THE NON-STOP MOUNTAINEER
Elizabeth Vitullo
Assistant Vice President of Economic Innovation at West Virginia University and Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives at WVU’s Chambers College of Business and Economics
SUPERPOWER: OPTIMISM
A native of Toronto, Canada, Liz Vitullo followed love to West Virginia in the early 2000s, then fell in love with the state itself. “I still wave my Canadian flag at our historic house in South Park, but I definitely identify as a West Virginian,” says Vitullo.
In her roles at West Virginia University, Vitullo is deeply involved in state initiatives. She serves as assistant vice president of economic innovation at WVU as well as assistant dean for strategic initiatives at WVU’s Chambers College of Business and Economics. “It’s amazing how those two things go hand in hand,” she says. “It’s great to work for WVU, where prosperity is one of our pillars, and that’s where my job really sits: How do we support economics and prosperity in the state?”
In service of that mission, Vitullo co-leads the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers, in which WVU partners with Marshall University to secure funding for nonprofits and other entities. Another initiative Vitullo is proud of is Ascend WV, the remote worker and retention program funded through a generous gift from Brad and Alys Smith’s Wing 2 Wing foundation.
Beyond her career, Vitullo makes time to work with organizations toward goals for which she has a passion. She sits on the board of the nonprofit Pantry Plus More, which operates free school pantries, food giveaways, and health and wellness programs across Monongalia County. She is also involved with Libera WV, a sisterhood of caring mentors helping women and teens of West Virginia feel seen, love themselves, and flourish.
Written by Julie Perine
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Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.
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