Alliance Introduces Dwight Smith, the Foundation’s Newest Board Member

Alliance Healthcare Foundation is thrilled to introduce our newest board member, Dwight D. Smith, Esq. Dwight has served on Alliance’s audit committee since May 2010 and brings great understanding of the foundation’s work and a strong commitment to our community to his new role. In joining the board, Dwight will also join the Program Committee.

Dwight is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Neighborhood House Association (NHA), San Diego County’s largest multi-purpose human services agency. He joined NHA in 2006 and is responsible for the organization’s overall legal affairs, providing business support and advice to the board and senior management teams and managing contract administration, corporate governance and human resources functions.

Dwight was drawn to Alliance because of the foundation’s emphasis on facilitating collaborations between organizations. “Alliance’s grantmaking strategies reduce duplication and overhead by encouraging sharing resources and partnering for greater impact. The foundation’s commitment to improving health through strategies that emphasize innovation as well as simplicity and effectiveness, have compelled me to participate.”

20 years ago, when his wife gave birth prematurely to twin boys, Dwight experienced firsthand the importance of an interconnected, holistic healthcare system. “Without that web of services, medical and social, we wouldn’t have known how to get through that time. I remember being deeply struck by imagining families who had to try and make it through without that access to care.” Dwight made a personal commitment to doing what he could to improve access to healthcare for everyone, which has manifested into a legacy of community service.

Dwight holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from DePaul University. He is a member of the California Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, National Bar Association and the Association of Corporate Counsel. Dwight has also served as an advisor to charter schools in San Diego, California.