantees demonstrate that in practical, measurable ways?
Smith: We seek to live out Gospel values and Catholic social teaching, which includes recognizing the life and dignity of each human person. Building relationships with our grantees and supporting their relationships with the populations they serve is a vital component to how and whom the foundation might fund.
In quantitative ways, organizations can measure short- and long-term outcomes of their programs. Complementing these quantitative measures, the qualitative measures reflected in the grantees’ stories and experiences demonstrate our emphasis on dignity and whole-person care.
5 A health foundation can fund programs, convene partners or push systems to change. Over the next few years, where do you see St. Joseph’s role leaning and why?
Smith: A portion of our mission statement reads “inspired by Gospel values and the spirit of St. Katharina Kasper, (the foundation) stewards resources to: Respond to community needs with grants; Leverage collaboration with community partners; and Engage in transformational initiatives.” With our board and staff, I am optimistic about the ability to do all three.
I am looking forward to identifying community needs where multiple entities can work together for the common good and improve the lives of those who live in Allen County.