Matt Smith, PhD. joined the Foundation as Chief Executive Officer in December 2025.

With decades of leadership experience across Catholic social services, higher education, and philanthropy, Smith brings both strategic insight and a heart for community to the Foundation. Most recently, he served as Chief Development Officer for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, where he helped expand impact through mission-aligned partnerships and development initiatives.

His leadership experience includes serving as Director of Strategic Alliances at the Our Sunday Visitor Institute for Catholic Innovation, where he expanded the OSV Innovation Challenge from 250 to 1,000 applicants and designed a nationwide business startup accelerator to inspire impactful church-related programs. Smith also held executive roles at the University of Saint Francis, including Vice President of Institutional Advancement, where he secured $33 million in capital campaign funding and led strategic initiatives to integrate the university into Fort Wayne’s economic development efforts.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Smith is deeply committed to community service. He currently serves on the Parish Council of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and has served on the Boards of the Foellinger Foundation, Central YMCA, Science Central, among other leadership roles. He has been married to Kari for over twenty years and they have two daughters.

Smith holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Purdue University, a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from DePauw University, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of San Diego.