2025-2026 Board of Directors
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Marion Community Foundation is a local organization governed by a board of directors — 15 dedicated volunteers who live or work in Marion County. The Board is comprised of attorneys, educators, financial experts, and business professionals who live and work in the Marion area and have the community’s best interest at heart. Directors serve 3-year terms which are renewable.
Kevin Smith is Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Investment committee and Community Grants subcommittee. Kevin is a retired bank president, formerly with The First Citizens National Bank.
Grant Gates is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Audit, Grants, and Outreach & Engagement committees and Community Grants subcommittee. Grant is the Wholesale Territory Manager for Morral Companies.
Spencer Mathews is the Secretary of the Board of Directors, having served since 2021. He is on the Scholarship and Outreach & Engagement committees. He has been the General Manager of Mathews Ford Marion automobile dealership since 2005.
Hon. Matthew Frericks is the Board Treasurer, having joined the Board of Directors in 2022. He serves on our Investment and Audit committees and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Matt is a judge with the Marion County Court of Common Pleas.
Jody Demo-Hodgins is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a member since 2019. She represents the Board on the Grants and Audit committees, chairs the Community Grants subcommittee, and co-chairs the Racial Equity & Justice grants subcommittee. Jody is the former executive director of the Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMH).
Dr. Deepika Bathini joined the Board of Directors in 2023. She serves on the Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Deepi is an internal medicine hospitalist and Vice President of Clinical Affairs with OhioHealth at Marion General Hospital.
Dr. Kathy Clark joined the Board in 2023. She serves on the Grants committee and Community Grants subcommittee. Kathy is retired from the Marion Family Court and currently serving part-time as a social worker with The Tomorrow Center in Cardington.
Jessa Gary joined the Board of Directors in 2025. She is an estate planning attorney and partner with the Columbus firm of Isaac Wiles; she serves Marion clients of the former Bartram & Bartram practice.
Jacob Johnston joined the Board of Directors in 2025. He has been with Verne Hart Insurance Agency since 2018 and as vice president since 2021.
Scott Knowles joined the Board of Directors in 2017. He serves on our Investment Committee. Scott is the CEO and General Counsel for Sims Brothers Recycling in Marion.
Jennifer Lawson joined the Board of Directors in 2024 and serves on the TEACH Grants and Racial Equity & Justice Grants committees. She is the Director of Programs and Student Success at Tri-Rivers Career Center and owner of Finding Center boutique in downtown Marion.
Dr. Ryan McCall joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He serves on our Investment committee. Ryan is the President of Marion Technical College..
Pastor Jackie Peterson joined the Board of Directors in 2022. She serves on our Racial Equity & Justice subcommittee. Jackie is the pastor of Logos Christian Ministries in Marion and the International Chaplin for the Women’s Department for Kingdom Connection Fellowship International.
Tom Schifer joined the Board of Directors in 2022. He serves on our Grants committee and Community Grants and TEACH Grants subcommittees. Tom is an architect in the Marion area.
Erin Slater joined the Board of Directors in 2022. She serves on our Scholarship committee and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Erin is a school advisor at TRECA Digital Academy and a fitness coach at Pure Function CrossFit in Marion.
2025-26 Board Committees & Programs
EXECUTIVE and GOVERNANCE & POLICIES
(includes nominating duties and Gift Acceptance committee)
Kevin Smith – Chair
Grant Gates – Vice Chair
Spencer Mathews – Secretary
Matt Frericks – Treasurer
Jody Demo-Hodgins – Immediate Past Chair
INVESTMENT
Megan Queen, Chair (non-board member)
Matt Frericks
Charlie Garvin (non-board member)
Justin Hamper (non-board member)
Scott Knowles
Ryan McCall
Kevin Smith
SCHOLARSHIP
Kathy Goodman, Chair
Katie Grimes (non-board member)
Sharol Herr (non-board member)
Sue Jacob (non-board member)
Ruth Johnston (non-board member)
Spencer Mathews
Jean Smith (non-board member)
Kevin Smith
OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
Karen Ream (non-board member)
Bev Ford (non-board member)
Mike Stuckey (non-board member)
AUDIT
Kevin Smith, Chair
Matt Frericks (Board Treasurer)
Jody Demo-Hodgins
Grant Gates
AMERICA 250
Mike Augenstein
Mike Bodine
Kathleen Clemons-Keller
Bill Collins
Mark Davis
Sherry Hall
Heidi Jones
Wendy Peirie
Diane Watson
Wendy Weichenthal
Valerie Wigton
Allen Wilson
Brandi Wilson
Randy Winland
GRANTS
Jody Demo-Hodgins, Chair
Kathy Clark
Grant Gates
Tom Schifer
Kevin Smith
COMMUNITY GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Jody Demo-Hodgins, Chair
Kathy Clark
Grant Gates
Matt Primmer (non-board member)
Tom Schifer
Kevin Smith
Nicolle Willis (non-board member)
TEACH GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Nicolle Willis, Chair
Rhonda Dettra (non-board member)
Christine Gibson (non-board member)
Jennifer Lawson
Stan Nicol (non-board member)
Matt Primmer (non-board member)
Tom Schifer
RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Jody Demo-Hodgins, Co-Chair
Nicolle Willis, Co-Chair
Matt Frericks
Jennifer Lawson
Jackie Peterson
Erin Slater
Deepika Bathini
Candace Floyd (non-board member)
Dana Martin (non-board member)
Evelyn Olivos Lisiecki (non-board member)
YOUTH ENGAGED IN PHILANTHROPY
Kate McCleese (staff)
Learn More: About | Staff | Contact | FAQ’s | Audit & 990
