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Alumni Spotlight
MOLLY DUVENECK SMITH ’88 RETURNS TO ACADEMY
In August, Molly Duveneck Smith ’88 returned to her alma mater to serve as the Academy’s director of advancement. Her experience in school leadership began on the board of trustees at St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School in Tampa, including a term as the board chair from 2011-2014. Smith then served as Jesuit High School’s first annual fund director from 2014-2021. Jesuit’s annual fund doubled in size during this time, growing from $1.1 million to $2.2 million. After graduating from the Academy in 1988, Smith earned a marketing degree from Southern Methodist University. She and her husband, Brian Smith, have three children: their daughter, Margaret, a current junior at the Academy, and sons, Matthew and Andrew, both in college.
What do you enjoy about fundraising?
It’s rewarding to build relationships with the incredible people in our school community — not only our donors but also our students. I’m humbled by the generosity of our alumni, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends to help provide an academically rigorous, Catholic formation for our students. My role is to facilitate that support, and that’s an immense privilege.
Why is it important for people to give back?
A donor positively impacts a young person’s life. An Academy education is a gift that sets a strong foundation for one’s life, and you see clear proof of that in the lives of our alumni. Since tuition doesn’t cover the full cost of educating a student, we turn to our community and respectfully ask them to partner with us in serving these wonderful children.
What do you love most about being back at the Academy?
I love being around the students. Since my office is in the high school, I can interact with our young ladies. They are not only sharp and intelligent but also so engaging. My fondest memories of my high school years at AHN revolve around laughter. I’ll walk past specific classrooms and vividly remember a cherished friend, Sister, teacher or lesson, and I smile to myself.
How has the Academy changed since you were a student? How is it the same?
While the beautiful Bayshore views endure, the interior spaces feel quite different. My office is in the former boarding area of the 4th floor, which was closed off to us in the 1980s, so it still feels like I’m trespassing! What has not changed is the thoughtful dedication of the Sisters, faculty and staff to their students. Schools are a wonderful place to be. The growth from pre-K through 8th grade is a joy to witness. I appreciate the genuine way in which our high school students conduct themselves — that’s the beauty of a single-gender setting for grades 9-12. Brian and I are thankful our daughter (and our sons) had that formation in strong Catholic schools.
What are your goals for the Academy as the Director of Advancement?
As an alumna and a school parent, I have a sincere devotion to the Academy. Our school has faithfully served the youth of Tampa for 140 years. It is our responsibility to build on the foundation that the Sisters established and continue to serve the students entrusted to us. We’ll focus on growing our fundraising revenues and Legacy Society planned giving program, as well as strengthen relationships with our alumni near and far. Please let me know how I can assist you from campus. I’d love to hear from you. Molly Smith can be reached at 813-835-3522 or via email at msmith@holynamestpa.org.
