Directors / Advisory Council

Board of Directors
Tom Smith, co-founder and co-director
Tom retired from full time employment and spends much of his time on KSF projects, locally and nationally. He is the author of six books, the most recent one being A Balanced Life: Nine Strategies for Coping with the Mental Health Problems of a Loved One. His previous book is The Tattered Tapestry, the story of our family’s search for peace with bipolar disorder and suicide. He is an avid, life-long sports fan, with most of his loyalty going to St. Louis teams, especially the 2006 World Series Champion Cardinals. In 1966 he adopted the motto, “Bash On, Regardless”, which is useful once again in his work for the Karla Smith Foundation.

Fran Smith, co-founder and co-director
Fran is a former teacher, counselor, and principal. After forty years in education she retired in June of 2004. She volunteers as a tutor in the Adult Literacy Program, and devotes a lot of time and energy to the Karla Smith Foundation. She enjoys coaching people who come to her as they work through difficult life situations. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, doing puzzles, playing bridge, gardening, and reading.

Kevin Smith, co-founder and co-director
Kevin works in Business and Management Consulting for the largest consulting company in the world, Accenture. He has lived in the St. Louis area since graduating from Saint Louis University in 1998 and moved to Fairview Heights, IL in 2008. He is married to Emily, who supports KSF through her time, talent, and dedication to the annual dinner auction. They have a son, Luke, born in May 2008. Kevin is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf, tennis, and basketball.

Emily Smith, Director of Development and Marketing
Emily became the first part-time employee for KSF in January 2010.  Her responsibilities include:  KSF Fundraising Chairperson, event and awareness planning, media and advertising relations, corporate sponsorships, and the KSF liaison to the national BringChange2Mind campaign, where she serves as their Head of Volunteers.  Emily and Karla were best childhood friends growing up in same neighborhood in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  Emily holds a double-major in English and Biology from UMKC and enjoys reading, traveling, and being a full-time mom.

Advisory Council Members (current)
Jaye Coers – Counselor, O’Fallon School District
Heidi Dee – Community Representative, Allsup, Inc.
Mike Fitzgerald – Reporter, Belleville News Democrat
Rev. Bill Hitpas - Pastor; St. Nicholas
Bruce Holland - President, Holland Construction Services
Debbie Humphrey - Program Director; 708 Mental Health Board
Terri Klawonn - Case Management Supervisor; Chestnut Health Care
Pat Mathis - Legal; Mathis, Marifian, Richter & Grandy, Ltd
Bernadette Middeke - Advertising Manager, Belleville Messenger
Sue Neuharth - Administrator, Meredith Memorial
Fran Smith - KSF co-Director
Kevin Smith - KSF co-Director
Tom Smith - KSF co-Director

Advisory Council Members (previous)
Sharon Smith (2005-2007) - Fundraising Committee Chair; Karla's Aunt

Advisory Council Members (In Memorium)
Tom Mulhall (2005-2007) - Marketing Director; Our Lady of the Snows