[ community ]
Kim Barber Tieman
ARIANNA WHITEHAIR
Dedicated to advocating for the health and wellness of the community that raised her , Kim Barber Tieman , vice president and program director of health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation , believes life ’ s greatest journeys begin and end at home .
“ Starting my career as a social worker , I initially worked more in the mental health and social determinants of health arenas of people ’ s lives ,” says Tieman . “ Over time , the negative statistics that were used to describe West Virginia revolved around health , so my focus shifted . I wanted to work more upstream on prevention efforts to improve the health of our population so our citizens could lead healthier and more productive lives .”
Photo by Kim Tieman .
Photo by Kim Tieman .
Committed to promoting the economic well-being of all West Virginians , the Benedum Foundation provides leadership development opportunities , community engagement activities , educational opportunities , scholarships and more .
Tieman ’ s work at the foundation consists of talking through suggested community project ideas .
“ We talk through those ideas to see if there is a match with the foundation ’ s priorities and if we can potentially partner on a new effort or program ,” she says .
One of Tieman ’ s favorite parts about working with the foundation is that it prioritizes itself as an actively engaged , hands-on organization .
“ We do not give funding and then wait for good things to happen ; we roll up our sleeves and help ,” says Tieman . “ We become actively engaged in the efforts we support . Even when we have to say ‘ no ’ to funding a potential project , we try to give some options to the applicant to further their cause .”
With an enduring love and sense of responsibility for West Virginia ’ s youngest citizens , Tieman ’ s most cherished projects are those that involve children .
“ My favorite projects revolve around preventing childhood obesity by working with the youngest West Virginia children in child care centers ,” she says . “ I ’ ve enjoyed helping the children develop healthy habits by building gardens at their child care center and bringing farmers to them for pop-up markets , all to get them to eat fruits and vegetables . Creating the first central kitchen for child care centers to ensure they have access to scratch-cooked , local produce meets the same mission .”
Photo by John Sibold .
Tieman also has a passion for disaster response efforts .
“ Growing up in West Virginia and watching the devastation that flooding and natural disasters have had on our people , property , communities and businesses , I have been engaged in that work as a volunteer since 1985 ,” she says . “ I am currently the chair of the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster ( WV VOAD ) and have been helping with the recovery efforts since the devastating flood in 2016 . Part of WV VOAD ’ s mission is to collaborate with each person , family and community impacted by a disaster and help them access the resources they need to again have a home , a job and peace of mind to rebuild their life .”
Aside from mentoring young nonprofit leaders , Tieman volunteers with the WorkForce West Virginia board , Appalachian Funders Network Health Group and West Virginia Oral Health Coalition ; acts as the community engagements co-chair for the Governor ’ s Council on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment ; and serves as co-chair for the West Virginia Early Childhood Advisory Council Health Committee . She also serves the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation as chair of the scholarship committee .
With unceasing tenacity and Appalachian pride , Tieman continues to extend a helping hand to those who need it most .
“ Deeply caring for others and giving to those less fortunate than me is my personal mission . I strive to never be complacent or happy with the status quo .” •
24
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE