Leadership

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 who are working collectively to guide the overarching roles, activities, and impacts of the Network. They attend monthly conference calls and serve on at least one working group or ad-hoc committee.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Co-Chairs of the AFN Steering Committee

  • Michelle Foster

    President and CEO, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation

  • Lora Smith

    Executive Director, Appalachian Impact Fund

2022 Steering Committee Members

  • Garrett Blaize

    Grants Manager, Appalachian Community Fund

  • Cynthia Brown

    Chairman of the Board, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation

  • Bonnie Blankenship

    Regional Outreach Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

  • Jeff Mansour

    Program Director, Thompson Charitable Foundation

  • Laura Nixon

    Senior Program Officer, Educational Foundation of America

  • Kerry Pigman

    Executive Director, Athens County Foundation

  • Heather Pontonio

    Senior Program Director at Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation

  • Stephanie Randolph

    Program Officer, Cassiopeia Foundation and Representative of Invest Appalachia

  • Gerry Roll

    Executive Director, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

  • Jennifer Simon

    Program Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission

STAFF

  • Kit Matthew

    PhD., MBA, Executive Director

  • Hailey Rudd

    Membership and Grants Administrator