WVFF Announces Statewide Expert Panel Members Following Board Approval

WEST VIRGINIA (October 6, 2025) – The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) is proud to announce an update to its Expert Panel structure following action taken at the Board of Directors meeting on September 18, 2025.

In June 2025, WVFF announced the appointment of its inaugural Regional Expert Panel members. These individuals, appointed in accordance with the Foundation’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Expert Panel Policy, represent critical areas of expertise across prevention, treatment, recovery/lived experience, systems of care, law enforcement/judicial systems, first responders, and corrections/reentry. Regional Panels serve as vital local advisors, reviewing grant proposals, collecting data, and ensuring regional voices help shape funding decisions.

As one of their first tasks, Regional Expert Panels nominated subject matter experts to serve on the Statewide Expert Panel. The slate of nominees was presented at the September 18, 2025, board meeting and approved by the full Board of Directors. All nominees have since confirmed their acceptance.

Several members of the Regional Expert Panels have transitioned to the Statewide Expert Panel, while additional statewide seats were filled by new individuals who bring fresh expertise and perspectives. To maintain full membership, the Regional Panels nominated and confirmed new experts to fill seats vacated by those elevated to the statewide level.

The Statewide Expert Panel provides strategic recommendations to the WVFF Board of Directors by reviewing regional findings, identifying statewide priorities, and ensuring funding decisions align with the Foundation’s mission and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Together, the Statewide and Regional Panels form a unified advisory structure designed to connect local insight with statewide strategy.

“This represents the next step in building a strong advisory structure that brings together both local and statewide perspectives to guide the Foundation’s work,” said Greg Duckworth, Interim Chairman of the WVFF Board of Directors. “We are grateful to these experts for their willingness to serve in these important roles. Their diverse experiences will help strengthen the Foundation’s ability to deliver meaningful impact.”

All Expert Panel positions, both Regional and Statewide, are volunteer roles. Members are not employed by the Foundation but serve independently, offering their time, professional expertise, and, for some, lived experience to help guide funding priorities and strengthen community impact.

A full list of Regional and Statewide Expert Panel members can be found in the tables below or on the WVFF website at https://wvfirst.org/expert-panels/.