Dedicated. Trusted. Local.
Meet the Team Behind BAF’s Mission
The Beckley Area Foundation is powered by a dedicated team of staff members who care deeply about our mission and the communities we serve every day.
The Beckley Area Foundation is powered by a dedicated team of staff members who care deeply about our mission and the communities we serve every day.
Dena studied Business Administration and Economics at the University of Wisconsin and earned her Bachelor of Science from Concord University.
Before joining Beckley Area Foundation in 2002, she dedicated a decade to the YMCA of Southern West Virginia, where she served as Business Service Director and Financial Officer and was later promoted to Associate Executive Director. Her expertise in financial management and organizational leadership has been a cornerstone of her work in the nonprofit sector.
Dena currently serves on the board of Philanthropy WV, the University of Charleston Nursing Advisory Board, the Raleigh County Board of Education Parent Advisory Council, and the Council on Foundations National Standards Review Committee. She is also an active member of the Quota Club of Beckley and the Rotary Club of Beckley and attends Glade Community Church.
Dena is the proud mother of two grown children and cherishes time spent with her children and grandson. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and hiking.
With a strong foundation in business, finance, and community engagement, Dena remains committed to strengthening organizations and serving the community she calls home.
Rebecca graduated magna cum laude from Marshall University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. She then went on to obtain her M.S. in accounting as a graduate with distinction from Liberty University in 2011. Rebecca became a Certified Public Accountant in 2016 and is a member of AICPA and WV Society of CPAs. Prior to joining Beckley Area Foundation, she worked in public accounting for six years. Rebecca is a lifelong WV resident, her hometown is Danese, WV and now resides in Daniels, WV with her husband and two children. Her free time is devoted to spending quality time with her family, being involved at Crow Baptist Church and reading a good book!
Melanie is a 1997 graduate of The College of West Virginia with a B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She then graduated in 2008 with a M.S. in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University. Melanie has spent most of her professional career teaching in Higher Education at The College of West Virginia, Mountain State University, University of Charleston, and Bluefield State University. As an Assistant Professor she has taught numerous students in the medical field of Sonography. Her passion is for students to succeed in their educational endeavors. Melanie is a member at Faith Community Church and serves on several ministries within the church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and getting a good run in when possible.
Brandon graduated in 2005 from Concord University with a B.S. degree in secondary social studies education. In 2012, he received a M.A. in social studies education from Concord University. Currently, he is a teacher at Shady Spring High School where he serves as the social studies department chair and member of the leadership team. Brandon is also one of the coordinators for Next Step, a program designed to assist high school seniors with post-secondary plans. He is an active member of Faith Community Church. Brandon spends most of his free time with his wife and six children.
Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Concord College in 1974 and later received a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from West Virginia University.
Her early career was spent in Inservice Education at Raleigh General Hospital. After returning to the workforce in the early 2000s, Sharon joined the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) as Office Manager and later advanced to Program Coordinator, where she oversaw both the scholarship and community grant programs.
Following her retirement from BAF in 2019, Sharon returned part-time in 2024 and currently works on historical data and special projects as needed.
Sharon is an active member of Daniels Missionary Baptist Church. Outside of her work with BAF, she treasures her roles as a mother and grandmother and enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and appreciating all that life has to offer.
Savannah is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and played softball. During her time at Wesleyan, she completed multiple internships in marketing, graphic design, and digital media. These experiences gave her hands-on skills in content creation, brand development, communications strategy, and community outreach.
As a native of Dagsboro, Delaware, Savannah is passionate about leveraging her skills to strengthen community connection and support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in southern West Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and reading good books.
