Jim Denova is Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and has primary responsibility for the Foundation’s Education agenda in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania.  In addition, he directs several economic development projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Jim holds a Ph. D. from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in social research, and has over 35 years of experience in nonprofit administration and philanthropy.  Prior positions include: Program Director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Research Director for the Community College of Beaver County, Vice President of Research & Planning for the United Way of Allegheny County, Senior Program Officer for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and Executive Director of The Forbes Fund.  

Over the years, he has served on the boards of Philanthropy West Virginia, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, the Women’s Center and Shelter, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library, the Remake Learning Council, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics. 

Publications include working papers and journal articles on school-based health services, adult and STEM education, workforce development, and nonprofit management.  He is frequently asked to speak before Pennsylvania public officials and the West Virginia Board of Education on career education, teacher quality, and school leadership.  He also guest lectures at several area universities.

Jim has received awards from the Children’s Defense Fund, the 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.