Leadership

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 monthly conference calls and serve on at least one Group or ad-hoc committee.

2023 Steering Committee co-chairs

Garrett Blaize

Executive Director, Appalachian Community Fund
Laura Nixon

Senior Program Director, Educational Foundation of America

2025 Steering Committee Members

Cynthia Brown

Former Board Chair, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
Peter Dolkart

Community Development Regional Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Jeff Mansour

Program Director, Thompson Charitable Foundation
Kerry Pigman

Executive Director, Athens County Foundation and Representative of Invest Appalachia
Stephanie Randolph

Managing Director, Purple Tiger Impact, LLC
Sarah Thompson

Vice President – Economic Opportunity, Dogwood Health Trust
Joe Tolbert, Jr.

Executive Director, Waymakers Collective
Kristin Walker Collins

Executive Director, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
Emma Wyatt

Chief Operating Officer, The Innovate Fund