About The Appalachian Innovation Collective
The Appalachian Innovation Collective (AIC) is dedicated to providing tailored leadership and organizational development services to nonprofit organizations, community groups, and emerging leaders. AIC’s services are designed to empower leaders and organizations by offering customized support in a collaborative, one-on-one approach. This partnership allows AIC to work as a peer alongside organizations, helping them achieve their unique goals and realize their full potential.
At the heart of the Collective’s mission is a commitment to fostering effective, empowered leaders equipped with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to drive transformative change in their communities. Whether through executive coaching, organizational development, or community-based initiatives, AIC offers a wide range of services that address leadership challenges, promote financial health, and encourage the growth of sustainable, community-driven organizations.
The AIC was founded in 2021 under the leadership of Stacie Dei, whose 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and development provide a solid foundation for the Collective’s work. Stacie’s expertise in mentoring and coaching nonprofit leaders across the region has made AIC a trusted resource for organizations striving to strengthen their impact.
Who We Are
Stacie Dei
CEO & Founder
stacie@appalachianinnovation.org
Stacie Dei is the founder and director of the Appalachian Innovation Collective, a nonprofit initiative focused on growing leaders, building community, and sparking innovation across rural communities. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, civic engagement, and community development, Stacie brings a heart-forward, action-driven approach to her work.
Stacie Dei
CEO & Founder
stacie@appalachianinnovation.org
Stacie Dei is the founder and director of the Appalachian Innovation Collective, a nonprofit initiative focused on growing leaders, building community, and sparking innovation across rural communities. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, civic engagement, and community development, Stacie brings a heart-forward, action-driven approach to her work.
Under her leadership, the Collective houses initiatives such as Grow West Virginia, which engages communities in civic life and grassroots change, and the Mountain State Leadership Lab, which provides accessible leadership development for emerging and nontraditional leaders across the region.
Stacie’s work is rooted in the belief that rural communities are rich with potential — and that when people are equipped with the right tools, support, and connections, they can lead transformative change from wherever they are. She is passionate about helping people find their voice, their power, and their path forward — especially those who don’t always see themselves as “leaders.”
Her approach blends visionary thinking with practical action, and her programs reflect a deep commitment to equity, authenticity, and inclusive growth.
Rachel Hensley
rachel@appalachianinnovation.org
Rachel serves as a core innovation partner at the Appalachian Innovation Collective, bringing a decade of experience in nonprofit work, program development, and strategic planning. She and Stacie have worked closely together for over 10 years, building a trusted partnership rooted in shared values, creativity, and a deep commitment to rural communities.
Rachel Hensley
COO & Co-Founder
rachel@appalachianinnovation.org
Rachel serves as a core innovation partner at the Appalachian Innovation Collective, bringing a decade of experience in nonprofit work, program development, and strategic planning. She and Stacie have worked closely together for over 10 years, building a trusted partnership rooted in shared values, creativity, and a deep commitment to rural communities.
A graduate of West Liberty University with a degree in Social Work, Rachel discovered her path in the nonprofit world when she joined an organization led by Stacie — a decision that sparked a career built on collaboration, impact, and innovation.
Rachel is a thoughtful strategist and gifted writer whose work has helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for mission-driven initiatives. Her ability to blend big-picture thinking with meticulous attention to detail makes her an essential part of designing and delivering the Collective’s programs.
Driven by a passion for lifelong learning, Rachel believes in the power of accessible knowledge and meaningful opportunity. She is especially drawn to work that equips others to grow, lead, and make change in ways that are true to who they are.
April Miller, Board Member
Executive Director, Tucker County Family Resource Network
2025 Nonprofit Organization & Person of the Year
April Miller has been a driving force in community development and family support services in Tucker County, West Virginia, for more than two decades. Born, raised, and educated in the Mountain State, April returned to her hometown after graduating from Fairmont State University with a deep desire to serve the place and people she loves most.
April Miller, Board Member
Executive Director, Tucker County Family Resource Network
2025 Nonprofit Organization & Person of the Year
April Miller has been a driving force in community development and family support services in Tucker County, West Virginia, for more than two decades. Born, raised, and educated in the Mountain State, April returned to her hometown after graduating from Fairmont State University with a deep desire to serve the place and people she loves most.
Since the founding of the Tucker County Family Resource Network (TCFRN), April has played an integral role—first as a parent volunteer, then as the Starting Points Director, and for over 20 years, as Executive Director. Under her leadership, TCFRN has become a trusted hub for connection, care, and opportunity. She has secured millions in grant funding, expanded critical programs to reach every corner of Tucker County, and mentored FRNs across the state. She also helped reorganize the Alliance of Family Resource Networks, served as its Board President, and led outreach efforts to the West Virginia Legislature. April is deeply rooted in her community and in nature—an avid hiker and biker, she is most at home in the hills she’s worked so hard to strengthen.
Janna Gordon, Board Member
Executive Director, Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
Janna Gordon is a proud Wheeling, West Virginia native whose career has been shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to community service, social impact, and collaborative leadership. A graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University with dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, Janna has spent nearly two decades serving West Virginia families and communities with heart, strategy, and persistence.
Janna Gordon, Board Member
Executive Director, Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
Janna Gordon is a proud Wheeling, West Virginia native whose career has been shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to community service, social impact, and collaborative leadership. A graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University with dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, Janna has spent nearly two decades serving West Virginia families and communities with heart, strategy, and persistence.
Since joining the Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network (BHFRN) in 2015, Janna has advanced through multiple leadership roles before being named Executive Director in 2022. Her tenure has been marked by growth, innovation, and a fierce dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Under her leadership, BHFRN has significantly expanded both its programming and its impact—launching new initiatives focused on food security, housing instability, trauma-informed care, early childhood development, and holistic family wellness.
In the past three years alone, Janna has spearheaded the development of satellite service hubs, enhanced outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, implemented targeted behavioral health supports, and expanded community food distributions across underserved areas. She is also leading BHFRN’s work in maternal health education, youth mentorship, and systems navigation for vulnerable families.
Janna’s leadership has not only transformed BHFRN internally but also elevated its visibility and impact throughout the region. In recognition of the organization’s work under her direction, the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce honored BHFRN as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year—a testament to her ability to connect strategy with compassion and turn vision into meaningful action.
Beyond her work at BHFRN, Janna is a trusted thought partner and advocate across the state. She serves on multiple regional and statewide initiatives, coalitions, committees, and advisory boards aimed at improving conditions for children and families in West Virginia. Whether advising on policy, supporting local collaboratives, or mentoring fellow leaders, she brings an inclusive and equity-centered approach to every table she sits at.
With an unwavering commitment to justice, access, and opportunity, Janna continues to champion programs and partnerships that help West Virginians not only survive—but thrive.
Mark Phillips, Board Member
President & CEO, Catholic Charities West Virginia
Mark Phillips is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities West Virginia, the state’s largest nonprofit social services agency. With a deep commitment to community well-being and equity, Mark leads a statewide team working to alleviate poverty and injustice across West Virginia’s most underserved regions
Mark Phillips, Board Member
President & CEO, Catholic Charities West Virginia
Mark Phillips is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities West Virginia, the state’s largest nonprofit social services agency. With a deep commitment to community well-being and equity, Mark leads a statewide team working to alleviate poverty and injustice across West Virginia’s most underserved regions.
Mark joined Catholic Charities WV in 2019 as the Northern Regional Director and quickly rose through the organization, serving as Chief Operating Officer before being named CEO in 2023. His leadership is grounded in compassion, strategic thinking, and a lifelong dedication to building systems that serve those too often overlooked.
Prior to his work at Catholic Charities, Mark served as Vice President for External Relations and Chief of Staff to two university presidents at Wheeling Jesuit University. He also led operational efforts at Family Resources, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit focused on preventing and treating child abuse. Across every role, he has remained focused on building strong partnerships, leading with integrity, and putting people first.
Mark’s personal story fuels his professional purpose. After losing his younger sister, Angela, to an overdose in 2016, he embraced the opportunity to serve marginalized communities as both a mission and a calling. He brings that heart-centered leadership to every board he serves on, including Grow West Virginia, West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Regional Economic Development Partnership, CHANGE, Inc., and the WV First Foundation’s Region 1 Expert Panel.
A native of southwestern Pennsylvania, Mark holds a B.A. from St. Vincent College and an M.A. from Duquesne University. He lives in West Virginia with his wife, Dr. Amy Criniti Phillips, and their son, Benjamin. Whether in the boardroom or the community, Mark leads with humility, hope, and a relentless belief in the power of service.
Ways We Help
The Appalachian Innovation Collective offers a wide variety of services for nonprofits and their leaders, including:
Leadership Development
Organizational Development
Project Design & Implementation
Civic Engagement
Working Genius Certified Facilitator
How You Can Work With Us
The Appalachian Innovation Collective offers a suite of services such as workshops, speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, and more. Contact us to explore ways we can partner together.