Steering Committee
The Steering Committee of the Appalachia Funders Network is the main governing body and is responsible for the growth, development, and well-being of the Network.
It consists of a set group of influential local, state, regional, international, federal, public, and private grantmakers and philanthropic investors who are working collectively to guide the overarching roles, activities, and impacts of the Network. They attend bi-monthly conference calls and serve on at least one ad-hoc committee.
2026 Steering Committee co-chairs
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Garrett Blaize
Executive Director, Appalachian Community Fund
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Laura Nixon
Senior Program Director, Educational Foundation of America
2026 Steering Committee Members
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Annie Forrest
Appalachian Ecosystem Lead,
Roberts Impact Investing Fund
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Ashley Ahlers
Director, Partnerships and Communication,
John Rex Endowment
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Baylen Campbell
Director of Programs & Partnerships,
Invest Appalachia
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Cynthia Brown
Former Board Chair,
Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
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Heather Parlier
Senior Vice President of Operations,
Dogwood Health Trust
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Jeff Mansour
Program Director,
Thompson Charitable Foundation
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Kerry Pigman
Executive Director,
Athens County Foundation and Representative of Invest Appalachia
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Kristin Walker Collins
Executive Director,
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
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Peter Dolkart
Community Development Regional Manager,
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Stephanie Randolph
Managing Director,
Purple Tiger Impact, LLC & Cassiopeia Foundation
STAFF
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Ryan M. Eller
Executive Director
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Jess Mullins Fullen
Programs and Learning Manager
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Melody Lutz
Research and Data Coordinator
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Kalista Pepper
Membership and Network Development Coordinator
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