Saint Agnes welcomes Sontaya Rose Schmidt to Board of Directors
January 22, 2026
We are proud to welcome Sontaya Rose Schmidt to the Saint Agnes Medical Center Board of Directors.
A lifelong Fresno County resident, Sontaya is deeply rooted in the Central Valley and widely known for the relationships she has built through decades of work in local media and public service. Her career has always centered on telling meaningful stories, building trust, and serving the community she calls home—values that align closely with the mission of Saint Agnes.
Sontaya has been connected to Saint Agnes for several years. Since 2022, she has served on the Mission and Community Benefit Committee, where she has lent her voice, insight, and communications expertise to support community-focused initiatives. She has been a strong advocate for Saint Agnes’ philanthropic efforts, including Fund a Need, and has participated in important conversations around community partnerships such as the Poverello House collaboration at the Holy Cross Health and Wellness Center and Clinic. More than her professional experience, Sontaya’s connection to Saint Agnes is deeply personal.
The power of compassion
Sontaya's father had a love for Saint Agnes. When his cancer returned, he was clear about where he wanted to receive care. He insisted on Saint Agnes.
During his time in our Emergency Department and throughout his care, the compassion, dignity, and attention shown by every colleague and physician left a lasting impression on Sontaya and her family. Those moments reinforced what Saint Agnes stands for: expert care delivered with humanity, especially during life’s most difficult chapters. After her father’s passing, Sontaya chose to share her family’s story in support of a fundraising effort to expand and strengthen the Saint Agnes Emergency Department.
She spoke not only about the growing needs of the Central Valley, but about her belief that more people deserve access to the same level of compassionate, expert care her father received. That belief continues to guide her involvement with Saint Agnes today. Watch her heartfelt story, below:
A legacy of communication
Sontaya Rose Schmidt currently serves as Director of Communications for the City of Fresno, where she leads media relations, social media, and strategic communications for city initiatives and priorities. In this role, she also helps communicate Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer’s One Fresno vision, ensuring clear and consistent engagement with residents. Before joining the City of Fresno, Sontaya spent more than 24 years as an Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist, covering major news stories across the Central Valley, California, and the nation. She is widely respected for her thoughtful, fair, and compassionate reporting.
We are honored to welcome Sontaya to the Board of Directors and grateful for the perspective, heart, and commitment to community she brings to Saint Agnes.
To view the full Saint Agnes Medical Center Board of Directors and learn more about Sontaya’s professional background, visit our Board of Directors page.