Love in Leadership: Spotlight on Dougal Hewitt
Our Love in Leadership series spotlights the transformative power of leadership rooted in compassion and community. This month, we sit down with Dougal Hewitt, chief mission and sponsorship officer for Providence, a leader who embodies the core values and missions of the St. Joseph Fund (SJF) and Providence.
We are grateful for Dougal’s leadership philosophy and his efforts to continue the legacy of caring for our dear neighbor without distinction as we work to build communities that are lively, hopeful, healthy, and just.
What inspired you to join the St. Joseph Fund Board?
I joined Providence St. Joseph Health in September of 2018. Throughout my years in Catholic healthcare, I have had a great deal of interest in how we can transform communities. While I had known a bit about the St Joseph Fund for quite a few years, I only came to the board about a year and a half ago. I was curious about SJF, and the more that I learned, the more interested I was in becoming a part of it. I deeply believe that it is not our place to change other people but to provide ways for others to improve their lives. We can’t change other people. We can help others in learning how to change their situation. We can support them by giving them tools to make their lives better. But ultimately, it’s upon each one of us to bring about transformation.
I love St Joseph Fund’s approach. They understand that nobody wants people to come into their community and tell them what to do and how to do it. SJF knows that the local people with the lived experience should lead the charge. That’s exactly what SJF does with its capacity-building work.
In addition to my interest in this work, I’ve been impressed with the evolution of its international response. SJF’s disaster response and resilience work is essential for Providence because our efforts are interconnected. I was drawn to St. Joseph Fund and how it builds on the legacy of the women who founded us, who saw what the needs were and sought to respond in ways that were appropriate for the times. SJF is critically important for us to continue to do this work.
What is one thing the St. Joseph Fund has accomplished during your tenure on the board?
My time with SJF has been very short, but I’ve seen two key accomplishments in the last two years. As I already mentioned, I am impressed by SJF’s international disaster response. We’ve clarified our role in terms of responding internationally to disaster relief. When I first joined SJF’s board, our system needed greater coordination with disaster response efforts. SJF has stepped up and done that with its disaster response and resilience strategy.
Another dimension that I like is the refinement of our identity, which has been occurring over the last year. We will always be known for community partnership. That partnership element is critically important, but the previous name, “The St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund,” was confusing for some people.
Gabby, the board, and the team have refocused us on our founding with the “St. Joseph Fund.” Its simplicity allows us to introduce SJF, and then people learn about its focus on community partnership. This strengthening of our identity links us back to the Sisters of St. Joseph, our foundresses, and invites people to explore how we can serve in partnership with the communities we serve.
What’s one thing you hope we can accomplish or continue within the next year?
Fortunately for our communities, Gabby and the team are already working on this. However, the health system is extensive, and many teams are engaged in different programs. I hope that SJF continues to leverage those other activities so that we can implement transformation while bringing more resources to the communities. We’re working more closely together with internal and external funders to do so. I’m hopeful that SJF can continue to look at ways to bring greater resources by bringing a more strategic focus to how we’re partnering with others internally and externally.
Thank you, Dougal, for offering your insights. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to the communities supported by SJF and Providence. To learn more about our exceptional board members, connect with us on LinkedIn or subscribe to Rooted in Love.
