# Collaboration in philanthropy June 04, 2026 • 5 minutes ## Jennifer Reed Goddard | Episode 38 [Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8RANLALBrQ?rel=0&controls=1&fs=0&modestbranding=1&cc_load_policy=1) × Introduction and Guest Background Jennifer Reed Goddard (0:00) We need those people with all the different skills. We need people who do not just have time or money, but people who are passionate and excited about the work. I have seen through my work over the years, certainly at the YWCA and also with Philanthropy West Virginia in the last year, that people care about the organizations they volunteer with. We need to keep feeding that and making sure people support the organizations they are passionate about, or help them find the passion. You might not know you are passionate, but you might have skills and you might have time. Host (0:43) Welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast. Today we have a leader shaping the future of philanthropy and collaboration in the state of West Virginia. Host (0:51) Jennifer Reed Goddard is the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia, the statewide network that brings together grantmakers, foundations, corporate funders, United Ways, and individual philanthropists to strengthen communities and increase impact. Host (1:07) With a career spanning nonprofit leadership, communications, and strategic partnership building, Jennifer has dedicated her work to connecting people, aligning resources, and advancing mission-driven solutions. Host (1:19) Today, we are going to explore how her leadership journey has evolved, what effective collaboration really looks like, and how intentional philanthropy can drive meaningful change across a community. Let’s dive in. Jennifer, welcome to Degrees of Success. Host (1:34) I recently listened to your feature on a podcast called Fostering Solutions. One thing that struck me was your passion for community involvement at a very young age. You had told a story about you and your mother lobbying to get a school bus for your local community. I am curious: looking back at that lobbying or that community involvement that you had at a young age, did you understand the magnitude of the impact of what that school bus would bring to your community? And how else has your family influenced the way that you serve your community today? Early Community Involvement and Family Influence Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:07) That is a great question. In hindsight, no, that was just something my mom and dad were really all about: do what needs done. Take care of your community, take care of whatever needs to be done, and do not wait for other people to step up. That is what we do. We step up and help in our community in any way we can. Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:29) It was not a matter of, “This is the most important thing for me.” It was more like, “Mom said we are going to go do this,” and we went and did it. Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:36) But it was important. The community I lived in did not have sidewalks, and it was really important to make sure that people could get to school safely, in my mom’s opinion. She and the other moms got together, and they went out with all the kids in tow. We knocked on doors and told people how important it was. Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:56) I am very fortunate that my parents instilled in my brother and me the importance of doing what is right and doing what is important for the greater good in most cases. It is not just about you. It is about everybody in the community. Host (3:10) What was your education like growing up in West Virginia? What were you most interested in in school, subject-wise? Jennifer Reed Goddard (3:16) I had a really great opportunity. It was a very small school, just because of the luck of the draw. When I moved into Charleston in the 1970s, it was really booming. There were a lot of people coming into the community, and I was not the only new kid in the neighborhood. Jennifer Reed Goddard (3:40) There were quite a few other people who were new in the neighborhood and in the school. Charleston, West Virginia, is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. It is a small town, and it is a city. So we have vibrant cultural opportunities, lots of natural beauty, and lots of diversity in the community. Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:03) I have been really fortunate to have been here for most of my life. We have so many different opportunities for people even to this day. Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:12) We have a ballet, there is a symphony, there is a museum, and we are 20 minutes down the road from some hiking and biking. We are an hour from some of the best world-class whitewater rafting. We are two or three hours away from amazing skiing, snow skiing, and snowboarding, all within our state. Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:30) So it is a really great place to live and work, and I am really lucky that I get to be here. Host (4:35) That is amazing. I would like to talk a little bit more about your education. I know you have your undergraduate degree in journalism, and that led into a career in public relations and eventually into philanthropy. What attracted you to the field of mass communication? And as someone who also studied communication, what keeps you in the industry? Education in Journalism and Public Relations Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:59) At my heart, I would say I am a storyteller. I have always enjoyed stories. You asked earlier what one of my favorite subjects was, and really I enjoyed reading, writing, and creative writing. I had a lot of opportunity to explore those things. Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:12) As simple as it was, doing school newspaper work gave me a chance to be on the school newspaper in junior high and then in high school. Journalism was a really great place for me in my education. Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:32) When I went to college, Ohio University had an amazing journalism program that is constantly in the top 10 of journalism schools. I learned early on how to write on deadline, how to be accurate, and how to be accountable for what you say. When you are telling someone’s story, you want to be accountable. Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:51) I think those were all great things that came into play in how my career evolved, because when someone trusts you with their story, you have to do the right thing. Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:00) I really enjoy the opportunity to tell people’s stories and share information. Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:06) I have always had great leaders in the community and great mentors in the different career opportunities I have had, and they really helped me grow and continue expanding my career in some exciting and meaningful ways. Host (6:24) Are there any specific mentors from your college days that come to mind when you think about where you are in your career now? Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:34) It is funny because when I was in college, I did not always have a great experience with some of my professors. Some were so focused on true journalism, and because I was going into public relations, some of the J-school guys were just like, “You are in PR. You are not a serious journalist.” Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:56) But I had a great professor in ethics, and he was one of those people who treated students like they were adults. He trusted us. He gave us license to explore ideas and try different things. Jennifer Reed Goddard (7:13) When we were turning in assignments, he was really big on real-life examples and learning from real-life scenarios that he brought to us in the classroom. Having someone who was teaching ethics and expecting us to hold ourselves to an ethical standard early in our journalism careers was really important. Jennifer Reed Goddard (7:39) He did not push us to give these really obscure examples. He wanted us to take what we learned and what we knew, apply that, and then take what he was teaching and sharing with us to make sure that we kept ethics as the constant, whether we were working in straight-up journalism, newscasting, broadcast, print, or public relations. Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:10) Public relations gets a bad reputation because people think about it as spin. But there are ethical standards for people in public relations. I am a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and I am accredited in public relations, so there is an ethical standard and a code of conduct that people expect us to adhere to. Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:33) Having that grounding early in my educational life has really carried through everything that I do. Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:39) I also had parents who expected me to be accountable. When you have important people in your life who reinforce the things you have learned and heard your whole life, you realize there are things you want to hold on to. Pursuing a Master’s Degree and Career Development Host (8:54) Whenever you were experiencing your undergraduate education, was graduate education something that was in the forefront of your mind? Or when did that come into play? When did you think that you needed to take that next step into getting a master’s degree in organizational leadership? Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:16) In hindsight, I realized I was just in a hurry to get out there and start working, which now I think was really ridiculous. I should have enjoyed it more. I should not have been in a hurry to get into my career. Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:31) But my parents said, “You have four years, get it done.” So I did. And when I graduated, I wanted to get a job. I thought, “I have this degree in public relations, I have made these great contacts, I had a great internship, and I am going to go to the big city and get a great job.” Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:50) When I graduated, it was really challenging to find a job in public relations, and I think it was really challenging to find a job anywhere. So I moved home, which was fortunate. Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:56) Using all those newly minted skills, I used to tell people, “I have a degree in journalism and public relations and I am looking for a job. Do you know of anything, or know of anyone who could hire me?” Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:13) Within a couple of months that paid off, and I ended up getting my first big full-time job. Then that just kept happening. I have always been able to network and use my contacts to keep moving to the next thing. Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:27) I was ready to get into work and did not really have an idea that I wanted to get a master’s degree. Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:37) It was not until I had been working for quite a few years and had a great environment and great bosses that they said, “You have been working here for a couple of years now and we really want to see people that we think can move into the management track get a degree, start learning a little bit more, and get a master’s degree. How do you think you might want to do that? How can we help you with that?” Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:00) Because they were willing to support me while I was working full time—and this was before it was so easy to do everything online—I had certain ideas. I really did not want to have to take accounting that much. I did not really want to get into a lot of the business courses I did not especially enjoy in undergrad. Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:25) So I really looked for a program that was going to help me grow in certain aspects. Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:32) I felt like being able to learn more about human resource management and really learn about management, sort of like an MBA but without the accounting and statistics side, was what really sold me on that program. Work with West Virginia Kids Count and Impact on Children Host (11:49) I want to go back to something real quick. You started talking about the beginning of your career. In your bio, you mentioned you kind of credit the beginning as your role as the Director of Communication for West Virginia Kids Count Fund, where you produced the first four annual data books on the well-being of children and families, which continues to this day, from my understanding. I would like you to tell us a little bit about what those data books mean, how they came to life, and how does it make you feel knowing that it has this lasting impact? Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:17) I really felt like the work I was doing when I was at the Kids Count Fund was so important because I did not recognize it when I was a kid, but I certainly recognized it as an adult. As I worked in child advocacy, I realized not every child has a very positive experience growing up. Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:42) There are always children who are hungry, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are living with people—maybe they are in foster care or living with people who are struggling. Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:54) Being part of that opportunity in West Virginia, our mission was really to connect people in West Virginia to help change the trajectory of children’s lives in our state and improve it for the better. Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:07) My experience and skill set in telling people’s stories and explaining why it was important to help change the lives of children in West Virginia was really a great opportunity. It was a position where I was able to use a lot of my skills and strengths and learn more about connecting with people and building those long-term strategies. Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:38) That was a great thing about it. In the four years I was there, we did a lot to call attention. We worked to partner schools and businesses and different backgrounds to work on the common purpose of improving the lives of West Virginia’s children and families. Transition from Corporate PR to Nonprofit Leadership Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:55) It is really important because, sadly, I do not think a lot of things have changed in terms of the statistics in our state. But I have seen so many important programs and so many solutions that are really great solutions. Jennifer Reed Goddard (14:19) But because so many people want to be one and done, they think they can throw money at something one time and it is going to fix it. Jennifer Reed Goddard (14:28) To me, that is the exciting part about where I am now in philanthropy. I can work with funders, understand their goals and needs, and help build things that may actually change because I can help tell the story and remind people that you cannot just band-aid things. You really have to be a reliable partner in changing the opportunities for West Virginia’s children and families. Host (14:59) That is beautiful. You also just kind of answered my next question too. You worked in corporate communication for many years, even doing consulting for Fortune 500s, but ended up shifting back into the nonprofit world. You moved into being the chief program officer and eventually the CEO for the YWCA Charleston, and now you are the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. I am curious if you could expand on one benefit and one challenge to working in the corporate PR industry or the corporate industry versus working in the nonprofit industry. Jennifer Reed Goddard (15:36) Working in the corporate arena, you have a lot more resources and also, I think, less control when you are in a true corporate setting because I was in an organization, for example, that was operating across 17 states. There were people who often did not really understand what we were doing. Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:03) It was my job in corporate communications to explain a project that was highly technical and involved moving dirt and earth, replacing pipelines, and making sure people understood that it was really important that the work had to happen. Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:17) It was unfortunate that some people had built a structure crossing that right of way. It was my job to help them understand how important it was that the project coming through their community was going to help make sure it happened safely and support the infrastructure of the entire state in energy utilities. Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:41) It was great because we had a lot of resources, and it was also challenging because I was far enough down the food chain that I did not get to make the big decisions. I had to implement the strategies and support the goals in the work we were doing, kind of boots on the ground. Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:00) It was challenging, exciting, and really great being in that corporate environment. That is how I got my master’s degree, because I do not think I could have afforded that at the time or pursued it if I had been in the nonprofit arena. Because I was in a corporate environment, they gave me the support I needed to make that happen. Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:22) On the nonprofit side of things, you have your mission, your passion, and your energy to do the work, but it can be really challenging to find the resources. It is a constant struggle. Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:32) In today’s environment, with federal funding being cut, there are even more demands on all the funders in the world who are being asked to support nonprofits doing great work, but through no fault of their own, they find themselves having their budgets cut because they were heavily reliant on federal funding to do programming that is vitally important to people in their community. About Philanthropy West Virginia and Its Mission Host (18:05) Today, as we have talked about, you serve as the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. Tell us a little bit about the mission of Philanthropy West Virginia and your hope for the future of the organization with you at the helm. Jennifer Reed Goddard (18:18) I have been with Philanthropy West Virginia since the beginning of 2025, and it is an organization that has been around in our state for 31 years. The mission is to create a community of philanthropy, to build the network of people who are supporting all of the nonprofits in our state to improve the lives of families and those who live here. Jennifer Reed Goddard (18:46) Our funders run the gamut. We have community foundations, private foundations, United Ways, corporate foundations, and a large array of different organizations who are committed to making our state a better place for everyone. Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:07) Every organization has its own unique mission, or they operate within the codicil of their benefactor, the founder of their organization. So there are a lot of different voices and a lot of different facets to philanthropy in West Virginia. Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:28) Through the work that I do, it is my role to make sure they are getting information that affects philanthropy. For example, during some of the changes happening in 2025 with the federal budget cuts, I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of folks in the nonprofit world. Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:50) I sat in on so many conference calls over a couple of weeks trying to understand the scope and magnitude of what was happening to organizations doing great work, and then distill that information and share it with our members so they could understand what was happening. Jennifer Reed Goddard (20:10) During the government shutdown, when people were unsure where their next meal was going to come from, I had an opportunity to share with our network all of the work happening in real time and how they might consider changing the way they did things or expanding in some areas so they could move more quickly. Jennifer Reed Goddard (20:39) Philanthropy cannot fill all the gaps, but it certainly is important in every community. It is important to make sure philanthropy has the best chance to understand its role in the community and how it can fill in where necessary during times of crisis. Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:00) It is not just been during the federal issues. We have also had tremendous flooding in West Virginia. We have had a lot of challenges during this year. The Role of Volunteers and Community Engagement Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:06) We had big waves of flooding that happened across our state, and it has been really challenging to make sure philanthropy has been able to step up and guide the resources where they needed to be. Host (21:29) One thing that always inspires me whenever tragedy or natural disasters happen is when the nonprofit community really mobilizes. What kind of mobilization excites you when these things happen? Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:47) For me, it is really understanding how people know what their role is. When people are not worried about turf issues, they are really focused on getting results and getting things fixed in the right way. Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:06) That is what really excites me. I have seen a difference in my career: a lot of the really good-hearted people do not have the ego associated with their work. They are in it for the work and for the greater good, and they step up to help support people so they can get information more quickly and get connected more quickly. Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:27) That is the most important thing. I think we have a really strong network in our state of funders, nonprofits, government agencies, and regular people who are leaders by default. They are not elected officials, they are not paid to do certain jobs, but they are community leaders and people look to them in times of crisis and say, “How can we all help each other?” And people really make great things happen. Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:58) One of the most special things about West Virginia is that people have always stood together in times of crisis. They have always realized that sometimes no one is coming from the outside to help, and they just help each other. Jennifer Reed Goddard (23:14) Sometimes you will have people who really do not have a lot of resources, but they are still out there helping each other because that is the way people in West Virginia work. Host (23:22) What sort of advice would you give to someone who is wanting to get involved either with Philanthropy West Virginia or just nonprofit work, or getting more involved in their community similar to the way that you have over the years? Jennifer Reed Goddard (23:34) If you look backward to early in my career, even after I left the nonprofit sector, I had people in my career who supported me volunteering. That is something that in West Virginia for sure, and really all over the country, communities run on volunteers. Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:00) If you are a supervisor and you have a lot of staff, maybe you are at a point in your career like I am, helping mentor younger employees in your organization is a great development opportunity. Say, “Why do you not find a board that speaks to you, a mission that speaks to you, and join a board of directors? Spend that time helping others and building your own skills.” Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:25) When I was in my twenties, they asked me to be the treasurer after I had been on a board for two years. I said, “That is not really my thing.” But they said, “Oh, you can do it. We will help you.” Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:39) It built my skills. It built my confidence. It helped me in my career because I was able to do things in an environment where I was supported and wanted, and they did not really care that I did not have credentials. I think that is really important. Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:57) From where I sit, I have seen a shift. I do not think there are quite as many people who are serving as volunteers. They may do the one-and-done thing, like go volunteer for a day to pack food boxes, which is really important. Or they may run a race and raise money, or donate money, and we need all of those things. Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:20) But I do think we still need volunteers. The only way you can continue to have a community that is growing and prospering is if you have people who are willing to spend their time and volunteer in meaningful ways, and there is something for everyone. Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:33) In my career, I have been involved in a wide variety of different nonprofit boards because I love so many different opportunities. I love the ballet, so I was on the board for the ballet in our community. I am passionate about women’s health issues, so I was on the board of directors for the women’s health organization. Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:59) I was on our capital market board of directors, which is a nonprofit economic development organization for the farmers market and some indoor shopping. It is a fantastic place, and it created that third space for our community. Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:11) It is really important. And as someone who is on a nonprofit payroll, being able to have board members I can count on is vitally important. Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:23) We need those people with all the different skills. We need people who do not just have time or money, but people who are passionate and excited about the work. Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:32) I have seen through my work over the years, certainly at the YWCA and also with Philanthropy West Virginia in the last year, that people care about the organizations they volunteer in. We need to keep feeding that and making sure people support the organizations they are passionate about, or find the passion. Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:53) You might not know you are passionate, but you might have skills and you might have time. Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:01) When I was on the Habitat for Humanity Marketing Committee, I am not a builder, but I learned a lot about how you build a house, how you finance a house, and how you get volunteers involved in building a house from the ground up. Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:13) It was really exciting. People need to find that passion and find that way to help elevate everyone in their community through service and community activities. Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:27) It is just as much an education as formally going to school is an education. Learning from real-life experience and seeing the scaffolding that forms around nonprofits and philanthropy is that inspiring click for some people where they can say, “Oh, I am capable of doing this.” Host (27:47) Right, you are exactly right. And it also builds great networks. We are all connected, and when you run into someone you know, it is often because you end up showing up at the same events or they are on a committee now for an organization like Philanthropy West Virginia. Host (28:02) I did not know that at the time when I was interviewing for the job, but it has been nice to reconnect with people I knew early in my career who are volunteers for this organization. It really makes a difference. Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:16) Yes, it does. Reflections on Success and Future Goals Host (28:22) I do have one last question for you. As you look back at your career, as we have been talking about it today, how has your vision of success changed from your younger self who was helping your mom lobby for a school bus to now, when you are working to bring together nonprofits and organizations and leaders from all over your community? Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:41) That is a great question. I think the most important thing is to be known as someone with integrity, someone who is accountable for their own actions. Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:55) I would not have defined success when I was younger in that way, but when I have talked with people, and every career has its ups and downs and challenges, being able to have people say, “We knew we could count on you. We knew you were the kind of person we needed in this organization,” was really gratifying. Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:16) When you work hard and continue to focus on the work, that is what gets you the best results. Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:29) If you are in it for the glory and the money, that satisfaction might not ever come. Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:36) I have been really fortunate. I have been really passionate about my jobs over time. Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:43) I am really grateful for the opportunity to have work that I am passionate about and to have great satisfaction in the work I do. Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:58) At the end of the day, I can walk away and enjoy my life outside of work. They are not mutually exclusive. It has been exciting to find an opportunity where I can have a great career and a great life, and work with really smart and passionate people. Jennifer Reed Goddard (30:21) West Virginia, as I have said, is a really underrated, underappreciated place. A lot of folks would be pleasantly surprised if they came here. They might want to stay. Host (30:35) Jennifer Reed Goddard is the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. Thank you so much for joining me on the Degrees of Success podcast. Jennifer Reed Goddard (30:43) Thanks for having me. I enjoyed it. ## Listen to the podcast episode Collaboration in Philanthropy: Jennifer Reed Goddard  [Embedded content](https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6e8V5yYZChF00b17F8rxJv?utm_source=generator&theme=0) 1. Show Notes 2. Transcript Show Notes In this video, we explain collaboration in statewide philanthropy, including how organizations coordinate funding, communication, and response when communities face urgent needs. Jennifer walks through how the process works in practice: convening stakeholders, sharing situational updates, aligning goals, and reducing duplicated effort so resources can move with clearer intent. The episode also covers what audiences should consider before taking action—such as understanding roles (funders vs. frontline providers), setting expectations for timelines, and balancing immediate relief with sustained support. This content matters because nonprofits often operate under tight capacity and shifting conditions, and collaboration can improve decision-making and speed up problem-solving across a network. Typical outcomes include faster coordination during disruptions, clearer pathways for donors and partners to contribute, and longer-term relationships that make future responses smoother. Chapters in this video: 00:00 Intro and guest overview 01:32 Yellowstone hike story and risk awareness 05:15 Early community advocacy (school bus story) 07:05 Growing up and education in West Virginia 08:43 Journalism, ethics, and storytelling skills 13:01 Why she pursued a master’s in organizational leadership 15:33 WV Kids Count data books and child advocacy impact 19:23 Corporate vs. nonprofit work: resources and constraints 22:03 Role of statewide networks and partner convening 25:13 Coordination during emergencies and funding disruptions 27:22 Ways to get involved through volunteering and boards 32:26 Redefining success: integrity and accountability Transcript **Introduction and Guest Background** **Jennifer Reed Goddard (0:00)** We need those people with all the different skills. We need people who do not just have time or money, but people who are passionate and excited about the work. I have seen through my work over the years, certainly at the YWCA and also with Philanthropy West Virginia in the last year, that people care about the organizations they volunteer with. We need to keep feeding that and making sure people support the organizations they are passionate about, or help them find the passion. You might not know you are passionate, but you might have skills and you might have time. **Host (0:43)** Welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast. Today we have a leader shaping the future of philanthropy and collaboration in the state of West Virginia. **Host (0:51)** Jennifer Reed Goddard is the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia, the statewide network that brings together grantmakers, foundations, corporate funders, United Ways, and individual philanthropists to strengthen communities and increase impact. **Host (1:07)** With a career spanning nonprofit leadership, communications, and strategic partnership building, Jennifer has dedicated her work to connecting people, aligning resources, and advancing mission-driven solutions. **Host (1:19)** Today, we are going to explore how her leadership journey has evolved, what effective collaboration really looks like, and how intentional philanthropy can drive meaningful change across a community. Let’s dive in. Jennifer, welcome to Degrees of Success. **Host (1:34)** I recently listened to your feature on a podcast called_Fostering Solutions_. One thing that struck me was your passion for community involvement at a very young age. You had told a story about you and your mother lobbying to get a school bus for your local community. I am curious: looking back at that lobbying or that community involvement that you had at a young age, did you understand the magnitude of the impact of what that school bus would bring to your community? And how else has your family influenced the way that you serve your community today? **Early Community Involvement and Family Influence** **Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:07)** That is a great question. In hindsight, no, that was just something my mom and dad were really all about: do what needs done. Take care of your community, take care of whatever needs to be done, and do not wait for other people to step up. That is what we do. We step up and help in our community in any way we can. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:29)** It was not a matter of, “This is the most important thing for me.” It was more like, “Mom said we are going to go do this,” and we went and did it. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:36)** But it was important. The community I lived in did not have sidewalks, and it was really important to make sure that people could get to school safely, in my mom’s opinion. She and the other moms got together, and they went out with all the kids in tow. We knocked on doors and told people how important it was. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (2:56)** I am very fortunate that my parents instilled in my brother and me the importance of doing what is right and doing what is important for the greater good in most cases. It is not just about you. It is about everybody in the community. **Host (3:10)** What was your education like growing up in West Virginia? What were you most interested in in school, subject-wise? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (3:16)** I had a really great opportunity. It was a very small school, just because of the luck of the draw. When I moved into Charleston in the 1970s, it was really booming. There were a lot of people coming into the community, and I was not the only new kid in the neighborhood. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (3:40)** There were quite a few other people who were new in the neighborhood and in the school. Charleston, West Virginia, is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. It is a small town, and it is a city. So we have vibrant cultural opportunities, lots of natural beauty, and lots of diversity in the community. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:03)** I have been really fortunate to have been here for most of my life. We have so many different opportunities for people even to this day. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:12)** We have a ballet, there is a symphony, there is a museum, and we are 20 minutes down the road from some hiking and biking. We are an hour from some of the best world-class whitewater rafting. We are two or three hours away from amazing skiing, snow skiing, and snowboarding, all within our state. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:30)** So it is a really great place to live and work, and I am really lucky that I get to be here. **Host (4:35)** That is amazing. I would like to talk a little bit more about your education. I know you have your undergraduate degree in journalism, and that led into a career in public relations and eventually into philanthropy. What attracted you to the field of mass communication? And as someone who also studied communication, what keeps you in the industry? **Education in Journalism and Public Relations** **Jennifer Reed Goddard (4:59)** At my heart, I would say I am a storyteller. I have always enjoyed stories. You asked earlier what one of my favorite subjects was, and really I enjoyed reading, writing, and creative writing. I had a lot of opportunity to explore those things. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:12)** As simple as it was, doing school newspaper work gave me a chance to be on the school newspaper in junior high and then in high school. Journalism was a really great place for me in my education. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:32)** When I went to college, Ohio University had an amazing journalism program that is constantly in the top 10 of journalism schools. I learned early on how to write on deadline, how to be accurate, and how to be accountable for what you say. When you are telling someone’s story, you want to be accountable. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (5:51)** I think those were all great things that came into play in how my career evolved, because when someone trusts you with their story, you have to do the right thing. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:00)** I really enjoy the opportunity to tell people’s stories and share information. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:06)** I have always had great leaders in the community and great mentors in the different career opportunities I have had, and they really helped me grow and continue expanding my career in some exciting and meaningful ways. **Host (6:24)** Are there any specific mentors from your college days that come to mind when you think about where you are in your career now? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:34)** It is funny because when I was in college, I did not always have a great experience with some of my professors. Some were so focused on true journalism, and because I was going into public relations, some of the J-school guys were just like, “You are in PR. You are not a serious journalist.” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (6:56)** But I had a great professor in ethics, and he was one of those people who treated students like they were adults. He trusted us. He gave us license to explore ideas and try different things. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (7:13)** When we were turning in assignments, he was really big on real-life examples and learning from real-life scenarios that he brought to us in the classroom. Having someone who was teaching ethics and expecting us to hold ourselves to an ethical standard early in our journalism careers was really important. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (7:39)** He did not push us to give these really obscure examples. He wanted us to take what we learned and what we knew, apply that, and then take what he was teaching and sharing with us to make sure that we kept ethics as the constant, whether we were working in straight-up journalism, newscasting, broadcast, print, or public relations. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:10)** Public relations gets a bad reputation because people think about it as spin. But there are ethical standards for people in public relations. I am a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and I am accredited in public relations, so there is an ethical standard and a code of conduct that people expect us to adhere to. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:33)** Having that grounding early in my educational life has really carried through everything that I do. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (8:39)** I also had parents who expected me to be accountable. When you have important people in your life who reinforce the things you have learned and heard your whole life, you realize there are things you want to hold on to. **Pursuing a Master’s Degree and Career Development** **Host (8:54)** Whenever you were experiencing your undergraduate education, was graduate education something that was in the forefront of your mind? Or when did that come into play? When did you think that you needed to take that next step into getting a master’s degree in organizational leadership? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:16)** In hindsight, I realized I was just in a hurry to get out there and start working, which now I think was really ridiculous. I should have enjoyed it more. I should not have been in a hurry to get into my career. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:31)** But my parents said, “You have four years, get it done.” So I did. And when I graduated, I wanted to get a job. I thought, “I have this degree in public relations, I have made these great contacts, I had a great internship, and I am going to go to the big city and get a great job.” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:50)** When I graduated, it was really challenging to find a job in public relations, and I think it was really challenging to find a job anywhere. So I moved home, which was fortunate. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (9:56)** Using all those newly minted skills, I used to tell people, “I have a degree in journalism and public relations and I am looking for a job. Do you know of anything, or know of anyone who could hire me?” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:13)** Within a couple of months that paid off, and I ended up getting my first big full-time job. Then that just kept happening. I have always been able to network and use my contacts to keep moving to the next thing. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:27)** I was ready to get into work and did not really have an idea that I wanted to get a master’s degree. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (10:37)** It was not until I had been working for quite a few years and had a great environment and great bosses that they said, “You have been working here for a couple of years now and we really want to see people that we think can move into the management track get a degree, start learning a little bit more, and get a master’s degree. How do you think you might want to do that? How can we help you with that?” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:00)** Because they were willing to support me while I was working full time—and this was before it was so easy to do everything online—I had certain ideas. I really did not want to have to take accounting that much. I did not really want to get into a lot of the business courses I did not especially enjoy in undergrad. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:25)** So I really looked for a program that was going to help me grow in certain aspects. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (11:32)** I felt like being able to learn more about human resource management and really learn about management, sort of like an MBA but without the accounting and statistics side, was what really sold me on that program. **Work with West Virginia Kids Count and Impact on Children** **Host (11:49)** I want to go back to something real quick. You started talking about the beginning of your career. In your bio, you mentioned you kind of credit the beginning as your role as the Director of Communication for West Virginia Kids Count Fund, where you produced the first four annual data books on the well-being of children and families, which continues to this day, from my understanding. I would like you to tell us a little bit about what those data books mean, how they came to life, and how does it make you feel knowing that it has this lasting impact? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:17)** I really felt like the work I was doing when I was at the Kids Count Fund was so important because I did not recognize it when I was a kid, but I certainly recognized it as an adult. As I worked in child advocacy, I realized not every child has a very positive experience growing up. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:42)** There are always children who are hungry, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are living with people—maybe they are in foster care or living with people who are struggling. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (12:54)** Being part of that opportunity in West Virginia, our mission was really to connect people in West Virginia to help change the trajectory of children’s lives in our state and improve it for the better. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:07)** My experience and skill set in telling people’s stories and explaining why it was important to help change the lives of children in West Virginia was really a great opportunity. It was a position where I was able to use a lot of my skills and strengths and learn more about connecting with people and building those long-term strategies. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:38)** That was a great thing about it. In the four years I was there, we did a lot to call attention. We worked to partner schools and businesses and different backgrounds to work on the common purpose of improving the lives of West Virginia’s children and families. **Transition from Corporate PR to Nonprofit Leadership** **Jennifer Reed Goddard (13:55)** It is really important because, sadly, I do not think a lot of things have changed in terms of the statistics in our state. But I have seen so many important programs and so many solutions that are really great solutions. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (14:19)** But because so many people want to be one and done, they think they can throw money at something one time and it is going to fix it. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (14:28)** To me, that is the exciting part about where I am now in philanthropy. I can work with funders, understand their goals and needs, and help build things that may actually change because I can help tell the story and remind people that you cannot just band-aid things. You really have to be a reliable partner in changing the opportunities for West Virginia’s children and families. **Host (14:59)** That is beautiful. You also just kind of answered my next question too. You worked in corporate communication for many years, even doing consulting for Fortune 500s, but ended up shifting back into the nonprofit world. You moved into being the chief program officer and eventually the CEO for the YWCA Charleston, and now you are the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. I am curious if you could expand on one benefit and one challenge to working in the corporate PR industry or the corporate industry versus working in the nonprofit industry. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (15:36)** Working in the corporate arena, you have a lot more resources and also, I think, less control when you are in a true corporate setting because I was in an organization, for example, that was operating across 17 states. There were people who often did not really understand what we were doing. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:03)** It was my job in corporate communications to explain a project that was highly technical and involved moving dirt and earth, replacing pipelines, and making sure people understood that it was really important that the work had to happen. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:17)** It was unfortunate that some people had built a structure crossing that right of way. It was my job to help them understand how important it was that the project coming through their community was going to help make sure it happened safely and support the infrastructure of the entire state in energy utilities. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (16:41)** It was great because we had a lot of resources, and it was also challenging because I was far enough down the food chain that I did not get to make the big decisions. I had to implement the strategies and support the goals in the work we were doing, kind of boots on the ground. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:00)** It was challenging, exciting, and really great being in that corporate environment. That is how I got my master’s degree, because I do not think I could have afforded that at the time or pursued it if I had been in the nonprofit arena. Because I was in a corporate environment, they gave me the support I needed to make that happen. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:22)** On the nonprofit side of things, you have your mission, your passion, and your energy to do the work, but it can be really challenging to find the resources. It is a constant struggle. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (17:32)** In today’s environment, with federal funding being cut, there are even more demands on all the funders in the world who are being asked to support nonprofits doing great work, but through no fault of their own, they find themselves having their budgets cut because they were heavily reliant on federal funding to do programming that is vitally important to people in their community. **About Philanthropy West Virginia and Its Mission** **Host (18:05)** Today, as we have talked about, you serve as the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. Tell us a little bit about the mission of Philanthropy West Virginia and your hope for the future of the organization with you at the helm. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (18:18)** I have been with Philanthropy West Virginia since the beginning of 2025, and it is an organization that has been around in our state for 31 years. The mission is to create a community of philanthropy, to build the network of people who are supporting all of the nonprofits in our state to improve the lives of families and those who live here. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (18:46)** Our funders run the gamut. We have community foundations, private foundations, United Ways, corporate foundations, and a large array of different organizations who are committed to making our state a better place for everyone. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:07)** Every organization has its own unique mission, or they operate within the codicil of their benefactor, the founder of their organization. So there are a lot of different voices and a lot of different facets to philanthropy in West Virginia. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:28)** Through the work that I do, it is my role to make sure they are getting information that affects philanthropy. For example, during some of the changes happening in 2025 with the federal budget cuts, I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of folks in the nonprofit world. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (19:50)** I sat in on so many conference calls over a couple of weeks trying to understand the scope and magnitude of what was happening to organizations doing great work, and then distill that information and share it with our members so they could understand what was happening. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (20:10)** During the government shutdown, when people were unsure where their next meal was going to come from, I had an opportunity to share with our network all of the work happening in real time and how they might consider changing the way they did things or expanding in some areas so they could move more quickly. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (20:39)** Philanthropy cannot fill all the gaps, but it certainly is important in every community. It is important to make sure philanthropy has the best chance to understand its role in the community and how it can fill in where necessary during times of crisis. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:00)** It is not just been during the federal issues. We have also had tremendous flooding in West Virginia. We have had a lot of challenges during this year. **The Role of Volunteers and Community Engagement** **Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:06)** We had big waves of flooding that happened across our state, and it has been really challenging to make sure philanthropy has been able to step up and guide the resources where they needed to be. **Host (21:29)** One thing that always inspires me whenever tragedy or natural disasters happen is when the nonprofit community really mobilizes. What kind of mobilization excites you when these things happen? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (21:47)** For me, it is really understanding how people know what their role is. When people are not worried about turf issues, they are really focused on getting results and getting things fixed in the right way. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:06)** That is what really excites me. I have seen a difference in my career: a lot of the really good-hearted people do not have the ego associated with their work. They are in it for the work and for the greater good, and they step up to help support people so they can get information more quickly and get connected more quickly. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:27)** That is the most important thing. I think we have a really strong network in our state of funders, nonprofits, government agencies, and regular people who are leaders by default. They are not elected officials, they are not paid to do certain jobs, but they are community leaders and people look to them in times of crisis and say, “How can we all help each other?” And people really make great things happen. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (22:58)** One of the most special things about West Virginia is that people have always stood together in times of crisis. They have always realized that sometimes no one is coming from the outside to help, and they just help each other. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (23:14)** Sometimes you will have people who really do not have a lot of resources, but they are still out there helping each other because that is the way people in West Virginia work. **Host (23:22)** What sort of advice would you give to someone who is wanting to get involved either with Philanthropy West Virginia or just nonprofit work, or getting more involved in their community similar to the way that you have over the years? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (23:34)** If you look backward to early in my career, even after I left the nonprofit sector, I had people in my career who supported me volunteering. That is something that in West Virginia for sure, and really all over the country, communities run on volunteers. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:00)** If you are a supervisor and you have a lot of staff, maybe you are at a point in your career like I am, helping mentor younger employees in your organization is a great development opportunity. Say, “Why do you not find a board that speaks to you, a mission that speaks to you, and join a board of directors? Spend that time helping others and building your own skills.” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:25)** When I was in my twenties, they asked me to be the treasurer after I had been on a board for two years. I said, “That is not really my thing.” But they said, “Oh, you can do it. We will help you.” **Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:39)** It built my skills. It built my confidence. It helped me in my career because I was able to do things in an environment where I was supported and wanted, and they did not really care that I did not have credentials. I think that is really important. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (24:57)** From where I sit, I have seen a shift. I do not think there are quite as many people who are serving as volunteers. They may do the one-and-done thing, like go volunteer for a day to pack food boxes, which is really important. Or they may run a race and raise money, or donate money, and we need all of those things. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:20)** But I do think we still need volunteers. The only way you can continue to have a community that is growing and prospering is if you have people who are willing to spend their time and volunteer in meaningful ways, and there is something for everyone. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:33)** In my career, I have been involved in a wide variety of different nonprofit boards because I love so many different opportunities. I love the ballet, so I was on the board for the ballet in our community. I am passionate about women’s health issues, so I was on the board of directors for the women’s health organization. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (25:59)** I was on our capital market board of directors, which is a nonprofit economic development organization for the farmers market and some indoor shopping. It is a fantastic place, and it created that third space for our community. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:11)** It is really important. And as someone who is on a nonprofit payroll, being able to have board members I can count on is vitally important. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:23)** We need those people with all the different skills. We need people who do not just have time or money, but people who are passionate and excited about the work. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:32)** I have seen through my work over the years, certainly at the YWCA and also with Philanthropy West Virginia in the last year, that people care about the organizations they volunteer in. We need to keep feeding that and making sure people support the organizations they are passionate about, or find the passion. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (26:53)** You might not know you are passionate, but you might have skills and you might have time. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:01)** When I was on the Habitat for Humanity Marketing Committee, I am not a builder, but I learned a lot about how you build a house, how you finance a house, and how you get volunteers involved in building a house from the ground up. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:13)** It was really exciting. People need to find that passion and find that way to help elevate everyone in their community through service and community activities. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (27:27)** It is just as much an education as formally going to school is an education. Learning from real-life experience and seeing the scaffolding that forms around nonprofits and philanthropy is that inspiring click for some people where they can say, “Oh, I am capable of doing this.” **Host (27:47)** Right, you are exactly right. And it also builds great networks. We are all connected, and when you run into someone you know, it is often because you end up showing up at the same events or they are on a committee now for an organization like Philanthropy West Virginia. **Host (28:02)** I did not know that at the time when I was interviewing for the job, but it has been nice to reconnect with people I knew early in my career who are volunteers for this organization. It really makes a difference. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:16)** Yes, it does. **Reflections on Success and Future Goals** **Host (28:22)** I do have one last question for you. As you look back at your career, as we have been talking about it today, how has your vision of success changed from your younger self who was helping your mom lobby for a school bus to now, when you are working to bring together nonprofits and organizations and leaders from all over your community? **Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:41)** That is a great question. I think the most important thing is to be known as someone with integrity, someone who is accountable for their own actions. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (28:55)** I would not have defined success when I was younger in that way, but when I have talked with people, and every career has its ups and downs and challenges, being able to have people say, “We knew we could count on you. We knew you were the kind of person we needed in this organization,” was really gratifying. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:16)** When you work hard and continue to focus on the work, that is what gets you the best results. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:29)** If you are in it for the glory and the money, that satisfaction might not ever come. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:36)** I have been really fortunate. I have been really passionate about my jobs over time. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:43)** I am really grateful for the opportunity to have work that I am passionate about and to have great satisfaction in the work I do. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (29:58)** At the end of the day, I can walk away and enjoy my life outside of work. They are not mutually exclusive. It has been exciting to find an opportunity where I can have a great career and a great life, and work with really smart and passionate people. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (30:21)** West Virginia, as I have said, is a really underrated, underappreciated place. A lot of folks would be pleasantly surprised if they came here. They might want to stay. **Host (30:35)** Jennifer Reed Goddard is the president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. Thank you so much for joining me on the Degrees of Success podcast. **Jennifer Reed Goddard (30:43)** Thanks for having me. I enjoyed it. ![Portrait of Jennifer Reed Goddard](https://uop.scene7.com/is/image/phoenixedu/jennifer-reed-goddard-low-res.webp?fmt=webp-alpha&qlt=70&fit=constrain,1&wid=413) “Take care of your community, take care of whatever it is that needs done, and don't wait for other people to step up.” ## About the Degrees of Success® Podcast The Degrees of Success podcast by University of Phoenix brings you inspiring stories of UOPX alumni who have transformed their careers through education. Each episode highlights personal journeys of overcoming obstacles, achieving professional milestones and using education to unlock new opportunities. Whether you’re looking for motivation, career advice or guidance on how education can propel you forward, these alumni stories offer invaluable insights to help you succeed. Watch[all episodes of Degrees of Success](https://www.youtube.com/@UOPXDegreesOfSuccessPodcast)on YouTube. ## Listen to the Degrees of Success® Podcast [View all episodes](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/alumni-chronicles/podcast.html)[Check out the Blog](/blog.html)