Joanna Smith

Joanna Smith has served in various roles at Optimae LifeServices for nearly two decades, providing care to one of Iowa’s most vulnerable populations.

Smith started at Optimae in 1997, when it was called ResCare, as an employment consultant and later served as an assistant program director and program director for Wapello and Davis counties. She currently is the regional director for the Southern Prairie Region, a position she has held since 2008.

Prior to Optimae, Smith served as the Director for Volunteer Services at the Easter Seal Society of Superior California and the volunteer coordinator of the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento. She also was a teacher’s aide at the State School for the Severely Handicapped and a nurse’s aide at Sunnyslope Extended Care Center.

Smith studied basic bible courses and child pedagogy at the Midwestern School of Evangelism and child development at the Sacramento City College in California.