HINTON, W.Va. — The Hinton Area Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheila Pillath as its new Executive Director.
Pillath brings decades of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, and community engagement experience to the Foundation. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside nonprofits, donors, businesses, and community leaders to strengthen organizations and create lasting impact.
A native of Summers County and a graduate of Hinton High School, Pillath is returning to the region where her family has deep roots. With decades of experience leading nonprofit organizations and advancing philanthropic initiatives, she will guide the Foundation as it continues connecting generous donors with opportunities that strengthen Summers County and support the causes that matter most to the community.
“The mountains have always felt like home and being closer to my family is a blessing. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my hometown community through the Hinton Area Foundation,” said Pillath. “I believe philanthropy has the power to bring people together, inspire hope, and create opportunities that benefit generations to come. I look forward to working with our Board of Directors, donors, nonprofit partners, and community members to build on the great work already taking place throughout Summers County and strengthen the Foundation’s strong legacy.”
Before joining the Hinton Area Foundation, Pillath held executive leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, including serving as Vice President of Development at Community Foundation & United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties and Executive Director of the Mathews Family YMCA, where she focused on donor engagement, foundation development, and organizational growth.
The Hinton Area Foundation has served Summers County for decades by connecting charitable giving with community needs. Through endowments, grants, scholarships, and partnerships, the Foundation supports initiatives that enhance education, health, human services, the arts, public recreation, beautification, and other charitable projects—projects which benefit the adults, youth, and children who live, work and visit Hinton and Summers County.
