James V. Denova, Ph.D.
Graduate Celebration Guest Speaker
Doctor of Education Honorary Degree Recipient
Dr. James V. 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.
He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in social research and has more than 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 and 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, Dr. Denova 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.
His publications include working papers and journal articles on school-based health services, STEAM education, community colleges, 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.
Dr. Denova 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.
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Judee Ann Williams, B.S.
Baccalaureate Celebration Guest Speaker
Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree Recipient
Class of 2001
Judee Ann Williams, Class of 2001, is the co-head of CAA Social Impact at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency. CAA Social Impact is a strategic consulting team that sits at the intersection of CAA’s deeply experienced Brand Consulting and highly connected Foundation groups. Ms. Williams previously worked in the CAA Foundation for 15 years, serving as the department’s co-executive director. Founded in 1995, the CAA Foundation uses resources within the entertainment community to create positive social change and works on improving schools and education services to youth at the local, national, and international level.
Ms. Williams consults with clients, executives, and corporations on their philanthropic and pro-social initiatives. She works with clients who understand that a brand or business’ value is inextricably linked to their core set of values, and more importantly, the manner in which they articulate and execute on those values. She has worked with corporate brands such as KPMG, PGA Tour, Hickey Freeman, Rent the Runway, Delta Airlines, Cartier, and EverFi, among others.
Additionally, Ms. Williams is a prominent member of the philanthropic community, holding various appointments on boards and advisory councils, including the board of the Carrie Underwood C.A.T.S. Foundation, Katy Perry’s Firework Foundation, First Book, Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives, and the USO Entertainment Council.
Ms. Williams is also on the Board of Trustees of Save the Children and deeply involved in the group’s work in Rural America. She helped her client Jennifer Garner in relief efforts after the West Virginia floods in 2016. She has also worked closely with NFL superstar J.J. Watt since the start of his career and was involved with his relief work after Hurricane Harvey that distributed $42 million dollars back into the Houston community in what’s known as the largest crowdfunding campaign of all time.
A longtime supporter of the Armed Forces, Ms. Williams is actively involved with the USO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, as well as the St. Bernard Project, and is a member of the Got Your 6 Leadership Team. She has traveled on two Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
Ms. Williams was named to Variety’s 2019 Power of Women New York Impact List. In 2013, she was named to Glamour Magazine’s 35 under 35 “Women to Watch in Entertainment.”
Prior to joining CAA, Ms. Williams worked in the financial department of the TBWA\Chiat.
Ms. Williams received her B.S. in political science with a minor in business from Shepherd University. While at Shepherd, she, alongside Jill Lester, started the first women’s soccer team at the university.