Learn More About The Academy of Faith and Generosity

Our Staff

Jeff
President

Jeff Taylor

Jeff received his undergraduate (B.S.’83) and law degrees (J.D.  ’86) from West Virginia University. He received his seminary education from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, where he serves on the Board of Trustees.

Jeff serves as Membership Chair of Charitable Gift Planners of West Virginia, a consortium of charitable organizations that focuses on strengthening communities through bequests and other planned gifts. He is a member of the West Virginia State Bar.

Jeff is a past president of the National Association of United Methodist Foundations, past president of the Cabell County Bar Association, and past president of the KYOWVA Planned Giving Council. 

Jeff is an ordained deacon in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

Kimberly
Vice President

Kimberly Matthews

Kim graduated with honors from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science and her Master’s of Science degrees in biology. Prior to joining the staff of the Foundation in 2008 as Associate Director, she served for 19 years as Research Associate with Marshall University School of Medicine and its affiliates, co-authoring several peer-reviewed journal articles.

Kim is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and is Vice President of Charitable Gift Planners of West Virginia.  She has a Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Indiana University Lily Family School of Philanthropy. 

Kim is a Certified Lay Minister who is active as a volunteer in her Church, District and in the Annual Conference. She serves as the Annual Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.

Susannah
Chief Financial Officer

Susannah Carpenter

Prior to joining the staff in 2017, Susannah spent 14 years working in various positions for the West Virginia Department of Administration, including Chief Financial Officer, Assistant to the Comptroller, and Interim Chief Technology Officer.

A certified public accountant, Susannah's previous experience also includes working as a research manager for the State Legislative Auditor's office, and as a senior accountant for a private auditing and consulting firm. She graduated with honors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia with a bachelor's degree in accounting.  

Susannah is a life-long United Methodist who is an active member of Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston.

Allie
Communications Specialist

Allie Sears

Allie graduated from Concord University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science. During her time at Concord, she was an active member of the Student Government Association. She also served as a Herndon Fellow with the West Virginia State Senate during the 2020 Legislative session.
 
Prior to joining the staff in 2022, Allie worked as a service coordinator at a nonprofit providing rental and utility assistance to low income individuals and families. 
 
Allie grew up in parsonages across the West Virginia Annual Conference and considers the conference her home. She is currently an active member of First United Methodist Church in Huntington.

 

Rebecca
Accounting and Communications Assistant

Rebecca Parkins

Prior to joining the staff in 2019, Becky worked in the areas of legal assistance, tax preparation, accounting, and debt management.  She was a church secretary and bookkeeper in the Potomac Highlands district prior to moving to Charleston.  Most recently, she was an executive assistant to a state senator and a legal hearing recorder.

Becky is an active member of Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston.

Does it sound like we can help?

Contact us to start