Michael Smith

Operations & Program Officer
Duquesne U

Biographical Sketch: Michael A. Smith is the Operations and Program Officer at The Fine Foundation, a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, PA. Previously, he worked with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, La Roche University, Epiphany School, and the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, developing expertise in nonprofit management and institutional development. Michael received his Ph.D. in English from Duquesne University in 2020, where his dissertation focused on geocriticism, placemaking, and literature and culture that delimits the American railroad. He received his B.A. from Sacred Heart University and his M.A. at Boston College. Michael serves on the board of PA Humanities, on the Modern Language Association’s Committee on Honors and Awards, and on the finance committee of the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry. He has served on grant review panels with The Whiting Foundation and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.