DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits Inaugural Executive Director for the West Virginia First Foundation
March 18, 2024 – Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has recruited Jonathan Board as the inaugural executive director at the West Virginia First Foundation. This search was led by managing director, Julio Suárez, with the support of the DRiWaterstone team. “It’s a huge relief, not only that we have an executive director, but that we have Jonathan Board as an executive director,” said Matt Harvey, board chair. Mr. Harvey said the First Foundation personnel committee met with a number of candidates and were most impressed by his qualifications. “We all came away from those interviews knowing that Jonathan Board is the right person at the right time to lead us and take up the fight,” he said.
“I trust Jonathan,” Mr. Harvey said. “I trust his judgment. I know where his heart is. I know that’s to serve the citizens of West Virginia, and he brings all the skills necessary to put that together and lead us.”
Mr. Board is a seasoned executive with a background in external and governmental affairs, programmatic management, and substance use disorder policy. With expertise in financial oversight, fundraising, legislative acumen, and leadership, he has successfully navigated large-scale projects, secured substantial funding through various channels, and implemented impactful substance use disorder mitigation and recovery initiatives in Appalachia. He has a law degree and experience with healthcare systems, rural health challenges, and strategic development which further contribute to his ability to translate complex policy matters into actionable strategies. Mr. Board will be joining the West Virginia First Foundation from Mon Health System where he was vice president, external affairs.
In his new position, Mr. Board will play a pivotal role in establishing the foundation, developing its operational structure, overseeing its programs and initiatives, and spearheading partnership efforts.
“There’s some things that we can tackle immediately,” Mr. Board said. “I would like to come alongside and assist, whether it be a needs assessment or some other tool that we can put into the hands of experts and allow them to be experts and start solving real problems as fast as we can.”
“This is a vitally important day, but this day has very little to do with one individual or even a group of individuals,” Mr. Board said during a press conference with attorney general Patrick Morrisey at the State Capitol Building. “Today is about the people of the state of West Virginia. We have a lot of work to do.”
The West Virginia First Foundation strives to combat the drug addiction crisis in West Virginia. With the support of expected funding between $600-$700 million in settlements, and an opportunity to raise much more through the private sector, its primary goal is to attack the drug problem holistically, through education, prevention, treatment, and enhanced enforcement to help individuals, families and communities affected by this devastating drug epidemic.
Proven Search Consultants
Created through a recent merger between DRi and Waterstone Human Capital, DRiWaterstone Human Capital is a culture-centric executive search, leadership advisory, and human capital firm focused on helping mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. build high performance teams and cultures.
The firm offers executive search services focused on helping clients achieve sustainable organizational and cultural growth by finding leaders who align to the organization’s purpose, and who can help take the organization and its culture to the next level. DRiWaterstone Human Capital also offers a full portfolio of cultural talent management and leadership advisory services (including culture assessment, culture measurement, and culture curation) – to help organizations put culture at the center of strategy and drive success.
“We can offer clients expertise in non-profit and social enterprise executive recruiting, and more than 20 years of experience in building high performance teams and cultures,” said Jennifer Dunlap, president and CEO of DRiWaterstone. “That expertise allows DRiWaterstone to serve mission and purpose-driven organizations in both the non-profit and private sectors with a broad portfolio of services designed to inspire leaders to build high performance teams and cultures.”
Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Seeking Major Gifts Officer for American Humane
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
