October 31, 2025 // Diocese

Smith to Lead St. Joseph Community Foundation

Todays Catholic

The board of birectors and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ announce the appointment of Matt Smith, Ph.D., as the next chief executive officer of the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation (SJCHF) in Fort Wayne. Smith will begin work at the local foundation on December 1 and formally assume full leadership responsibilities on January 1, 2026.

Smith will replace Meg Distler, who retires at the end of the year. Distler has served the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, a religious order of Catholic sisters, since 1993, when she began working at St. Joe Hospital, founded in 1869 by the Poor Handmaids as the first hospital in Fort Wayne, dedicated to the care of those most in need. The hospital changed ownership in 1998, and the Poor Handmaids used the proceeds to establish the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, led by Distler.

Today, the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation continues this legacy by collaborating with more than 100 community nonprofits, each positioned to serve Allen County’s most vulnerable residents through grant investments and supportive programming. Currently, the foundation prioritizes assistance for pregnant women, infants, and immigrant populations.

Matt Smith

“We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Matt Smith as he steps into this meaningful role,” said Sister Shirley Bell, province leader of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. “The Foundation was born out of our deep commitment to the health and dignity of every person, and we are grateful to see that mission carried forward with such integrity. We also express our profound thanks to Meg Distler for her 32 years of faithful service. Her leadership has been a living expression of our foundress St. Katharina Kasper’s vision to joyfully serve those most in need with humility and openness to the Spirit.”

Bill Ehinger, chairman of the foundation’s board, said: “The board of directors is immensely grateful to Meg for her leadership and stewardship of the ministry.  After a thorough search process, the board of directors is thrilled to welcome Matt Smith as our next CEO. We are committed and looking forward to working with him to continue this important work to compassionately respond to the needs of the vulnerable in our community.”

Smith shared his enthusiasm, saying: “I am honored and humbled to continue the legacy of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in Fort Wayne as CEO of the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. I also want to thank Meg Distler for her outstanding dedication to the mission of the foundation in serving in her role for many years. I am excited to work with the board and our partners to continue to serve those most in need throughout the community.”

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 and executive roles at the University of Saint Francis. ​

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Smith is deeply committed to community service. He currently serves on the board of the Foellinger Foundation and the parish council of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, among other leadership roles. ​