Zeke Smith

Zeke Smith serves as President of Empire Health Foundation and its affiliate organization, the Empire Health Community Advocacy Fund. Over the past 30 years, Zeke’s professional career has focused on strategic planning, community engagement and social justice, supported by a strong commitment to equity. His career includes tenure as Vice President of Programs for FoodCorps, a national nonprofit dedicated to connecting kids to healthy food in schools; Chief Impact Officer of the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, where he led the effort to address childhood poverty and systemic inequities across the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region; and 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. Zeke also serves on the board of the Lowenstein Trust and previously served as chair of the Governor-appointed Oregon Health Policy Board overseeing the Oregon Health Authority and the state healthcare system.