Empire Health Foundation
Zeke Smith
President
After a nationwide search, NPAG is pleased to announce that Zeke Smith has been selected as President of Empire Health Foundation. He will assume his role on October 1st.
A Portland, Oregon native, Smith has more than 25 years of senior management and leadership experience in strategic planning, community engagement and social justice, supported by a strong commitment to equity.
Most recently, Smith was Vice President of Programs for FoodCorps, a national nonprofit dedicated to connecting kids to healthy food in schools. Prior to FoodCorps, he served as Chief Impact Officer of the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, leading the effort to address childhood poverty and systemic inequities across the Portland Metropolitan region. In this role he brought diverse community partners together through increased funding, volunteerism and shared expertise to better the lives of children and families.
Smith’s career also includes tenure as Chief of Staff of Portland Public Schools, a district of almost 50,000 students, where he supported PK-12 strategic planning that led to an increase in graduation rates and a decrease in achievement gaps for students of color. Smith has been a Governor-appointed member of the Oregon Health Policy Board since 2013 and serves on the boards of the Native American Youth & Family Center and the Lowenstein Trust.