Fostering Solutions

Leading with Innovation: Linda Bodie's Trailblazing Role in Credit Union Evolution

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 2019, propelling the state's medical program into successful implementation and ongoing operations.

Linda's commitment to inclusivity and leadership is evident through her co-founding roles in CU Pride, an LGBTQ+ association for credit union professionals, and CUWLA, a national organization empowering female CEOs of smaller credit unions. Her influence extends across various local and national boards, dedicating her expertise to projects that champion human rights, equality, and justice.

Her achievements have been recognized widely, culminating in receiving the prestigious Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in 2023. This accolade celebrates her significant contributions to the credit union industry.

 

Creating Order Out of Chaos: Gail Pitchford's New Chapter in Home Organization

1. 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 supervised a team of professionals and managed the delivery of comprehensive financial services to high-net-worth clients.

 

Following her banking career, Gail transitioned to healthcare philanthropy, serving as President of the CAMC Foundation. The CAMC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Charleston Area Medical Center, a 1,000-bed tertiary hospital in West Virginia's capital. During her 15-year tenure, Gail led all fundraising and grant-making efforts, successfully raising $15 million to establish a free-standing, multidisciplinary cancer center at CAMC. She retired from the foundation in 2021 and maintains her certification as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

 

In 2022, Gail pursued her passion for creating organized and peaceful living spaces by founding Pro Clutter Buster, a home organizing business. She assists clients in overcoming decluttering and organizing challenges, providing long-term solutions to maintain clutter-free environments.

 

Gail has a strong commitment to community service, demonstrated through various volunteer roles. She served on the Board of Governors at West Virginia State University for 10 years and is currently a Commissioner on the Higher Education Policy Commission of West Virginia. Additionally, she serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Craik-Patton House Foundation, Inc., which preserves the historic Craik-Patton House and Museum. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority Employee Wellness Board. An active member of the Rotary Club of Charleston, WV, Gail is also an avid runner, having competed in numerous 5k and 10k races, multiple half-marathons, and completed the New York City Marathon.

 

Gail is married to Dr. Augustinus Lobach, a retired family practice physician, and they reside in Charleston, WV.

 

Transforming Ideas into Enterprises: Nora Myers on Supporting Women and Minority-Owned Businesses

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 campus and as the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Charleston, where she was the operational assistance partner for Adena Ventures. In this capacity, she provided business development support to numerous companies across the state seeking venture capital.

 

Nora has experience as a commercial lender in the Washington, DC area, serving small to medium-sized enterprises. She is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute in Atlanta and holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington, as well as a BS in Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, the Fund for the Arts, and Kanawha Valley NOW.

 

Championing Local Growth and Entrepreneurship: Insights from Terrell Ellis

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 with the state’s capital city, Charleston, and the WV Main Street program. Her work involved directing and providing technical assistance for diverse projects, from riverfront development to historic preservation and financing programs. This early experience laid the foundation for her future success in community and economic revitalization. 

 

Subsequently, Ms. Ellis served as the Principal of Terrell Ellis & Associates, a consulting practice that provides support to the public and private sectors on issues related to community and economic revitalization.  She worked nationally on community and economic development initiatives, emphasizing small to medium-sized rural communities.  

 

In 2023, Ms. Ellis made a significant career move, closing her consulting practice to become the President & CEO of Advantage Valley, a 9-county regional economic development organization. In this role, she has successfully leveraged millions of federal funding to support regional business attraction and retention, entrepreneurship, development of outdoor recreation assets, and industrial site development efforts. Her unique collaboration with regional partners has led to the creation of hundreds of new jobs and millions of private reinvestment in the region, demonstrating the tangible impact of her work.

 

In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree in urban affairs from Virginia Tech, Ms. Ellis is also a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional. She volunteers in leadership roles for numerous local, state, and national organizations. Ms. Ellis is the proud mother of four daughters.

 

Driving Compassion: The Dual Career of Shamika Robinson

Shamika Robinson spent most of her life in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, and has been living in Charleston, WV since late 2015. She was raised in a family that emphasized helping others, which shaped her career dedicated to service. Shamika worked for five years at the Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority in Charleston, WV, starting as a Housing Specialist and quickly rising to Inspections Supervisor. She is currently a licensed Mortgage Loan Officer in West Virginia, working for a non-profit lender.

 

In May 2020, Shamika established Luv Enterprises LLC, a car rental service that became profitable in 2022. Her 25-year career in social services includes roles in residential recovery services, homelessness prevention and assistance, family reunification, and child development. Shamika discovered that car rental services could benefit from a more human touch, extending her passion for social services into this new venture. Today, Luv Enterprises provides some of the most innovative car rental solutions in the market.

 

Crafting Confections and Connections: The Story of Morgan Morrison

Morgan Morrison, the co-owner and founder of Rock City Cake Company, a unique bakery and music venue nestled in the heart of West Virginia. Morgan's journey as an entrepreneur exemplifies resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to bringing a modern twist to a beloved classic.

 

Beyond the bakery, Morgan serves as the Vice President of the Downtown Charleston Association, demonstrating her commitment to community growth and development. In this role, she actively works to foster connections between residents, visitors, and businesses in Charleston, West Virginia. Her dedication to enhancing goodwill reflects a deep-seated belief in the potential of her community and the unique offerings of the Mountain State.

 

A Legal Luminary: The Distinguished Career of Attorney Kusimo-Frazier

Attorney Kusimo-Frazier has built an illustrious career, beginning as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Kanawha and Jackson Counties, West Virginia, where she excelled by winning nearly all her trial cases. She transitioned into private practice with a Charleston law firm, successfully defending numerous clients in criminal cases across municipal, state, and federal courts.

 

After several years, she joined the Supreme Court of Appeals as a Deputy Counsel, where she spent four years reviewing appeals, summarizing them, and presenting her findings to the Supreme Court Justices. Her expertise led to her promotion as Director of Magistrate Services, where she supervised the operations of West Virginia's fifty-five county magistrate court system, advised magistrates, circuit judges, and the Supreme Court Justices, and implemented statewide legislation.

 

In 2022, she returned to private practice as Of Counsel at a national law firm headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia. In 2023, she was named a fellow in the inaugural class of the Johnson & Johnson Trial Pathways Fellowship Program, focusing on product liability defense, criminal defense, and civil rights law.

 

Attorney Kusimo-Frazier has been recognized with numerous accolades. In 2022, she was honored as a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow and joined its board. In 2023, she received the Civil Rights Champion award from the West Virginia Human Rights Commission. In 2024, she was named a Woman to Watch by the Charleston, West Virginia YWCA Woman of Achievement Awards.

 

Her dedication extends beyond her legal practice. She serves as a Commissioner for the West Virginia Juvenile Justice Commission and is an active member of the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter.

 

Attorney Kusimo-Frazier graduated magna cum laude from The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and earned her Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia. She is also a lifetime member of the FAMU Alumni Association.

From Research to Real-World Impact: Dr. Yvonne Lee-Long's Dedication to Family and Behavioral Health

Dr. Yvonne S. Lee-Long , a licensed Graduate Social Worker, has been practicing since 2011. She holds a PhD in social work with a focus on Family Intervention and Preservation, where her research explored the relationships between stress, family support, and family resources among custodial grandparents in Appalachia.

 

An entrepreneur, Yvonne owns "My September Case Management," which assists aged and disabled waiver participants. Additionally, she runs "F.A.I.T.H Behavioral Support," a licensed behavioral health center she recently opened. At this center, she provides case management for children with Serious Emotional Disorder waivers and offers wraparound services. Yvonne has been working as a therapist for five years under contract.

 

Active in her community, Yvonne serves on the boards of West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and the WV Child Advocacy Network. She also held an appointment to the Advisory Council Grandparents committee, where she contributed to the Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act supporting grandparents raising grandchildren. As a member of the Charleston Institute Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., the WV ACES coalition, and the Kanawha Chapter of the NAACP, Yvonne is deeply involved in mentoring, advocating for, and leading at-risk youth in her community.

Amplifying Missions: The Marketing Mastery of Morgan Robinson

Morgan Robinson is the owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Focus Marketing Company, where she brings over two decades of experience in marketing, branding, and public relations. Morgan has established herself as a national speaker and facilitator, regularly sharing her insights and strategies at numerous conferences and events.

Her career began with a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector, where she honed her leadership skills and developed a passion for helping organizations amplify their missions through effective communication and strategic marketing. Morgan's innovative approach and dynamic presence have made her a sought-after speaker, known for engaging presentations that inspire and educate audiences. As the driving force behind Focus Marketing Company, Morgan leverages her extensive knowledge and experience to guide clients in crafting compelling brands and executing impactful marketing campaigns.

Mountain State Maven: The Journey of Angelica Gilleran

Owner, Founder, and proud West Virginia transplant, Angelica Gilleran has called the mountain state home for over a decade. With a proven record of growth in digital marketing and brand development, Angelica's skills stem from her belief that in order to excel we must prioritize serving others. In addition to running StrongRapport, you can catch Mrs. Gilleran aka 'Lady Luck' on live tv as the on-air talent for the West Virginia Lottery.

Proving that anything is possible right here in West Virginia, Angelica has worked with American Idol finalists, Vogue featured fashion designers, real (fossilized) dinosaurs, and even starred in an independent film The River of Hope, released on Amazon in 2020. In her downtime, she enjoys watching Jeopardy with her husband, planning for the future with her friends, and exploring the arts and tastes of Charleston's downtown nightlife.