Fostering Solutions

Kevin Jones - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 Community Renewal,
or RCCR — an organization that’s been a steadfast force for affordable housing and
community renewal. Since taking the helm in 2020, Kevin has led RCCR through a
period of tremendous growth, expanding its programs, staff, and resources to better
serve residents. Under his leadership, RCCR has opened a homeownership satellite
office in Huntington, completed multiple housing projects, and launched West Virginia’s
first Transitional Storage Center for unsheltered individuals. His innovative spirit and
commitment to equity continue to redefine what’s possible in community development.
In our conversation, Kevin reflects on what it takes to hold a mission together during
moments of uncertainty — from navigating funding challenges to making values-driven
decisions that sustain both people and purpose. We talk about the moments that tested
his leadership, the lessons that emerged, and the hope that continues to guide his
work.
Join us as we dive into Kevin’s journey — a story of purpose, persistence, and vision
that reminds us all why community-based leadership matters now more than ever.

Meghan Moses - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 children through access to education, healthcare,
childcare, and civic leadership opportunities.
A graduate of the University of Virginia and Washington & Lee School of Law, Meghan
brings an impressive combination of business acumen and community vision to her
work. She also serves as General Manager of Moses Auto Group, where she has
been recognized nationally with honors such as Automotive News’ 40 Under 40 and
BMW’s Victory Lap Award.
In our conversation, Meghan shares how the Women’s Alliance, founded in 2022, is
building coalitions, creating leadership pipelines, and uplifting families across the
Mountain State. We talk about what inspired her to launch the organization, how it’s
shaping the landscape for women leaders, and why empowering women is essential to
West Virginia’s future.
So, let’s dive into this inspiring discussion with Meghan Moses — a business leader,
community advocate, and champion for women’s voices across West Virginia.

Sonya Hairston - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 clients through the 2008
financial crisis as a financial advisor at Smith Barney to founding two
companies—Classic Affairs, Inc. and Notably Nashville, LLC—and now leading as the
CEO of the YWCA of Charleston, West Virginia, Sonya’s career reflects courage,
creativity, and purpose-driven leadership.
In our conversation, Sonya shares how she led through moments of uncertainty, what
guided her decision-making when funding and stability were at risk, and how innovation
and compassion became anchors for her team and community. We’ll also hear her
reflections on personal resilience, the importance of self-care, and what it truly means
to “hold the mission together” when times are toughest.
Get ready for an inspiring and candid discussion about leadership, transformation, and
hope with one of West Virginia’s newest change makers.

Angie Settle - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 Dr. Angie Settle, CEO of WV Health Right, the state’s oldest and
largest free and charitable clinic. With nearly three decades of service, Angie has led
with compassion, innovation, and grit—expanding the clinic’s reach to serve more than
46,000 uninsured and underinsured West Virginians each year. Under her
leadership, WV Health Right has added mobile medical and dental units, integrated
behavioral health services, created teaching kitchens, and most recently launched the
Prepped to Serve Appalachia and Mobile Teaching Kitchen programs—both designed to
merge health, nutrition, and workforce development.
Angie’s journey is one of faith, family, and an unwavering commitment to service. She’s
a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Award recipient, a member of the
2024 West Virginia Executive Healthcare Hall of Fame, and a 2024 Women on a Mission
honoree.
In this episode, Angie opens up about how she led WV Health Right through moments
of financial uncertainty and change—sharing the values that guided her, the tough
decisions she faced, and the innovative solutions that emerged from adversity. She also
reflects on what it means to hold the mission together, to care for yourself as a leader,
and to stay hopeful in the work of healing a community.
So settle in and be inspired as we hear from a true servant leader—Dr. Angie Settle
of WV Health Right.

Briana Martin - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 experience in the
social service sector, Briana leads with vision, compassion, and an unwavering
commitment to social justice. Her work bridges gaps between food access, housing
stability, and healthcare equity—offering hope and tangible support to our most
vulnerable neighbors.
In our conversation, Briana reflects on what it means to lead through uncertainty. She
takes us back to the moment Covenant House faced significant funding challenges and
shares how her core values, faith, and community partnerships guided her team
through crisis. We talk about resilience, innovation, and the deep personal lessons she
learned while ensuring that Covenant House’s 40-year legacy of service continued to
thrive.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, a community advocate, or someone seeking
inspiration in difficult times, this episode offers a powerful reminder that leadership is
not just about managing resources—it’s about holding the mission together when
everything else feels uncertain.

Dr. Amelia Courts - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 Courts, President and
CEO of The Education Alliance.
For more than a decade, Dr. Courts has led The Education Alliance in mobilizing
business and community partnerships to ensure West Virginia students are equipped for
success. From launching the statewide STEM Council and WV Ready internships to
securing a $4.7 million Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE grant that’s
transforming career pathways in healthcare and manufacturing, her leadership
exemplifies innovation with impact.
In our conversation, Amelia shares how she’s navigated moments of uncertainty —
including funding challenges and shifting education priorities — while holding true to
her mission of investing in the state’s most valuable resource: its students. We talk
about the principles that guided her through tough decisions, how she supported her
team and community, and what she’s learned about leading with vision, faith, and
balance.
Dr. Courts also reflects on what holding the mission together really means to her — and
offers words of wisdom for other nonprofit leaders who are charting their path through
change.
So, settle in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Dr. Amelia Courts — a
dynamic leader, educator, and advocate for West Virginia’s next generation.

Heather Foster - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 Development Hub—a
statewide nonprofit committed to engaging community members in leadership development and
planning for economic success.
Heather brings more than fifteen years of experience in nonprofit governance, volunteer
leadership, and public service. Before joining the Hub, she served as Chief Impact Officer for
AmeriCorps’ Mid-Atlantic and Midwest Regions, where she oversaw federal community
investments across nine states and territories. Her leadership was marked by strategic growth,
strong staff engagement, and an unwavering focus on community impact. She also co-leads Red
Spruce Collective, a Charleston-based consulting firm that supports nonprofit leaders and
organizational planning.
In this conversation, part of our Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of
Uncertainty series, Heather shares her reflections on leading through uncertainty, sustaining staff
morale, and balancing organizational survival with long-term mission integrity.
We’ll talk about what guided her decisions during times of funding shifts, how she maintained
communication and trust, and what “holding the mission together” truly means to her as a leader
rooted in love for West Virginia.
So, grab your notebook—or just settle in—and join us for this inspiring conversation with one of
West Virginia’s most thoughtful and collaborative changemakers, Heather Foster.

Michael Farmer - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 by Step West Virginia has transformed
lives across our state.
Rev. Farmer serves as CEO and Executive Director of Programs for Step by Step
WV, a nonprofit that supports children, teens, and families in Lincoln, Logan, and
Kanawha Counties through 18 afterschool programs, three Family Support Centers, and
a range of workforce, college, and career readiness initiatives. Under his leadership,
Step by Step has become a trusted community anchor—helping families navigate
challenges, access resources, and build pathways to brighter futures.
He also serves as Pastor and Director of Risen City Church and the Risen City
Neighbor Center on Charleston’s West Side—an extension of his commitment to faith-
based community development. Beyond his day-to-day work, Rev. Farmer lends his
expertise to several boards including Charleston Works, Hope for Appalachia Addiction
Recovery and Children’s Resource Centers, Mountaineer Food Bank, Prestera, and KRT.
In today’s conversation, we’ll talk about what it takes to hold the mission together when
funding is uncertain and needs are great. Rev. Farmer will share how his team stayed
grounded in their values, how they innovated to meet community needs, and how hope
and partnership continue to fuel their work.
Get ready for an inspiring conversation about faith, leadership, and the power of
stepping up—step by step.

Beth Scohy - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 graduated from Alderson Broaddus University. Beth has
devoted more than 30 years to Daymark, where she’s served in multiple leadership
roles—including Director of Training, Transitional Living Coordinator, and now Executive
Director.
Under Beth’s leadership, Daymark has navigated challenges while continuing to serve
young people and families across our community. In this conversation, she shares what
it has meant to hold the mission together in difficult times, the values that have guided
her, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience and hope.
So, let’s dive in and hear Beth’s inspiring story.

Margaret Ann O'Neal, President of United Way of Central West Virginia - Holding the Mission Together Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

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 United Way of Southern West Virginia, and since 2017, she’s been leading United Way of Central West Virginia here in Charleston. She brings so much heart, vision, and experience to this work—and I can’t wait for you to hear her story.