The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Michelle Foster, Ph.D., serves as the President and CEO of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation since February 2016, bringing extensive experience in leadership and community development. Prior to this role, Michelle was the CEO of KISRA from September 1998 to February 2016, where efforts were focused on strengthening families in West Virginia through health and employment initiatives. Michelle also led Foster Solutions as President/CEO, specializing in community economic development and leadership coaching from October 2010 to January 2016. Earlier career roles included serving as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics at West Virginia State University and working as a Senior Process Engineer at Union Carbide, focusing on polyethylene plant design. Michelle holds a Ph.D. in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, a Master's degree in Engineering Management from Marshall University, and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from The City College of New York.
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The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
As the largest community foundation in Central Appalachia, we award over $13 million in grants and scholarships annually. The Foundation was created in 1962 by and for the people of the Greater Kanawha Valley area. This area encompasses the following six-county region: Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Clay, Lincoln, and Fayette. The Foundation is here to help individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits improve the lives within the community now and for generations to come. We assist donors in creating charitable funds, each with its own philanthropic purpose, and provide grants to nonprofits that meet the needs of the community. The Mission of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is to make thoughtful and proactive investments that grow the multiple forms of wealth necessary for our community to thrive. These forms of wealth include the individual, intellectual, social, cultural, political, natural, built, and financial assets within our community. The Vision of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is a forward-thinking and closely connected community that fearlessly works together to promote the prosperity of all. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These values are central to our mission and to our impact