Tosha is the President of Huntington Children’s Museum. She is a former middle school teacher, has experience fundraising and organizing community events, and mom to Leela (6) and Landon (8). Tosha believes that play and community are essential to childhood development. She is so excited to work with other volunteers to bridge the two by bringing a children’s museum to Huntington. This shared community space will allow local families to reconnect and learn through play.

Tosha.pelfrey@hcmkids.org

Andrea is the Vice President of Huntington Children’s Museum. She’s an OB/GYN physician with Valley Health. She lives in Barboursville with her husband,  Jamie, and children, Cam and Juliana. She has lived in this community for over 20 years and has raised her children here.  She believes that this community is an amazing place to live and raise children, but she thinks there is certainly a need for a children’s museum to enhance their creativity and education.

Sherri is a Charleston, WV native, now calling Huntington, WV home after graduating from Marshall University. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Kelly, and their two dogs, Val and Walter. Sherri has been involved with numerous community organizations over the years such as East Huntington Kiwanis Club, Huntington City Mission, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance through the Financial Stability Partnership of the River Cities), Rails & Ales Festival, Children’s Place & Huntington Junior League. She enjoys volunteering with the Huntington Children’s Museum because she is thrilled to have the opportunity to take part in something that is going to transform our town and the lives of our children for years to come. As an aunt, she looks forward to taking her nephew to a museum in right in their “backyard” to boost his creativity and enrich his mind.

Vishal is the Treasurer of Huntington Children’s Museum. Additionally, he’s an assistant professor at Marshall Eye Surgeons, has experience in financial management, business planning/development, and fundraising, and father to 2 young children. Vishal is volunteering with HCM because he is passionate about creating more positive experiences for local youth. Investing in our children locally provides huge long-term dividends for the Huntington area community.

Vishal.Verma@hcmkids.org

Stephanie is Chief Human Resources Officer at OVP Health, a prominent healthcare organization that is committed to providing quality medical care and improving health outcomes for individuals and families in the community. A native of Huntington, Stephanie is deeply invested in the community and strives to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in the region. Stephanie is a graduate of Marshall University, where she earned a master’s degree in human resources. She is involved with United Way of the River Cities volunteer council and sits on other company boards within Huntington. Through her leadership position at OVP Health and her involvement in the community, Stephanie is committed to creating opportunities for children to thrive and succeed. She believes that having places such as the Huntington Children’s Museum will positively impact children and their families and provide a safe space to learn and create. She is married with a young daughter and enjoys volunteering for the Huntington Children’s museum with her daughter right beside her!

RaShad is a graduate of Huntington High School and Marshall University. He is the Executive Director for the Fairfield Community Development Corporation, and he also serves as president of the Marshall University Black Alumni Association. RaShad is an accomplished musician who plays 8 different instruments, loves to listen to vintage vinyl records and dj in his spare time. RaShad decided to volunteer for this project because it will present opportunities for creativity, while also providing new experiences for his children and other families of the Huntington community.

Amy Staples is the Director for the WV Autism Training Centers Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center at Marshall University. She received her Master of Arts in Preschool Special Needs from Marshall University. She worked in the private and public educational and administrative setting for 13 years prior to her employment with the center in 2015. She leads the center’s technical assistance efforts including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Mental Health First Aid, national, and statewide collaborations.

Brandie is an educator by trade with additional experience in the non-profit world. Brandie is excited to take her teaching experience and the lessons she’s learned from her non-profit work and apply them to assist in developing young minds into the individuals they will become. Along with her experience and expertise, her passion for education and training drives her desire to help educational organizations and systems be the best they can be. Brandie has a passion for people and community, with a soft spot for serving the needs of women and children.

Chris is a multi-generational West Virginian who grew up in Huntington and attended Marshall University. Chris continues to reside in Huntington with his wife, Sarah, and 3 young daughters Summer, Heidi and Erin. Supporting the community in which his children will be growing up in has become a passion. He sits on multiple boards in Huntington and has built a career with Huntington National Bank currently serving as Bank Manager in Barboursville. With the belief that children are our future, Chris’s ultimate goal is to leave Huntington better than it was left to him.

Stacy is an early childhood educator who has earned her BA and MA in the field from Marshall University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in education and is excited to use her knowledge of quality childhood experiences and research to help support the museum’s mission to offer enriching experiences to children in the area. When she isn’t studying or in a preschool classroom, she enjoys taking walks around the Southside with her fiancé and dog Royal, tackling home DIY renovations, and being outdoors.

Emma is a Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She graduated from Marshall University earning a master’s degree in Biological Sciences. She is married and has two children. She is passionate about helping kids learn through play and providing unique opportunities for children to explore their interests. She loves volunteering with the Huntington Children’s Museum and is excited for the opportunity to help create a safe space for kids to explore, learn, and play.

Samantha is a seasoned educator and literacy specialist with more than ten years of experience advancing early literacy through partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations. Deeply committed to community engagement, she supports initiatives like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of West Virginia, Read Aloud West Virginia, and Little Free Library. Driven by a passion for nurturing curiosity and creativity in children, Samantha actively supports the Huntington Children’s Museum, where she helps support engaging educational programs that provide families and children with meaningful, interactive learning opportunities.

Sandra retired after 30 years from Alcon Research Ltd as their Sr. Regulatory Compliance Manager. Originally from Elizabethton, TN and a graduate of East TN State University with both BS and MS degrees. For the past 41 years, she has made her home in Kenova with her husband, Bill. Together they have one daughter, Katy who is a pharmacist and a granddaughter, Carlie, a first grader at VOBE. Over the years, the family has always visited museums, with their daughter and now granddaughter, so it was a dream come true to have a local children’s museum. Sandra loves to volunteer at the museum so she can watch the excitement in the children’s faces as they learn and discover new things. She also feels that volunteering gives her a means to give back to the community.

Kyle is an assistant professor of graphic design at Marshall University’s School of Art & Design and a practicing designer with more than a decade of experience in the field. Kyle earned his master’s degree in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art & Design and his bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Marshall University. Born and raised in Huntington, Kyle and his wife Kayla are parents to two young daughters, Daisy and Lucy. He believes that the Huntington Children’s Museum is a catalyst for creating lasting positive change in the community and its future generations.

Autumn is a native West Virginian and first-generation college graduate with a deep commitment to community-centered education and outreach. As an Assistant Professor at Marshall University, she designs and leads experiential curriculum in agriculture and natural resources, with a focus on hands-on learning and accessibility. Autumn’s work includes launching a Specialty Agriculture major, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students to support both academic and personal development, and securing grants for innovative, community-focused initiatives that bridge workforce development and educational gaps. She has a proven track record in fostering partnerships with local organizations, including other academic institutions and businesses, to provide unique learning opportunities for diverse populations. In her free time, she enjoys watching anime with her husband, gaming with her three children, gardening, and volunteering with her local 4-H club.