Philanthropy West Virginia is pleased to announce the new members joining its staff team. This includes a promotion of team member, Kate Leary, and a new hire, Savannah Thomas.
Philanthropy West Virginia recently promoted Kate Leary, formerly Operations Associate to Program & Engagement Coordinator as of January 2021. Ms. Leary joined Philanthropy WV in August 2019 originally as Operations Assistant. “She is a great member of our team and has done wonderful work for Philanthropy WV, our members, and partners by going above and beyond,” says Paul D. Daugherty, president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia.
He adds, “We want to recognize her incredible leadership especially during 2020 in coordinating numerous programs last year with Philanthropy WV’s COVID Virtual Briefings, COVID Relief Fund Coordination Meetings, Education Funders Affinity Group, and Equity & Inclusion Working Group. We’re excited to have her in this new leadership role.”
Ms. Leary will be overseeing Philanthropy WV’s general programming, annual conference, other professional development, and member assistance. Leary received her masters degree from the University of Montana and her undergraduate degree from Allegheny College.
Philanthropy WV has welcomed team member Savannah Thomas as Special Programs Fellow. Ms. Thomas is currently in her first year of the West Virginia University Masters in Public Administration program. She is a Bluefield, WV native and received her undergrad from WVU Eberly College of Arts & Sciences in May 2020. Ms. Thomas will be working on research, data, and special programs accessing philanthropic impact during the pandemic and priority issues for community economic development, education, workforce, and community rebuilding.
“We are excited to welcome Savannah to our team. She will increase our research and data gathering on the critical economic and community leadership role that philanthropy is having on our state,” shares Daugherty. He added, “We are thankful to Dr. Maja Holmes and WVU Masters in Public Administration program for continuing our partnerships with our fellows program.”
During the past year of the pandemic, Philanthropy WV’s member grantmaking foundations, corporations, donors, and government funders have invested over $12 million for COVID response assisting tens of thousands of West Virginians and supporting hundreds of nonprofits responding to the crisis.