Roxanne Smith

Background

About Roxanne Smith

I’m a mission-driven nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in grant strategy, donor engagement, and strategic communications. As Director of Grants & Scholarships at the ULM Foundation, I manage $1M+ in annual grant funding and oversee 900+ scholarship awards, helping to expand access, equity, and excellence for students across Louisiana. My work blends data-informed stewardship with compelling storytelling. I write donor-centered content for ULM.edu and LinkedIn, manage ULM’s institutional LinkedIn presence, and support prospect identification through tools like Sales Navigator. I also help maintain CRM data integrity and provide backup support for our donor database. Earlier in my career, I led marketing and communications efforts across six offices for Fish & Richardson, one of the world’s top intellectual property law firms. I helped attorneys position themselves as thought leaders through PR campaigns, speaking engagements, digital content, and event representation. I also planned high-end recruiting and client events that attracted top talent and elevated brand visibility. I thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams and bring energy, empathy, and clarity to every project. I also advise ULM’s largest student group, the Nepalese Student Association, reflecting my commitment to inclusion and mentorship. Whether building donor relationships, securing funding, or amplifying institutional impact—I’m always focused on outcomes that move missions forward.