Staff

With a small but highly skilled staff, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio enjoys a reputation as an excellent manager of its donor funds and a leader in promoting regional and community grant-making initiatives.

In 1998, the Foundation received the Fuerst Outstanding Community Leader Award from the Hills of Ohio Chapter of National Society of Fundraising Executives. In 2007, FAO received the Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communication for its I'm a Child of Appalachia® campaign supporting access to post-secondary education in Southeast Ohio.

Cara Dingus Brook, CEO/President

Cara Dingus Brook serves as the CEO and President for the Foundation. Prior to this position, she was a district representative for United States Senator George V. Voinovich.  As Senator Voinovich’s representative in southeast Ohio, Cara worked closely with elected officials, community leaders and Senator Voinovich’s Washington team to enhance quality of life in Appalachian Ohio. Cara managed Senator Voinovich’s Southeast Ohio Office, which serves a 17-county region extending from Lawrence County in the south to Tuscarawas County in the northeast. 

Prior to joining Senator Voinovich’s team, Cara led Appalachian Ohio Giving, a consortium of community foundations and OSU Extension serving Appalachian Ohio with a mission of promoting philanthropy as a community and economic development tool. Cara is a graduate of Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College, where she received a bachelor's degree in English.  She also holds a master's degree in public administration from Ohio University.  She is a graduate of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute. In 2003, Cara was appointed by Governor Bob Taft to serve as a commissioner to the Ohio Community Service Council. A native of Lawrence County, Cara resides in Logan, Ohio.

 

Holly Duell,  Director of Outreach and Donor Services
                                                                                                                                           

Holly Duell serves as Director of Outreach and Development for the Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a focus on criminology and a minor in social services from Ohio University. Prior to joining the Foundation, Holly served as Southeast Ohio Projects Coordinator and Staff Assistant for United States Senator George V. Voinovich in his Nelsonville office.

 

Tracy Mann, Outreach and Donor Services Assistant

Tracy Mann joined the Foundation to serve as the Outreach and Donor Services Assistant for the Foundation.  She obtained her bachelor's degree in elementary education at the Southern Ohio University Campus.  Tracy's work experiences include grants writing and coordination, community service coordination, and teaching.  Originally from Lawrence County, Tracy now resides in Logan, Ohio.

 

 

Phyllis Moody, Foundation Services and Scholarship Program Coordinator

Phyllis serves as the Foundation Services and Scholarship Program Coordinator for the Foundation, managing the scholarship program and Child of Appalachia® essay contest. Phyllis is a Certified Professional Secretary, Certified Administrative Professional and is a current member and past President of the Athens Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals. Phyllis has more than 20 years experience in managing administrative and financial services for a variety of organizations.

 

 

Megan Wanczyk, ICAN! Partnership Coordinator

Megan Wanczyk holds a master's degree in public administration from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in French from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Prior to her work with the Foundation, Megan was the Public Relations Coordinator for Broadway Across America - Boston.