By Myka Kennedy Stephens August 4, 2025
We are honored to have two exceptional women leaders newly join our Advisory Board for terms that began in July 2025: Monica Dawkins-Smith and Caran Ware Joseph. They are joining Elizabeth Palmer Bennett, who is starting her second term.
The purpose of the Advisory Board is to help assure objectivity and promote ethical practices. Board members are asked to serve two-year terms and meet two to four times per year to advise the CEO. As part of Fosgail’s status as a benefit LLC, the Advisory Board will be actively involved in our annual assessment of overall social and environmental performance using the GRI Standards.
Meet our Advisory Board members:
Monica Dawkins-Smith
The Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith is an ordained minister (semi-retired) in the United Church of Christ (UCC), and currently serves as the Senior Interim Minister at the historic East View UCC in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Prior to retiring, she served on staff at the UCC National Offices as the Executive Associate in Wider Church Ministries. In this role, she assisted with staff development, communication, operations, overall strategy development, and fund development for the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. Dr. Dawkins-Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary.
Caran Ware Joseph
Caran Ware Joseph, JD, is Chief Operating Officer of Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. She began her career practicing labor and employment law in Chicago, then transitioned into ministry serving in various capacities in secular and church leadership. At Iliff she also serves as an adjunct faculty member, the Title VI/Title IX Coordinator, and Program Director for the Congregational Connections Program funded by a Lilly Foundation Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northwestern University, a Juris Doctor from The University of Michigan Law School, a Master of Arts in Music Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity with distinction and certificate in Justice and Peace from Iliff School of Theology.
Elizabeth Palmer Bennett
Elizabeth Palmer Bennett, CPA, CFE, has recently been named vice president of operations and CFO of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools. She serves as a peer reviewer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as for the Association of Theological Schools. In June 2022, Bennett was elected to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Association of Theological Schools. Prior to her start at the In Trust Center, she has served in senior leadership roles at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, and Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Bennett has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Delaware, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Lebanon Valley College, and is a Certified Paralegal, Certified Public Accountant, and a Certified Fraud Examiner.