Jim Denova

Advisor, Education & Workforce Programs

Jim Denova is an independent contractor working in the areas of education and economic development. He is currently advising Green Building Alliance on its Education & Workforce Development Initiative.

Jim has had over 30 years of experience in philanthropy, including such roles as the Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Executive Director of the Forbes Fund, and Senior Program Officer with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

Prior nonprofit employment spanned a range of positions: Director of Research and Planning for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Research Director for the Community College of Beaver County, Program Director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Social Service Supervisor for John J. Kane Hospital, and Senior Therapist with Jefferson County Comprehensive Mental Health Center.

Over the years, he has served on the boards of Philanthropy West Virginia, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, the Women’s Center and Shelter, Film Pittsburgh, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library, the Remake Learning Council, the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics, Manchester Bidwell Corporation, the McCune Foundation, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Publications include working papers and journal articles on school-based health services, STEAM education, the community college system, and nonprofit management. He is frequently asked to speak before public officials and policy makers on workforce development, teacher quality, arts education, and school leadership. He also guest lectures at several area universities.

Jim has received awards from the Children’s Defense Fund, Marshall University’s Harless Center for Rural Education Research and Development, the Mon Valley Initiative, Philanthropy West Virginia, Southwest Pennsylvania Partnership on Aging, and the National Association of Educational Service Agencies. He also received honorary doctorate degrees from Shepherd University and West Liberty University.

Jim holds a Ph.D. in social research from the University of Pittsburgh.