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. Dena currently serves on the board of  Philanthropy WV and the University of Charleston ADN Advisory Committee. She is an active member of Quota Club of Beckley. She is a member of United Methodist Temple where she has served on a numerous committees.

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Rebecca Williams, CPA
​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. She faithfully attends Faith Freewill Baptist Church in her hometown of Danese, WV with her husband and children.

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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 formed 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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Shirmira (Myra) Harbin
Administrative Assistant

Shirmira joined the BAF staff in June 2018. She has an A.S. in Business Administration and is currently completing her B.A. in Business Management online at American Public University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2020. Prior to joining the Beckley Area Foundation she worked as an Accounting/Title clerk for a local car dealership. Shirmira is an active member of  the United Apostolic Faith Church, here in the city of Beckley, where she works with many different ministries. In her free time, Shirmira enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, planting, singing and traveling.

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Charlee Fox, Esq.
Scholarship Coordinator

Charlee graduated summa cum laude from Shepherd University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2017, and is licensed to practice law in New Mexico. Prior to joining the Beckley Area Foundation, Charlee served as a federal judicial law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and worked for a corporate law firm. She currently owns and operates her own consulting firm, Fox, LLC, and serves as remote adjunct faculty in the political science department at Valdosta State University. Outside of her professional career, she enjoys spending time roaming the wonderful hills and paddling the wild rivers of West Virginia.

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Sam Babcock
Communications and Grant Program Coordinator

Sam graduated from Marshall University in 2015 with a B.S. in Advertising and is certified in numerous analytics/advertising programs. Prior to joining the Beckley Area Foundation, he managed analytics, digital advertising campaigns, email/social channels and reporting at Digital Relativity for 4 years. He currently lives in Fayetteville, WV and enjoys spending time with family, traveling and enjoying the outdoors.