Beverly Porter Smith brings a distinguished career spanning over two decades in not-for-profit business and financial management to her pivotal role as Chief Operating Officer at the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action Inc (PLCCA). Her journey at PLCCA began even before her recent appointment, having served as the Executive Vice President of Finance Administration from, where she was instrumental in ensuring the organization's seamless operations, overseeing critical internal finance and administrative functions, and establishing robust systems vital for organizational health and sustainable growth.

Mrs. Smith's deep-rooted passion for making a tangible impact in the lives of children and families, coupled with her unwavering commitment to fostering strong relationships and implementing positive strategies, initially drew her to PLCCA. From 1994 to 2010, she dedicated her talents to the organization, holding a series of influential positions, including Grants Compliance Officer, President/Chief Operating Officer (concurrently), Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice-President of Administration, and Director of Finance. This foundational experience at PLCCA, alongside her earlier professional contributions as an Accountant/Auditor for esteemed organizations such as McDonald's Corporation, Nalco Chemical Company, Loyola Medical Center, and JM Smucker from 1986 to 1994, laid the groundwork for her comprehensive expertise in financial stewardship and operational excellence.

Before returning to PLCCA in her current capacity, Mrs. Smith served with distinction under the leadership of Deloris Jordan at the James R. Jordan Foundation (JRJF) and James R. Jordan Foundation International (JRJFI). Her tenure there evolved from Finance and Human Resource Manager from 2010 - 2015 to Vice President in 2016, culminating in her role as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer from 2018 - 2021. In these capacities, she was responsible for establishing the operational controls, administrative procedures, and human systems necessary to drive organizational growth, financial stability, and operational efficiency. Her respectful, constructive, and energetic leadership style was pivotal in advancing JRJF/JRJFI’s strategic goals, particularly in furthering youth education and supporting families. Notably, she provided administrative oversight for the 2017 - 2020 strategic plan, revitalizing the foundation's mission and vision.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Smith has been a steadfast advocate for implementing and coordinating state and federal regulations within the not-for-profit sector, demonstrating profound expertise in financial forecasting, accounting, and internal controls. Her acumen was recognized nationally in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Head Start Review selected her as a Fiscal Federal

Reviewer. In this role, she audited agencies, identified strengths and weaknesses, and developed strategic resolutions. She has managed multi-fund operating budgets ranging from eight to ten million dollars, meticulously monitored over thirty programs for grant compliance, and developed fiscal reporting tools while directly supervising numerous department heads.

Mrs. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Concordia University, River Forest, IL, and has pursued additional certificates from Aurora University focusing on cultural diversity and emerging markets, as well as graduate coursework in Counseling from Lewis University. She is also a proud member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she received the Badge of Excellence Award from West Suburban community partners for her exemplary performance, accountability, integrity, and community outreach. Beverly Porter Smith is not just a leader; she is a dedicated force for positive change, deeply invested in the well-being and advancement of the communities she serves.