Love in Leadership: Joe Lumarda
At the St. Joseph Fund, our impact is shaped by the people who carry forward the legacy of love, compassion, and justice. Joe Lumarda, Board Chair and our longtime partner, reflects on his deep connection to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the accomplishments he is proud of, and his hopes for the future. In his own words, Joe shares how leadership rooted in love also requires deep empathy, presence, and an unwavering commitment to community.
What inspired you to join the St. Joseph Fund Board?
It wasn’t so much inspiration as it was a call. Like many things in life, you may be inspired, but unless you’re called or given the opportunity, you can’t act on it. This was my second time serving on the board. I had served previously, so I was familiar with the work. But what made it even more special was being called not only to serve again, but to serve as Board Chair.
The connection between the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the health system, and the Lumarda family extends back many years. This role continues that legacy, and serving as a volunteer outside the system makes it even more meaningful.
From your perspective, what has been one of the St. Joseph Fund’s accomplishments during your tenure?
The most fulfilling accomplishment for me was seeing St. Joseph Fund expand from a local organization to a system-wide organization. Before the merger, we were part of St. Joseph Health, and SJF primarily served California. After the merger, we were curious about how SJF would serve communities within a much larger, seven-state system.
It wasn’t a given that they would grow or be sustained in this new structure. However, we worked to make sure it became something that reached across the entire system. Rebranding it as the St. Joseph Fund made it clear this was a legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. That legacy isn’t just local—it now spans the entire Providence system.
That change in name and scope was a way of saying, “We are not just a health system, we are a mission. We’re here for our communities, especially people experiencing poverty and the vulnerable.” Keeping that spirit alive is what it’s all about.
Looking ahead, what is one thing you hope we can accomplish or continue within the next year?
We’re in a tough time in healthcare, with changing policies, compensation challenges, and major inequities in society. The one thing I hope we can continue to do is stay rooted in our mission to care for the poorest of the poor.
Even though the system may be under pressure, we have to remember why the Sisters founded these hospitals and clinics. They didn’t wait for everything to be perfect—they saw a need and stepped in. I hope we can continue to remember who we are, who we’re here for, and make sure that even if there are barriers to care, we can still be present. That’s the heart of our work.
Reflecting on leadership and community healing, how do you see St. Joseph Fund’s approach evolving to support leaders in Providence and our grantee partnerships?
I have a very comfortable life. I don’t feel the hunger, or the pressure to make it day by day, or the complexity of wondering whether your job will still be there when you arrive.
A challenge of leadership is understanding and feeling what others are going through. A fellow board member on another foundation once said, “If we’re just pulling babies out of the river but not going upstream to find out why they’re in the water to begin with, we’re not doing enough.” That stayed with me.
I didn’t grow up with much. Both my parents were laborers. However, I always felt like the wealthiest person in the world, and that perspective helps. Still, I have to be continually reminded of the realities others face. That’s why I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and at the St. Francis Center in L.A. Alongside my work with St. Joseph Fund, I do everything I can to stay grounded and experience and feel the needs in our communities.
Leadership must come from a place of deep feeling and spiritual openness. We must be good stewards—not just of funds but of intention. That’s the only way leadership can be truly effective.
Joe’s reflections remind us that love in leadership means both remembering where we come from and opening our hearts to where others are. We’re grateful for his continued service, wisdom, and steady commitment to a vision where communities are more whole, more healed, and more able to flourish, hope, love, and grow. To learn more about our exceptional board members, connect with us on LinkedIn or subscribe to Rooted in Love.
