Jennifer Giovannitti

Jennifer Giovannitti is the new president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, succeeding William P. “Pat” Getty. She was named the first women president in August 2018 and officially has been at the helm of the foundation since mid-October 2018. Prior to her current role, Giovannitti was the regional community development manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, whose mission it is to support economic stability and mobility for low-and moderate-income communities. She was the team’s specialist in workforce development, community finance and issues facing rural communities. Her position had a regional focus, working with national experts and community-oriented investors, as well as other Reserve Banks on policy and data-oriented projects.

Before joining the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Giovannitti lived and worked in West Virginia for more than a decade, serving as the project manager for the redevelopment of the Elkins Railyard, then as both the executive director for the Randolph County Development Authority and the director of the West Virginia Wood Technology Center. During her tenure, she was elected to the West Virginia Economic Development Council and as President of the seven-county Hardwood Alliance Zone. Giovannitti is a 2005 graduate of Leadership West Virginia and was a 2001 Young Guns Awardee. Young Guns are people under the age of 40 who are chosen for their professional accomplishments, commitment to community, and dedication to making a positive contribution to the state of West Virginia. Before working in West Virginia, Giovannitti was a planning consultant at two Pittsburgh-based engineering firms: Hubert, Roland and Grubic and Mackin Engineering Company. 

Currently, she serves on the Steering Committee of the Appalachian Funders Network, a collaborative of over 80 local and regional granting organizations; Chairs the Workforce Prep Action Team of the Richmond, Virginia Capital Regional Collaborative; Chairs the Early Childhood Finance Compensation Work Group for the State of Virginia; and is an appointed Planning Commissioner for Powhatan County, Virginia. Giovannitti has a passion for Appalachia’s authenticity, strong family connections and resiliency. She recognizes her work in West Virginia as some of the proudest and most fulfilling contributions to community development throughout her career.