Fostering Solutions

Fostering Solutions

By mfoster1231Society & Culture
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Fostering Solutions episodes

  • Mara Boggs - Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

    Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we spotlight dynamic leaders who strengthen

    communities through vision, resilience, and innovation. 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, I’m joined by an inspiring leader whose journey
    from military service to civic leadership exemplifies courage and purpose — Mara
    Boggs.
    Mara is the new President and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance and Chamber of
    Commerce, where she’s leading efforts to spark growth, attract people and investment,
    and build a thriving Kanawha County. Her career spans nearly 30 years of public
    service, including 13 years as an active-duty Army Engineer officer — serving in Iraq
    and Afghanistan — where she became the first woman commander of her unit in
    the 82nd Airborne Division, named the best engineer unit in the Army during her
    tenure. After leaving the military to pursue greater work-life balance, Mara served for
    more than a decade as senior congressional staff to Senator Joe Manchin, championing
    jobs, opportunity, and hope for West Virginians.
    In this conversation, Mara opens up about leading through uncertainty — the values
    that grounded her, the pivotal decisions that strengthened her team, and the lessons
    she’s carried forward about innovation, communication, and care in leadership. We’ll
    explore how her experiences — from the battlefield to Capitol Hill — continue to shape
    her vision for community and economic development in West Virginia.
    Stay tuned as we discuss how she held her mission together during challenging times,
    what gives her hope today, and how her story offers powerful guidance for every leader
    navigating change.

    25 min
  • 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.

    27 min
  • 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.

    25 min
  • 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.

    25 min
  • 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.

    25 min
  • 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.

    26 min
  • 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.

    28 min
  • 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.

    26 min
  • 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.

    28 min
  • 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.

    31 min

About Fostering Solutions

From the publisher's feed

The Fostering Solutions podcast, with Dr. Michelle Foster, uplifts people and enterprises making a positive community impact in Appalachia and Urban America.