Fostering Solutions

Maximizing with Michelle: Sarah Bolyard, President and CEO, YMCA of Kanawha Valley

Sarah began her career with the YMCA of Kanawha Valley in August 2020 where she serves as the President and CEO. The YMCA of Kanawha Valley is comprised of the Charleston Family Y and the Cross Lanes YMCA Child Development Center with $4.5 million in annual revenue. Prior to the Y, Sarah served as the WV Executive Director for the American Heart Association for close to a decade. Before then, she held various roles in pharmaceutical sales. Sarah is a graduate of West Virginia University and holds a degree in Public Relations. Sarah resides in Charleston with her husband Brian, and their young son Willie.

Maximizing with Michelle: Stephanie Tyree, Executive Director, WV Community Development Hub

A native of Charleston West Virginia, Stephanie Tyree is the Executive Director of the WV Community Development Hub (The Hub). 

 

With fifteen years of experience in policy, community development and community organizing, she has dedicated her career to advancing community-based, systemic solutions for rural, coal-impacted communities in Central Appalachia. Her primary area of expertise has centered around developing tools to drive community collaboration, leadership engagement, and community-driven change to build strong resilient rural communities.

 

Since joining the WV Community Development Hub in 2012, Stephanie has created the organization’s community-based policy program, expanded the organization’s footprint to better serve communities in southern West Virginia, led research and evaluation processes relating to rural community development in West Virginia, including publishing the WV Community Development Innovation Report and the 6 Best Practices of Rural Community Building, and has elevated the leadership of the organization within regional and national community economic development fields. She has secured over $20 million in funding over the past 8 years to support The Hub’s work, helping to funnel significant resources to WV communities served by Hub programs. 

 

Stephanie is passionate about identifying innovative strategies to address barriers to community investments for rural downtown development in West Virginia. She is inspired by the leadership growth and local transformations she has seen West Virginia communities achieve when they are provided with the tools, support, and resources to execute their vision for development and when rural development barriers are collaboratively addressed.

 

Stephanie has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from NYU School of Law. She was recognized as a “WV Wonder Woman” by WV Living Magazine in 2016, was a recipient of The State Journal’s “Next Generation: 40 Under 40” award in 2018, was a 2016 BALLE Fellow, and a 2021 Fulcrum Fellow with the Center for Community Investment. She currently serves on the WV Community Development Advisory Boards for Wesbanco and Truist banks. Additionally, she is a member of the Fayette County West Virginia Library Board, the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Board of Directors, and is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Invest Appalachia, a regional impact investment fund serving rural Appalachia. 

 

Stephanie lives with her husband and two young sons in beautiful Fayette County West Virginia. When she’s not at work, you’re most likely to find her at Summersville Lake or hanging around a local bookstore. 

 

Maximizing with Michelle: Jennifer Reed Goddard, CEO, YWCA Charleston

Jennifer Reed Goddard, APR, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Charleston, West Virginia since 2022. She first joined the organization in 2016 as their Chief Program Officer. 

 

Jennifer started her career as the Director of Communications for the West Virginia Kids Count Fund where she wrote and produced the first four annual data books and developed the communications and outreach plans for the organization. Following her dreams, she then worked a regional advertising and public relations agency, which led to more than 15 years in corporate communications and as a community relations and outreach consultant for many Fortune 500 companies. 

 

A nearly lifelong Charleston resident, Jennifer has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management. She has achieved the designation “APR” as an accredited public relations professional and serves as the Public Relations Society of America West Virginia Chapter president for 2021-2022. She has served on numerous non-profit boards in the community and is excited that her career has brought her back into the world of non-profit management. 

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She recently completed a Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from University of South Florida.

Jennifer and her husband Todd enjoy weekends exploring and hiking Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia with Rocket the Wonder Dog.

 

Maximizing with Michelle: Mavery Davis, CPA, Director of Lending, New Economy Works WVSeed Commons

Born in Los Angeles, California, Mavery Davis moved to West Virginia on a football scholarship. Although his scholarship did not fully materialize, Mavery remained in West Virginia, completed his degree, and had a career filled with ups and downs, as he candidly shares. Maveryis a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), breaking the chains of poverty and creating wealth. He is a CPA by day, serving as Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV/Seed Commons, and a community organizer, a motivator, and the Financial Literacy Bootcamp (FLBC) founder by night. Through the FLBC, he teaches youth the psychology of money and financial basics. Through these efforts, he plants the seeds of collective, community wealth, and abundance. 

 

Mavery earned the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs Trail Blazer-Pioneer Award (2020). In addition to his professional accountant certification, Mavery also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Accounting from West Virginia State University (WVSU) and a Master’s of Science Degree with a concentration in Public Accounting from Strayer University. Additionally, Mavery is an adjunct professor of Accounting at WVSU, a guest teacher at Makeshop Design Lab, a National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA) Board member, and a collaborator in All Things Workshops! 

 

Mavery has been recognized as a Top 40 under 40 Black CPA by the NSBCPA (2021) and a Hometown Hero by WV Can’t Wait (2022). In his current role, as the Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV, he brings a passion for uplifting people and connecting them to the resources they need along their cooperative business journey.

 

Mavery’s essential roles are husband and father.

 

Maximizing with Michelle: Melanie Seiler, founding Executive Director of Active SWV

Melanie Seiler is the founding Executive Director of Active Southern West Virginia, with 20 years of experience in business ownership and management. Melanie has an Associate's degree in Adventure Sports and a Bachelor's in Adventure Recreation Management. She is also certified in CDC Work@Health T3, Diabetes Prevention Program, American Canoe Association stand-up paddle boarding, Professional Ski Instructors of America telemark skiing, and a WV Division of Natural Resources river guide. Melanie was named one of West Virginia Executive Magazine's Generation Next 40 Under 40 professionals in 2017 and a 2019 West Virginia Living Wonder Woman.

 

Maximizing with Michelle: Nakia Austin, Co-Founder of the Healing House

Co-Founder of the Healing House, Inc., Nakia Austin, is an Inspirational Speaker, Professional Counselor, and Certified Life Coach offering over 15 years of experience in strategic thinking and tactical approaches to overcoming adversity. The Healing House, Inc. is a holistic behavioral health program that serves and empowers women. They help trauma-impacted women heal and rebuild. They provide an innovative approach to healing and a fresh take on life after trauma through the highest quality of coaching, counseling, and education.

 

As a graduate of The Ohio State University and Marshall University Graduate College, Nakia holds two degrees and several certifications that have helped her master the art of communication and public speaking. Nakia’s extensive background spans adult education, youth services, and coaching. Nakia has spoken to audiences for nearly two decades about the importance of decision-making, critical thinking, and awareness. Her innovative technique adds a refreshing element to public speaking and engages audiences of all ages. 

 

As a counselor, Nakia has helped hundreds of children over a decade build coping skills and strategies to overcome difficulty and emotional hardship. Nakia has also helped women battling addiction find peace, resolve, and the courage to conquer addiction. Nakia works tirelessly to support her clients on every step of their journey. 

 

As a coach, Nakia has the tools to help her clients achieve their goals, recover from difficult experiences, and address current and future challenges. By utilizing proven strategic methods for overcoming life’s hurdles, Nakia’s innovative coaching technique combines cognitive theory with practical applications that get results. In addition, Nakia’s dedicated, invaluable support and responsive approach to therapy and coaching allow her to help individuals become the best versions of themselves. 

 

Nakia is a dedicated wife and mother, youth worker and mentor, minister, community liaison, and women’s advocate; her goal is to empower with every encounter.

Maximizing with Michelle: Jennifer Waggener, founder and executive director of Faith in Action in the Greater Kanawha Valley

Jennifer Waggener is the founder and executive director of Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley.

A South Charleston native, Jennifer attended West Virginia University. Most of her career was spent in corporate administration and marketing, including a long-term role as the Director of Marketing for the Mid-Atlantic region of Skanska, an international construction firm. The Waggeners relocated to Virginia and North Carolina due to career opportunities and lived away for nearly 16 years before the chance to return home presented itself. 

Upon arriving back in West Virginia in 2009, Jennifer accepted a position with the Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia Chapter. It was this job that opened her eyes to the vast unmet needs of our older neighbors and inspired her to start Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley.

Faith in Action provides free volunteer services to senior citizens in Kanawha and Putnam counties. Between 2015-2022, Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley volunteers performed 25,372 hours of service at a value benefit to our community of $608,161, simply through providing meaningful and reliable support for the independent living of older adults in the communities they serve.

In the 9 years since its inception, the program was given an Award of Excellence by the National Volunteer Caregivers Network; was an inaugural recipient of the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation’s Changemaker to Watch award in 2017; and was a 2018 Governor’s Service Award honoree. But Jennifer’s greatest source of pride is simple: it’s the people – volunteers, care receivers, and collaborative partners - who make Faith in Action work, neighbor to neighbor.

 

Margaret O’Neal: Building a Better Community

Margaret O’Neal, President of United Way of Central West Virginia, is Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode. The United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Margaret discusses the organization's critical support services and the upcoming signature event that includes Dr. Foster and other local leaders.

 

Social Workers Supporting Student Success - Chenelle Coy-Williams, LaToya Davis, and LaQwanza Jackson

Chenelle Coy-Williams, LaToya Davis, and LaQwanza Jackson are social workers with Kanawha County Schools, passionately supporting students and their success. 

 

Her friends describe her as passionate with a big heart. Chenelle Coy-Williams is a woman who wears many hats in the Charleston community. Chenelle has been a Keep Your Faith Corporation (KYFC) therapist for the past year and a social worker with the Kanawha County Child Protective Services for the past 15 years. While supporting the students in her school, Chenelle has been able to standardize family support, create strategic interventions and incentives, and emphasize the importance of individual environmental factors and social, emotional, and mental health on attendance, behaviors, and overall academic performance. Recently, KYFC appointed Chenelle as their Outreach Events and Community Engagement Director. Her passion is for youth, and she does her utmost to ensure they have a trauma-free childhood. Chenelle is a 2004 West Virginia State University (WVSU) graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She also earned her Addictions Counselor and Youth Specialist Certification from BridgeValley Community & Technical College in 2013 and a Master of Science in Social Work from Marshall University in 2020.

 

LaToya R. Davis was born and raised in McDowell County, West Virginia. She moved to Charleston to attend WVSU in 1999 and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. LaToya received her Master of Science in Social Work from West Virginia University in 2011. She currently works as an Assistant Attendance Director at Capital High School. For the last 11 years, her focus has been improving students' attendance to increase their likelihood of graduating. LaToya is a member of the All Nations Revival Center and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

 

LaQwanza Jackson is a wife and proud mother of two energetic boys. A native of Brooklyn, New York, LaQwanza's West Virginia journey began in High School. She planned to return to Brooklyn after graduation but chose to stay in West Virginia after receiving a scholarship to WVSU. She graduated from WVSU with her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in May 2005. She then earned a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University in March 2008 and a Master of Science in Social Work from West Virginia University in May 2013. Her Kanawha County Schools career began in August 2013. LaQwanza's past positions included Educational Outreach Counselor at the WVSU Upward Bound Program for three years, WVSU Admissions Counselor and Recruiter for three years, and Social Worker at the Children's Home Society of West Virginia for four years. She is a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated member and is committed to community service.

 

Kezia Campbell-Erskine: An Attorney with a Heart for Youth and Community Development

Kezia Campbell-Erskine is a Guyanese Attorney-at-Law who specialises in public international law and development policy. She holds a Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law from the University of Aberdeen where she studied as a Chevening Scholar. Her legal education commenced at the University of Guyana where she read for a Bachelor of Laws. Following this, she advanced to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago where she obtained a Legal Education Certificate.

Currently, Kezia serves as the Head of the Legal and Treaties Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Guyana, a role which positions her as the Ministry’s principal legal advisor. Through her work, she proffers advice to senior Government officials which contributes to policy-making, safeguarding Guyana’s compliance with its international obligations and strengthening Guyana’s relationships with its international partners. A problem-solver by nature, Kezia believes in facing challenges head-on and enjoys working in a continuously evolving field.

Driven by a deep passion for youth work, Kezia is no stranger to volunteerism and community service. She served as one of Guyana’s youth delegates to the Commonwealth Youth Council, an executive member of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council and a member of several youth-led organisations in Guyana including the National Youth Council and the Benab Foundation. Having overcome many adversities herself, Kezia is always seeking opportunities to help others achieve their goals. She currently serves as a Youth Pastor and Sunday School teacher in her local church. 

Kezia thoroughly enjoys adventure travel with her husband and spending quality time with her family. If not an Attorney, Kezia might have been a chocolatier. She loves making desserts and sharing them with her loved ones.