The Portage Foundation announced Tuesday that Scott Taylor will take over as the community foundation’s permanent executive director starting June 6.
Taylor’s hiring is the latest in the foundation’s move to fill vacant leadership spots, following the naming of Mary Anne Zeman as operations manager, effective April 25, and Janice Simmons-Mortimer as outreach manager, effective April 1.
Taylor becomes the foundation’s first permanent executive director since Lindsey Loftus stepped down from the position in July 2021 after nearly a year with the Portage Foundation. Toby Ann Weber served as interim executive director following the departure of Loftus.
Taylor most recently served as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley, where his efforts included a successful endowment campaign and organizational restructuring. Taylor also held leadership positions in YMCA organizations in Ohio and New York.
Much of Loftus’s tenure as executive director was centered around the foundation’s Covid-19 response, primarily raising money for organizations and individuals in urgent need because of the pandemic. Portage Foundation Board of Trustees President Debbie Smeiles said Taylor will bring the same type of dynamic leadership to the foundation.
“We’re pleased to have someone with Scott’s executive expertise and fundraising background as our leader for the foundation,” she said in a statement. “Scott will bring both stability and growth to the foundation, allowing us to fulfill our mission for the residents of Portage.”
Zeman also brings extensive experience in organizational management to the foundation, having served most recently as office manager for Sto-Kent Physical Therapy in Kent. Simmons-Mortimer brings a strong background in marketing and small-business operations to her position as outreach manager.
Since its creation in 1997, the Portage Foundation’s philanthropy mission has grown to include more than $8 million in endowments under management, with nearly $100,000 in grants and scholarships awarded annually.
Tom Hardesty is a Portager sports columnist. He was formerly assistant sports editor at the Record-Courier and author of the book Glimpses of Heaven.