WORKING TO ACCELERATE A JUST TRANSITION IN APPALACHIA SINCE 2010.

Leadership

Home  /  Leadership

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of the Appalachia Funders Network is the main governing body and is responsible for the growth, development, and well-being of the Network.

It consists of a set group of influential local, state, regional, international, federal, public, and private grantmakers and philanthropic investors who are working collectively to guide the overarching roles, activities, and impacts of the Network. They attend monthly conference calls and serve on at least one Group or ad-hoc committee.

2026 Steering Committee Co-Chairs

Garrett Blaize

Garrett Blaize

Executive Director, Appalachian Community Fund

Laura Nixon

Laura Nixon

Senior Program Director, Educational Foundation of America

2026 Steering Committee Members

Annie Forrest

Annie Forrest

Appalachian Ecosystem Lead, REDF Impact Investing Fund

Ashley Ahlers

Ashley Ahlers

Director, Partnerships and Communication, John Rex Endowment

Baylen Campbell

Baylen Campbell

Director of Programs & Partnerships, Invest Appalachia

Cynthia Brown

Cynthia Brown

Former Board Chair, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation

Heather Parlier

Heather Parlier

Senior Vice President of Operations, Dogwood Health Trust

Jeff Mansour

Jeff Mansour

Program Director, Thompson Charitable Foundation

Kerry Pigman

Kerry Pigman

Executive Director, Athens County Foundation and Representative of Invest Appalachia

Kristin Walker Collins

Kristin Walker Collins

Executive Director, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

Peter Dolkart

Peter Dolkart

Community Development Regional Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Stephanie Randolph

Stephanie Randolph

Managing Director, Purple Tiger Impact, LLC

Staff

Ryan M. Eller

Ryan M. Eller

Executive Director

Jess Mullins Fullen

Jess Mullins Fullen

Programs and Learning Manager

Melody Lutz

Melody Lutz

Research and Data Coordinator

Kalista Pepper

Kalista Pepper

Membership and Network Development Coordinator

Get Involved

Learn More

Want to join us in igniting change in Central Appalachia? Learn more about our member benefits, programming, and how you can help bring opportunity to the communities that need it most.

Learn More