Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina elects 2018 officers
January 10, 2018
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina announces its 2018 board of trustees’ officers: Gerald Smalls, Chair; Karen Smith, Vice-Chair; Lisa Bernardin, Secretary; and Andy Folsom, Treasurer.
Gerald Smalls (Chair)
Mr. Smalls received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from South Carolina State University, a Master of Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law, a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center and completed post doctorate work at Harvard University’s Institute for Management. He currently serves as dean and Professor of Law and Accounting at the Benedict College School of Business in Columbia, S.C.
Prior to his current position, he served as General Counsel/Chief of Staff to the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services and as an associate with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.
While attending Howard University, Mr. Smalls served as president of the Student Bar Association.
Karen S. Smith (Vice Chair)
Mrs. Smith is the Midlands and Piedmont Regional Vice President for TD Bank. As Regional Vice President, she is responsible for the successful operational management of commercial banking while providing leadership and guidance for the region’s overall strategic and market performance. Her territory includes Richland, Lexington, Aiken, Newberry, Kershaw, Fairfield, and York counties.
Karen is a career banker with over 29 years in the industry, primarily in commercial banking. She has been with TD Bank for nine years in Florence and Columbia. During her career, she has had the opportunity to spend several years in Operations, Personnel, Wealth Management, Retail and Credit; allowing her to gain a broader view and insight into Banking.
A community advocate and volunteer, Karen serves on the Board of Trustees for EdVenture Children’s Museum and The Midlands Leaders Business Group. She was recently named as one of Columbia’s 50 Most Influential People 2012 and was a PalmettoCenter for Women 2012 TWIN Nominee.
Karen is a graduate of Clemson University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Administrative Management. She is married to Johnny Smith and they have four children, Julia, Claire, Mason, and Mary Catherine.
Lisa Garnett Bernardin (Secretary)
Lisa Garnett Bernardin is a former Juvenile Justice attorney with the Children’s Law Center in the role of Supervision of Juvenile Justice section, including statewide support and training for juvenile justice professionals.
Previously an assistant and then Deputy Solicitor in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Lexington, South Carolina, Lisa was responsible for the Family Court Division and prosecution and disposition of juvenile cases, including evaluation of charges, research of legal issues, and referrals to diversion programs; assignment of cases; coordination of cases with law enforcement, related agency personnel, victims, and witnesses; court document and docket preparation. She supervised attorneys, investigators and support staff – including interviewing, training, and evaluating personnel and had regular appearances in Eleventh Circuit Family Court and Lexington County Juvenile Drug Court – meetings and case reviews with family court judges, defense attorneys and agency personnel.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law/Graduate School, Lisa is involved with the Lexington County Youth Arbitration Program volunteer, Richland County Youth Arbitration Program volunteer, and Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center board member. She is married to John A. (Andy) Bernardin, Jr. and has two children, Elizabeth and Christopher.
John Anderson (Andy) Folsom (Treasurer)
Mr. Folsom is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He works at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) as AVP, Strategic Investments and M&A, and also serves as President of Companion Capital Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BCBSSC. Prior to this role, Andy worked in the Law Department at BCBSSC as AVP and Deputy General Counsel. Before joining BCBSSC, he worked as a corporate attorney for Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta.
Andy also participates in numerous community and civic activities. Currently, he is the President and a Board Member of Salute from the Shore, which was organized to pay tribute to the men and women of the military on the 4th of July. He also serves as a Board member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Midlands, and Riverbanks Zoo Society. He is also very involved with Washington and Lee, serving as the Co-Chair of the Alumni Admissions Program for the Midlands and as Vice President of the Columbia Chapter of the W&L Alumni Association.
He is a member of Shandon United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Lucy, have one daughter and three sons.
About the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.
