COLUMBIA—The 2017 board of trustees’ officers for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina includes: Gerald Smalls, chair; Karen Smith, vice-chair; Lisa Bernardin, secretary; and Andy Folsom, treasurer.
Gerald Smalls, chair, 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.
Prior to his current position, Smalls 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, Smalls served as president of the Student Bar Association.
Karen S. Smith, vice-chair, 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 regions overall strategic and market performance. Her territory includes Richland, Lexington, Aiken, Newberry, Kershaw, Fairfield, and York counties.
Smith 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, Smith serves on the board of trustees for EdVenture Children’s Museum and The Midlands Leaders Business Group. She was named one of Columbia’s 50 Most Influential People 2012 and was a PalmettoCenter for Women 2012 TWIN Nominee.
Smith 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, 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 11th Judicial Circuit in Lexington, Bernardin 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; and court document and docket preparation. She supervised attorneys, investigators and support staff — including interviewing, training, and evaluating personnel — and had regular appearances in circuit court and Lexington County Juvenile Drug Court, plus 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, Bernardin is involved with the Lexington County Youth Arbitration Program as a volunteer, Richland County Youth Arbitration Program as a volunteer, and Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center as a board member. She is married to John A. (Andy) Bernardin Jr. and has two children, Elizabeth and Christopher.
John Anderson (Andy) Folsom, treasurer, is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University Of South Carolina School of Law. He is an assistant general counsel at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in Columbia. Prior to joining the law department at BlueCross BlueShield, he worked as a corporate attorney for Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta.
Folsom 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 Fourth of July. He also serves on the advisory board of HomeWorks, chairs the attorney campaign for the United Way of the Midlands, and joined the board of the United Way in July 2013. He is also very involved with Washington and Lee, serving as the co-chair of the alumni admissions program for the Midlands and as a class agent.
He is a member of Shandon United Methodist Church. He and his wife Lucy have one son, Anderson. He enjoys Gamecock sports, golf, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
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.