Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of West Virginia for 2024. Whether exploring the Appalachian Mountains, the Monongahela National Forest, or the Potomac River, there are plenty of natural wonders in West Virginia. This abundance of natural resources not only fuels industries, such as hardwood, coal, and energy but also helps attract some of the world’s leading professionals to the state. A few other thriving industries in the Mountain State include aerospace, agriculture, IT, manufacturing, and small businesses in many sectors.
We recognize the accomplishments of technology leader Jenna Bowles. Currently the Vice President and CEO for Communications and Corporate Messaging at Kyndryl, Bowles leads the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider utilizing her previous experience managing global teams and large-scale programs.
Among this year’s honorees is also the Field Medical Director of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Vicki Williams. Having begun her career in healthcare and then serving in the US Army, Williams has acquired the skills needed to lead an innovative biotechnology company.
Lastly, we honor the career of Mary Folmsbee, the Vice President of Sales for A.F. Wendling's Foodservice, the largest independent family-owned and operated broad-line food service distributor in the state. Folmsbee has a strong background in sales, HR, and management and is committed to serving the people of West Virginia and beyond.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of West Virginia for 2024.
1. Jenna Bowles
Vice President, CEO Communications and Corporate Messaging, Kyndryl
Jenna Bowles is the Vice President for CEO Communications and Corporate Messaging at Kyndryl. She joined the company in 2021. Kyndryl is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in over 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day.
With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate communications, Bowles has held many exciting and challenging positions, managing large-scale, global communications programs and teaming with colleagues across the C-suite. She specializes in executive communications – helping senior leaders to elevate their presence and the work of the organization.
Previously, Bowles was a strategic and executive communications leader at IBM. Bowles earned an MA in Corporate Communications from Baruch College and an undergraduate degree in interpersonal communications and marketing from Bowling Green State University. Outside of the office, Bowles enjoys exploring the waterways and mountain trails of West Virginia with her family.
4. Diane Strong
President, ManpowerGroup
Diane Strong-Treister is the President and Franchise Owner of Manpower of WV, Inc., with offices in West Virginia and Kentucky servicing employment needs of clients in the Administrative, Industrial, Technical/Professional, and Healthcare divisions.
Strong-Treister is a member of numerous boards and currently serves on Workforce West Virginia Executive Board, Membership Chair for Mountain State Gold Young Presidents’ Organization, Board of Directors for City Holding, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Round Industry Table, WV Manufacturing Association Educational Fund Board, Buckskin Boy Scout Council Board, Charleston Alliance Board of Directors, Vice Chair of Charleston Chamber, WV Round Table, Board of Visitors of WVSU and Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Charleston.
She attended Rio Grande College and West Virginia State College majoring in business administration. Strong recently served a three-year term as the President of AMFO (Association of Manpower Franchise Owners of North America).
6. Mitzi Coleman
Vice President and General Manager, Nexstar Media Group
Mitzi Coleman began her professional career 22 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President and General Manager of Nexstar Media Group, a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across television, streaming, and digital platforms, including more than 300,000 hours of news, sports, and entertainment programming each year.
Throughout her over 20 years in broadcast advertising, Coleman has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow sales, revenue, and profitability, and the capacity to build highly effective collaborative sales teams. Since 2020, Coleman has served as market sales manager and station manager for KTVL-TV CBS 10 and its sister station, NTVL-TV Southern Oregon’s CW 11, in Medford, Oregon, where she was responsible for the long-term strategy and day-to-day operations of both stations, overseeing advertising sales, sponsorships, and the development of new revenue streams.
Under her leadership, the sales team created and executed several unique sponsorship opportunities for advertisers and marketers, including “First Alert Fire,” sponsored by Keep Oregon Green, which provides fire-season tips and updates in conjunction with the Oregon Dept of Forestry. She and her team also developed “Ask The Expert” in partnership with Valley Immediate Care, producing a series of special segments in, which a team of medical professionals took viewer calls and the station produced multiple Public Service Announcements with health tips based on the needs of the community. The PSAs and news segments appeared across multiple platforms.
8. Shikha Sharma
Chief Scientific Officer, Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research, West Virginia University
Shikha Sharma is the Chief Scientific Officer of the Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research (WISER) at West Virginia University (WVU). WVU is a family of distinctive campuses united by a single mission.
Sharma is a multidisciplinary geoscientist with more than 20 years of experience. She led several transdisciplinary multi-institutional collaborative research efforts focused on the environment and sustainable energy solutions related to shale gas, geothermal systems, subsurface carbon/hydrogen storage, and more recently critical and rare earth minerals. Acquired several million dollars in research grants, authored high-impact peer-review publications, and mentored many students.
Before joining West Virginia University, Sharma was an associate director at the University of Wyoming. Before that, she was a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University. Earlier in her career, she worked with the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg as a German academic exchange fellow.
10. Kelly Marsh
VP of Financial Operations, GuidePoint Security
Kelly Marsh is the Vice President of Financial Operations of GuidePoint Security. GuidePoint Security is an elite team of highly trained, top-certified experts who cut through cyber chaos and confusion to put control back in their hands. They help to make the smartest, most informed decisions, choose and integrate products and services that are the best fit, and build the most effective cybersecurity posture.
Marsh joined GuidePoint Security in 2018 and oversees all finance, accounting, and tax functions for the company. She is an experienced finance and accounting professional in corporate financial processes, budget performance, financial reporting, internal controls, and team leadership.
Bringing more than 15 years of experience to GuidePoint, Marsh served as corporate controller for Black Box Network Services, where she gained significant experience in mergers and acquisitions. She began her career at EY in the audit practice. Marsh is a graduate of West Virginia University and holds degrees in accounting and management information systems and is a Certified Public Accountant.
11. Amanda Kupfner
Chief Strategy Integration Officer, Bureau of the Fiscal Service
Amanda Kupfner is the Chief Strategy Integration Officer of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) is a bureau of the US Department of the Treasury. The Fiscal Service replaced the Bureau of the Public Debt and the Financial Management Service effective October 7, 2012, by directive of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. The merger of the two agencies and their data centers saved $415 million.
Kupfner has 21 years of experience, all spent at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. She started as an information technology specialist in 2003. In 2009, she was promoted to business integrator and project manager. By 2012, she was a manager in the Unified Communications Brandh, and by 2015, she had reached the director level as director of the User Services Division. She was appointed deputy assistant commission in 2020 and achieved her current role in the C-suite by 2022.
Kupfner graduated from West Virginia University at Parkersburg with an undergraduate degree in computer science. She was part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Who’s Who Among College Scholars.
12. Jennifer Nestor
Chief Nursing Officer, Mon Health
Today, Jennifer Nestor is the Chief Nursing Officer of Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Nestor has held a variety of clinical roles, including EMT, clinical nurse, and nurse director before starting her role at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital in 2009. In addition, she spends time as a diabetic educator, hosting community diabetic education and support groups in Preston County. Nestor started her career in 1996 as a registered nurse at Charleston Area Medical Center. From there, she eventually rose to a nurse director at Cabell-Huntington Health Department, her most recent position prior to joining Mon Health.
Nestor graduated from the University of Charleston with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing before completing her Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. Recently, she also enrolled at Aspen University to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice.
View the complete list of awardees.
14. Alicia Kalka
Interim Vice President of Student Success, Fairmont State University
Alicia Kalka is a dedicated leader with a deep-rooted passion for higher education. Her journey began in Charleston, WV, where the value of education was instilled in her from an early age. As a first-generation college student, Kalka’s family's achievements inspire her every day.
Kalka’s commitment to student advocacy led her to educate countless high school students across West Virginia about the importance of post-secondary education. Drawing from her own experiences, she shares her journey, including its successes and challenges, resonating deeply with many West Virginia families. At Fairmont State University, Kalka takes immense pride in the institution's efforts to provide accessible pathways for students to achieve their educational goals. Her career in higher education began at West Virginia University, where she discovered her passion for student support while serving as a Resident Assistant. This formative experience not only laid the foundation for her future in higher education but also enabled her to graduate without student loan debt. Throughout her 20-year tenure in higher education, Kalka has held various leadership roles, specializing in Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Kalka holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Higher Education Administration from West Virginia University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Liberty University. Her extensive experience includes a decade at West Virginia University before joining Fairmont State University in 2014. Over the years, Kalka’s leadership at Fairmont State University has been instrumental in advancing various departments, including Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Student Conduct, and Admissions. Her recent promotion to Interim Vice President for Student Success underscores her dedication to enhancing student experiences and success.
17. Veronica Marin
Chief Financial Officer, Highland Hospital
Veronica Marin joined Highland as the Chief Financial Officer in December 2021 and has more than 16 years of experience in healthcare finance and administration. Highland Hospital has been serving the West Virginia community for over sixty years providing quality mental healthcare, an educated staff, and a safe environment. At Highland, they have the resources to improve total well-being.
Before joining Highland Hospital, Marin was a CFO at Perry County Memorial Hospital. Before that, she was a CFO at Red Bud Regional Hospital. Earlier in her career, she worked with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community as a financial services accounting manager.
Marin is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Western New Mexico University in May 2000 and her Master of Business Administration in May 2002, also from Western New Mexico University. Marin later went on to earn her Masters in Accountancy in May 2009 from Arizona State University. Prior to joining the Highland team, she worked in finance and administrative roles at four different healthcare facilities across the country.
18. Kearstin McGinnis
Vice President of Employment, TekSynap
Kearstin McGinnis is the Vice President of Employment at TekSynap, a worldwide IT government contract company. TekSynap understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well-planned information management environment. McGinnis’ team oversees the recruitment of IT government contracts for agencies, such as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Justice, Department of Veteran Affairs, and many more.
With over 16 years of recruiting and HR experience, McGinnis takes an active approach to place the right candidate, in the right role at the right time. She is a veteran advocate with a focus on working with the nation’s service members, transition centers, and veteran-friendly agencies in hopes of adding to TekSynap’s robust 35% veteran population. As a military spouse, she understands firsthand the challenges a veteran and their families may experience during one of the most exciting times in their careers, the military transition. For a portion of her career, she was integral to the military member’s transition. She traveled across the United States as a Department of Labor Career Transition Facilitator, presenting two- and three-day workshops discussing skill assessments, company research, job searches, resume writing, and interviewing.
McGinnis is a graduate of Columbia College with Bachelor’s degrees in Human Resources Management and Business Administration. In addition to her education, she has earned the Help Desk Institute Support Center Manager certification, Professional Recruiter Certification, PHR, and, PMP certifications.
20. Stephanie Smart
Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, United Hospital Center
Stephanie Smart is the Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of United Hospital Center. United Hospital Center is the result of a merger between St. Mary’s and Union Protestant Hospitals in 1970. The new UHC is designed around the environment with the patient, family, staff, and community in mind.
Earlier in her career, Smart joined the Marine Corps. She chose a logistics path in the Marines and started working with explosives and ammunition. Her first deployment was to Kuwait, where she and other troops awaited the US invasion of Iraq, which commenced in March 2003. She started a licensed practical nurse program in California, where she had been stationed, right after getting out of the Marines in 2005. She worked as a personal trainer as she took classes. After completing the program in 2007, she moved back to Bridgeport and worked as an LPN while attending the registered nurse program at Fairmont State from 2008 to 2010. Smart graduated in 2010 and was hired by UHC as a graduate nurse. She worked for the hospital as it transitioned to its new facility off of Jerry Dove Drive, and worked as a nurse in areas throughout the new hospital. She moved from the nurse, to charge nurse, to supervisor, to nurse manager, and finally to her current role,
Over the years, Smart has developed the skills necessary to succeed. She possesses comprehensive industry knowledge and exceptional interpersonal skills. She is proficient in purchasing processes, key performance indicators, escalations management, customer satisfaction, and analytical skills. In her current role, she consistently demonstrates these skills, contributing to the organization's success and patient care excellence.
21. Kristin Anderson
Vice President Marketing & Philanthropy, Thomas Hospitals
Kristin Anderson began her professional career 17 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy at Thomas Hospitals. The Thomas team includes more than 450 providers at two hospitals and more than 30 locations throughout Kanawha and Putnam counties.
Previously, Anderson was a senior director of marketing and communications at Stonerise, her most recent position before joining Thomas Hospitals. In this role, she led Stonerise's communication and marketing functions, including internal communications, CEO and executive communications, public relations, media relations, video production, and crisis communications. Before that, she was the director of marketing, where she led the marketing and social media functions across The Stonerise Network and ensured a cohesive brand narrative for team members, patients, families, providers, and communities.
Anderson held leadership roles at the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Fahlgen Mortine (an integrated communications company), and Northlich (an advertising agency). Earlier in her career, she worked as a client services coordinator. Anderson graduated from West Virginia University with an undergraduate degree in journalism.
23. Virginia Moore
Vice President and Dean of Students, University of Charleston
Virginia Moore is the Vice President and Dean of Students of the University of Charleston, an independent, co-educational, residential university, with the main campus in the state capital of West Virginia, Charleston.
Moore served at the University of Charleston as the director of residence life and judicial affairs from 2008 to 2013 and as the assistant dean of students from 2013 to 2016. She became the dean of students in October 2016, and she was named vice president in 2019. Moore believes that her most important role is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for students. Her department includes student activities, student organizations, Greek life, Title IX compliance, judicial affairs, international student affairs, intramural sports, UC bands, and residence life/housing. She wants to ensure that students not only have a great collegiate experience while they are there but also learn more about themselves and the world. She aims for students to discover their strengths, learn to resolve conflict and leave UC as competent, compassionate adults ready to take on the world.
Earlier in her career, Moore was an area coordinator at Morehead State University. She graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology, and she served as a resident assistant.
24. Susan Bissett
President, Drug Intervention Institute
Susan Bissett is the President of the Drug Intervention Institute headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia. The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WV DII) began in May 2019, after nine months of study and deliberation regarding the best ways to reduce opioid drug deaths in West Virginia.
Bissett is committed to reducing overdose deaths in West Virginia, Appalachia, and the Nation. She has over 25 years of administrative experience with nonprofits and higher education. She is fiercely committed to public health and health education. Most recently, she helped develop and implement opioid prescription and medication safety programs aimed at educating all young people and the public about the dangers of prescription and illicit drug use/misuse. Bissett is an advocate for evidence-based prevention programming, harm reduction services, and common-sense SUD response. She has written over 100 articles to date, with her most recent publications focusing on OTP treatment, harm reduction programming, medication safety, overdose response, and increasing the pipeline of healthcare professionals in Appalachia. She also serves on the boards of the West Virginia Rural Health Association and West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation and has received recognition for outstanding and innovative contributions in combating the nation’s drug crisis, including an award from the US Drug Enforcement Administration for her work in prevention education.
Before joining the Drug Intervention Institute, Bissett was an assistant dean and assistant professor at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy. Before that, she was a consultant at G2 Consulting. Earlier in her career, she worked with General Motors Technical Education Program as a student service staff. Bissett graduated from Capella University with a PhD in Education. She graduated from Central Michigan University with an MA in Interpersonal and Public Communication and from Oakland University with an undergraduate degree in communication studies and political science.
View the complete list of awardees.
32. Whitney Patterson
Chief Financial Officer, Highland-Clarksburg Hospital
Whitney Patterson is the Chief Financial Officer of Highland-Clarksburg Hospital, a private, nonprofit hospital that is dedicated to providing the best care for persons with mental disorders. It has established an integrated system of high-quality behavioral health services, including mental health treatment services for children, adolescents, and forensic patients.
Patterson joined the HCHI team as a controller in August 2017. Before coming to HCHI, Patterson was the chief financial officer at Fairmont Regional Medical Center, where she guided the hospital through their 2013 bankruptcy filing and subsequent sale to Alecto Healthcare Services. She had a public accounting background prior to her employment with FRMC, where she performed audits and due diligence consulting procedures for various healthcare companies.
Patterson graduated from West Virginia University with an undergraduate degree in accounting and a graduate certificate in forensic accounting and fraud investigation. She holds both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) designation. Patterson is actively involved in numerous professional and charitable organizations, such as the WV Healthcare Financial Management Association and the Roosevelt-Wilson, Washington Irving, Kelly Miller, and Robert C. Byrd Alumni Foundation.
34. Marilyn Wrenn
Chief Program Officer, Coalfield Development
Marilyn Wrenn currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at Coalfield Development Corporation. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization's fundraising efforts. This includes developing and implementing fundraising plans, soliciting donations, and stewardship of donors. She first joined the company in 2016. Coalfield Development believes in developing the potential of Appalachian places and people as they experience challenging moments of economic transition by unlocking people's creative power to transform perceived problems into opportunities in the communities they call home.
Wrenn has worked in development and operations for over 20 years. Wrenn began her career as a marketing specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. In this role, she was responsible for press contacts, instructional video production, lead facilitation, graphic design, manual design, and Total Quality Management training. Wrenn also served as a liaison with the National Office. In 1998, Wrenn joined the Center for Economic Options (CEO) as the operations and development director. In this role, she oversaw the organization's operations and development activities. Wrenn also worked closely with the CEO to develop and implement strategic plans. In 2014, she joined YWCA Charleston as the communications director. In this role, she was responsible for managing the organization's communications strategy. This included developing and implementing media relations plans, writing press releases, and managing the organization's social media presence.
Wrenn received their MA in Communications and Environmental Systems from the University of Kentucky and their BS in Communications from the University of Kentucky.
35. Tabitha Fox
Chief Nursing Officer, Robert C. Byrd Clinic
Tabitha Fox has extensive work experience in the healthcare industry. Her most recent role is as the Chief Nursing Officer at the Robert C. Byrd Clinic. Robert C. Byrd Clinic (RCBC) is headquartered on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in historic Lewisburg, West Virginia. As a nonprofit Rural Health Clinic, RCBC is committed to providing outstanding, comprehensive primary care to families across the Greenbrier Valley, western Virginia, and beyond.
Prior to this, Fox held various leadership roles at Cabell Huntington Hospital, including director of physician services, assistant director of perioperative services, operations manager of CHH Surgery Center, and bariatric program manager. In these roles, she managed providers and staff, implemented quality improvement measures, and oversaw the development of outpatient clinics. Fox also has experience as a staff nurse on a Med-Surge floor, where she took on additional responsibilities, such as charge nurse and preceptor. Overall, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in healthcare operations, management, and patient care.
Fox has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which she obtained from Marshall University between 1999 and 2003. In 2011 and 2012, she pursued a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Education at Walden University.
37. Bonnie Peterman
Division Chair and Pathway Coordinator all Allied Health Programs, WV Northern Community College
Bonnie Peterman is the Division Chair and Pathway Coordinator for all Allied Health Programs of West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC). WVNCC is a public community college with its main campus in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia.
Peterman is dedicated to the mission of WVNCC, providing affordable, quality education and training for all who wish to learn. After receiving grant money in 2022, Peterman worked to expand the nursing programs and we added more students on all three campuses. She was also committed to making a nursing simulation lab that’s a state-of-the-art lab on all three campuses.
Peterman also serves as the director of surgical technology at WVNCC. She is skilled in health and physical education, health information technology, and medical assisting. She has expertise in nursing, patient care technology, and radiography. She is proficient in surgical technology.
39. Kim Posey
Vice President Operations, Energy Transportation
Kim Posey is the Vice President of Operations of Energy Transportation, a leading natural gas transportation and environmental Response provider. Energy Transportation Inc. primarily serves the construction, mining, gas processing, power generation, and wind energy industries, operating in all 50 states, as well as Western Canada.
Throughout her career, Posey has managed hazardous waste management and transportation, overseeing disposal and driver/laborer performance daily. She organized and scheduled resources, coordinated operational needs with the maintenance team, and managed the end-of-day check-in process to address service, safety, and equipment issues. She reviewed weekly demand for routes, recommended routes, set and monitored productivity, service, and safety targets for each route and driver, and resolved employee and labor relations issues. She coordinated temporary workers for routes, ensured drivers complied with regulatory requirements, conducted root cause investigations for injuries and incidents, and visited customer sites to resolve safety issues. Posey established and maintained a safe work environment, documented problem fixes, followed up on sales opportunities and safety issues, and maintained records required by regulatory agencies.
Posey started her career in 2000 as a transportation manager at WM Energy Services. From there, she eventually rose to manager at Shalewater Solutions, Inc., her most recent position prior to joining Energy Transportation.
41. Tiffany Testa
Founder & CEO, Seed Stage Strategies, LLC
Tiffany Testa is the Founder and CEO of Seed Stage Strategies, LLC. At Seed Stage Strategies, they understand the unique challenges and opportunities that remote-first, early-stage startups and small businesses face. Their tailored services are designed to empower growing businesses, providing a solid foundation to flourish in the competitive landscape.
As an operations executive with a passion for early-stage company development, Testa has demonstrated transformative leadership and a commitment to operational efficiency throughout her career. With key qualifications in values-based hiring, process improvements, building operations from the ground up, and identifying automation opportunities, she has successfully laid robust foundations for business growth.
Previously, Testa was the head of business operations at The Profit Ledger. Before that, she was an operations manager at Landed. Earlier in her career, she worked with Jackson Kelly PLLC as a legal secretary. Testa earned an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University and an undergraduate degree in multi/interdisciplinary studies from West Virginia University.
46. Lauren Riviello
President & CEO, C&O Canal Trust
Lauren Riviello has served as the President and CEO of C&O Canal Trust since April 2023. The C&O Canal Trust, as the official nonprofit partner of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, works in partnership with the National Park Service and local communities to raise funds to preserve the Park for future generations and to broaden support through programs that highlight the Park’s historical, natural, and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities.
During Riviello’s tenure leading the Trust’s development team, the organization steadily enhanced its fundraising efforts, growing critical support for conservation, education, and preservation efforts in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. She joined the C&O Canal Trust in February 2021, serving as the director of development
She has over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience. A native of Shepherdstown, WV, Riviello worked at the Brookline Arts Center (BAC) in Massachusetts before returning to the area. She served in many roles at BAC, including assistant director, director of operations, and executive director. Prior to joining the BAC, she served as the managing director of Gallery 263 in Cambridge, MA. Riviello earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from The Institute for Nonprofit Practice at Tufts University. She is also an alumna of the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership.
47. Jamie Riggs
Senior Director, Customer Success & Data, Open Up Resources
Jamie Riggs is a creative and empathetic leader in the K-12 Education space. Joining Open Up Resources (OUR) at the earliest stages of the organization, she has been critical in its growth from a small startup to a market-interrupting K-12 nonprofit. Open Up Resources is a non-profit publisher of K-12 curricula in pursuit of delivering equitable learning experiences for all students.
Currently serving as the Senior Director of Customer Success and Data, Jamie collaborates with Open Up Resources' expanding customer base and develops systems to support districts efficiently. Keeping her classroom roots close to her heart, she remains committed to empowering students and educators nationwide with equitable classroom experiences, while supporting the Sales Team to enhance their impact. Jamie began her professional career as a middle school math teacher. Her education was an essential piece of her formative years, and she now had the opportunity to pay it forward for her students which she embraced. After seven years in the classroom, she transitioned to the District 6-12 Math Specialist role, where she coached fellow educators to enhance math instruction and student achievement, striving to reach even more students.
Jamie holds a Master of Arts in Education for Mathematics Leadership, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and licenses for both Secondary Mathematics Education and Mathematics Specialist for Elementary and Middle School Education from the College of William and Mary, where she also served as a Regional Mathematics Specialist for the Tidewater Team.
48. Morganne Tenney
Executive Director, Putnam County Development Authority
“You will never have to push me forward, but rather, may need to hold me back.” Morganne Tenney lives her life professionally and personally with her late father’s wisdom as her anthem. She enthusiastically serves as the Executive Director of the Putnam County Development Authority. For over 60 years, the organization has been driving development for business, sites, workforce, and housing as the lead economic development agency in Putnam County, WV meeting with hundreds of private companies and organizations with the ultimate goal of increasing investment and quality jobs in WV. With experience in both the higher education and hospitality industries, Morganne knows the value of thoroughly and efficiently connecting her clients to answers while maintaining a positive relationship throughout the process.
Morganne was born and raised in Putnam County, and as a multigenerational Putnam Countian, Morganne believes wholeheartedly in the loyalty and passion that drives her work to provide the best economy possible for her community, including her young children. In her two years with PCDA, she has led the organization to win a federal grant, spearheaded a skilled, industrial maintenance technician apprenticeship between local manufacturers and a local Community and Technical College, closed two deals in PCDA-owned Putnam Business Park, purchased an industrial building with a Fortune 100 company lease, designated the county for housing development tax incentives, supported utility extensions, doubled private funding, and entertained domestic and international prospects.
Morganne obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and an MBA from West Virginia Wesleyan College where she earned “Best Marketing Graduate” and “Outstanding MBA Graduate”. She is active in her community, sits as a member on multiple boards, is a local worship leader, and can typically be found outside. Although she still loves traveling the world, she resides in Scott Depot with her husband, J.R., two-year-old son, Landon, six-month-old baby Jack, and their golden-doodle, Wrigley.
View the complete list of awardees.