
June 26, 2025 – The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) has announced the election of Dr. Dana Ray as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Dr. Ray has served the HICF board since 2018, joining the executive committee in 2020. Dr. Ray is the 9th HICF Board Chair in the organization’s 25-year history, succeeding outgoing chair Kris Lutt.
Dr. Ray, a Southern Illinois University School of Medicine graduate, is a board-certified physician specializing in family and addiction medicine. She has previously held the position of Chief Medical Officer at a federally qualified health center and served as the medical director for an inpatient and outpatient substance abuse clinic. Dr. Ray is a trained executive coach and mentor to fellow physicians and advanced practice providers. Her contributions have been honored with the Innovative Research in Primary Care Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Dr. Ray’s leadership extends beyond the field of medicine, as she has served in public office, community board service, and spiritual ministry. She is an Army Reserve veteran and a former member of the Decatur City Council for over ten years; her current position as Campus Pastor at Life Changers Church and her involvement in several community boards demonstrate her commitment to serving her community. Despite her numerous professional and social achievements, Dr. Ray is most proud of her role as wife to Donald Dotson and mother to their children.
After more than 20 years, Dr. Ray now has her own direct primary care medical practice, Proven Medical, designed to serve everyone, especially those without insurance. Dr. Ray’s diverse roles as a physician, executive coach, and pastor allow her to positively impact multiple areas of people’s lives.
“My vision for the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation aligns with a statement that captures its essence: it is a homegrown community foundation: rooted in the community, nurtured by the community, and supported by the community,” said Dr. Ray. “During my time as board chair, I aim to advance inclusive, thoughtful philanthropy that drives forward the ambitions of our communities, fosters new partnerships and attracts more resources to fund efforts that help our three-county region thrive.”
HICF board members meet bi-monthly to review and approve grants, oversee the foundation’s finances, and develop creative and effective ways of empowering fund holders, nonprofits and charitably inclined citizens to make good happen in central Illinois.
“I want to thank Kris Lutt for his dedication and leadership. As Board Chair the past two years, he continued our board’s long tradition of high caliber leadership and guidance to maintain an engaged and diverse board,” said Natalie Beck, HICF CEO. “I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Ray as our new Board Chair. She has proven to be a changemaker and force for good in philanthropy. Importantly, she is a locally grown leader who has used her talent to serve in senior leadership roles in government, medical and nonprofit sectors. Her skills, vast network, and strategic mindset will help us continue building a stronger culture of philanthropy throughout the three-county region we serve.”