Meet the Team...

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Dena Cushman, Executive Director 

Dena studied Business Administration and Economics at the University of Wisconsin and received her B.S. degree from Concord University. Prior to joining Beckley Area Foundation she was employed at the YMCA of Southern West Virginia for 10 years.  During her tenure there she served as Business Service Director and Financial Officer before becoming the Associate Executive Director.  She continues to work as a volunteer for the YMCA and the Carpenter's Corner.  Dena is active in Leave A Legacy of Central Appalachia program having served as secretary, regional chair and as the current program chair.  She is a member of United Methodist Temple where she has served on a numerous committees, taught children’s Sunday school classes and participates in the church hand bell choir. 

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Rebecca Williams, 
​Chief Financial Officer

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 MS 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 was employed at Hess, Stewart & Campbell, PLLC for six years. During her time there, she worked in many areas including audits, tax preparation, and small business accounting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Justin and son Eric. They attend Faith Freewill Baptist Church in her hometown of Danese, WV. ​

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Sharon Lilly, Senior Program Director

Sharon is a graduate of Concord University receiving a B.S. in Secondary Education and received a M.A. Communication Studies from West Virginia University.  Prior to joining Beckley Area Foundation she was employed at Raleigh General Hospital fulfilling roles in the education, human resources and quality assurance departments.    Sharon serves on the Black Diamond Girl Scouts board of directors and served as a member of the United Way of Southern West Virginia’s newly formd women’s leadership committee and is a reader for their Mabscott Elementary program. She is a member of Daniels Missionary Baptist Church where she has worked with a number of children’s programs.

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Aimee Word, Director of Communications

Aimee is a graduate of Stetson University in DeLand, FL where she grew up.  After receiving her BBA in Entrepreneurial Management she moved to California to pursue a career as Assistant Director of Customer Relations for Montevina Winery.  Upon returning to Florida, she began working as an Admissions Counselor for her Alma Mater, Stetson University.  During that time she volunteered as Director of the Student Ambassador program, HOME Team Founder/Coordinator and University Liaison for the National Science Foundation.  However, after a trip to Southern WV in January 2009, she fell in love with our area and decided to move here that April.  She met her husband here, Matt Word, and for the last 8 years they have been a local entrepreneurs.