About

The Portage Foundation is a nonprofit, community corporation that acts as a “bridge” between donors and charitable activities that serve area residents.

Skeels Center Tutoring Session 2021 Portage Foundation Grant, About

Our Mission

The Portage Foundation is building a thriving and dynamic community for Portage County and the region. We inspire philanthropy, build endowments, impact causes and foster projects, and engage community leaders.

Meet Our Team

Mary Anne Zeman

Operations Manager

Email Mary Anne at mazeman@portagefoundation.org

Janice Simmons-Mortimer portrait

Janice Simmons- Mortimer

Executive Director

Email Janice at jsmortimer@portagefoundation.org

Position to be Filled

Outreach Manaaer

Email Janice at outreach@portagefoundation.org

The Portage Foundation office is located at:

6693 N. Chestnut Street, Suite 268-B, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

Office hours vary, so please contact us at 330-470-8950 to set an appointment.

Please continue to use the following address for all mailings: PO Box 623, Kent, OH 44240

Our Board of Trustees

Our team is led by trusted experts, professional advisors, business and nonprofit executives, and civic leaders intent on ensuring every donation does the most good.

Debbie Smeiles
Board President
Realtor 
Cutler Real Estate
Kent, Ohio

Anne Jorgensen
Board Vice President
Advancement Associate
St Vincent St Mary High School
Akron, Ohio

Angela DeJulius, MD, MPH
Board Secretary
Medical Director
Kent City Health Department
Family Physician, AxessPointe Community Health Centers
Adjunct Faculty
KSU College of Public Health
Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Linda Zucca
Board Treasurer
Emerita Professor of Accounting
Kent State University
Kent, Ohio

Lissa Berry
Retired
Huron, Ohio

Amy Adams
Retired Director of School-Based Learning
Community Action Council
Ravenna, Ohio

Denise Baba
Communications and Public Advocacy Advisor
PARTA
Streetsboro, Ohio

Colin Boyle
Executive Vice President
Hometown Bank
Kent, Ohio

Steve Fisher
Sales Representative
Post Glover Resistors
Madison, Indiana

Beth Padisak
Co-Owner
Deerfield Ag Services, Inc.
Deerfield, Ohio

Brent Pfeiffer
Marketing Education Coordinator/DECA Advisor
Theodore Roosevelt High School
Kent, Ohio 

Marilyn Sessions
PR & Marketing Officer
Hometown Bank
Kent, Ohio

Emeritus Trustees:

Michael Bakes

Marjorie L. Conner

Joann Hayes

Eric Hummel

Ralph Kletzien

Kevin T. Lewis

Your legacy, OUR mission.

Create a lasting impact on your most cherished causes while gaining tax benefits for yourself. Contact us today and help build a brighter future.