Fostering Solutions

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the stories of changemakers who are building a better future for our communities. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Margaret Chapman Pomponio, Executive Director of WV FREE, joining us from right here in Charleston, West Virginia. Margaret's journey is one of deep commitment to justice and community empowerment. After earning her Master's in Political...

In this episode of Fostering Solutions, Dr. Michelle Foster speaks with Dr. Jake VanHorn, Chief Program Officer at Cabin Creek Health Systems, about what it means to hold the mission together when uncertainty looms. Dr. VanHorn received his Doctor of Clinical Psychology from Marshall University, where he developed a passion for working in communities that face systemic barriers to care. Since join...

Welcome back to Fostering Solutions. I'm your host, Dr. Michelle Mickle Foster, and today we continue our "Holding the Mission Together" series—conversations with nonprofit leaders who have navigated extraordinary challenges with grace, grit, and unwavering commitment to their missions. I'm thrilled to introduce you to someone who truly embodies what it means to be a connector and change-maker: Tr...

Welcome back to Fostering Solutions. I'm your host, Dr. Michelle Mickle Foster, and today we continue our "Holding the Mission Together" series—conversations with nonprofit leaders who have navigated extraordinary challenges while staying true to their missions and the communities they serve. I'm honored to introduce you to someone whose work has been essential to protecting and empowering survivo...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty." Our guest today, Terrell Ellis, describes herself as a "West Virginian by choice"—and that choice has defined a remarkable caree...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty." Our guest today is Dr. Clinton Arnold, a leader who embodies what it means to transform challenge into opportunity. As the CEO o...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty." What does it mean to lead an organization whose very mission is about navigating one of the most profound economic transitions o...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty." Some leaders measure their impact in years. Our guest today measures his in generations. For the last twenty-five years, Reveren...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty." When you're responsible for the health and wellbeing of 45,000 people, uncertainty isn't just a challenge—it's a crisis...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we spotlight dynamic leaders who strengthen communities through vision, resilience, and innovation. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster, and in this episode of our special series Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty, I’m joined by an inspiring leader whose journey from military service to civic leadership exemplifies courage and p...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the power of leadership, resilience, and innovation in the nonprofit world. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Mickle Foster, and in this episode of our “Holding the Mission Together” series, we’re joined by a remarkable leader whose work is transforming communities across West Virginia. Kevin Jones is the Executive Director of the Religious Coalition for...

Welcome back to Fostering Solutions, the podcast where we spotlight changemakers who are building stronger, more equitable communities across West Virginia and beyond. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Meghan Moses, Founder and President of the West Virginia Women’s Alliance Education Fund — a powerful, nonpartisan organization working to advance women and child...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the people and ideas shaping stronger communities and more resilient organizations. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In this episode of our Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty series, we sit down with Sonya Hairston, a dynamic leader whose journey bridges both the corporate and nonprofit worlds. From guiding client...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, the podcast where we explore the heart of leadership, community, and impact. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In this special series—Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty—we’re highlighting nonprofit leaders who have guided their organizations through challenge and change while remaining deeply anchored in purpose. Today’s guest is D...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the stories and strategies of leaders who are shaping stronger, more equitable communities. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In this episode of our Holding the Mission Together series, we’re joined by Briana Martin, the dynamic Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Covenant House in Charleston, West Virginia. With over two decades of...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore stories of leadership, resilience, and purpose in action. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster, and in this episode of our special series, Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty, we’re sitting down with a woman whose leadership has shaped the future of education and workforce development across West Virginia — Dr. Amelia C...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, the podcast where we explore the stories and strategies of leaders who are transforming communities and holding their missions together through times of challenge and change. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Heather Foster, a proud West Virginian and the newly appointed Executive Director of the West Virginia Community Developm...

Welcome to Fostering Solutions, the podcast where we celebrate nonprofit leaders who are building stronger communities through vision, resilience, and purpose. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In this episode—part of our “Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty” series—we’re joined by Rev. Michael Lewis Farmer, a dynamic and dedicated leader whose work through Step b...

Welcome to another episode of the Fostering Solutions Podcast. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster. In this special Holding the Mission Together series, we’re highlighting nonprofit leaders who have faced government funding cuts and other uncertainties while staying true to their mission. Today, I’m honored to welcome Beth Scohy, a lifelong West Virginian who grew up on Charleston’s West Side and g...

I’m excited to welcome today’s guest, Margaret Ann O’Neal, President of United Way of Central West Virginia. Margaret is a proud West Virginian whose career has been all about service and community. She got her start in the nonprofit world with Hospice of Southern West Virginia, where she helped raise nearly three million dollars to build the Bowers Hospice House. From there, she went on to lead U...

Today’s guest is Beth Casey, Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, based in Charleston, West Virginia. Beth’s connection to Girl Scouts runs deep—she grew up in the movement, earned both her Silver and Gold Awards, and has spent more than 33 years building a career with the organization. For the past 17 years, she has led the Black Diamond Council, guiding programs t...

With a vibrant career beginning in 1998 at Element Federal Credit Union, Linda Bodie has modernized the way her credit union serves her community. As CEO, she blends analytical prowess with creative innovation to develop solutions that not only meet but anticipate consumer needs. Her leadership was instrumental in securing the medical cannabis banking contract for the State of West Virginia in 201...

Gail Pitchford is a lifelong resident of West Virginia, having grown up in the Charleston area. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from West Virginia State University and a master’s degree in business from West Virginia University.   Gail dedicated 25 years to the banking industry, most notably as Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at BB&T, now Truist. In this role, she sup...

Nora Myers is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Women’s Business Center, a program of Partner Community Capital. In this role, she oversees business support services and access to capital for women and minority-owned small businesses. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with start-up organizations. She served as the LaunchLab Director at West Virginia University’s Beckley c...

Terrell Ellis is a West Virginian by choice. She believes that our state has tremendous untapped potential to be the best place in the country to live, work, and play. She has dedicated her professional life to helping communities realize this potential.   Terrell Ellis's career path is unique and impactful. She began her journey focusing on downtown revitalization, working locally and statewide w...