Angela Bailey, A Female Leader
March 25, 2024 -Angela Bailey is a female leader that greatly values breaking glass ceilings and encouraging and empowering others to do the same.
“It makes me incredibly proud to celebrate the accomplishments of all women because I realize that we are so much stronger when we stand side-by-side to support one another,” says Angela Bailey, Executive Director of the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities.
At 40 years old, after being in the workforce without a degree for several years, Angela knew it was time to pursue her passions further by obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and eventually going on in her 40’s to pursue a master’s degree.
“Not only was my career made possible because of wonderful women who served as my mentors, I was able to go back to school at 40 and pursue a degree because of them as well,” says Angela. “I endeavor every day to mentor, and support others because I realize that without that type of support and empowerment, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Bailey continued.
One of Angela’s favorite parts of working for ARH is the focus of helping others to grow professionally and personally.
“It truly does take a village and I am so proud to be at ARH where a culture of helping one another to succeed already exists,” said Bailey.
Angela is a proud alumnus of Eastern Kentucky University (BA) and Indiana Wesleyan University (MA) bringing over 20 years of fundraising and non-profit leadership experience to the Foundation. Though her focus is on the Foundation, another one of Bailey’s favorite parts of ARH, is the commitment to workforce development and helping others pursue career paths that allow them to serve their communities. Over the last 18 months, ARH has awarded more than $1.6m in scholarships and stipends to healthcare students throughout Central Appalachia; helping to make the educational dreams of over 120 of our students and employees possible. This is just one of the many ways that ARH is supporting and investing in the future of our communities.
“That same mindset applies to all people regardless of gender actually, we really are stronger together,” continues Bailey. “I am so appreciative of how ARH values the unique skills and backgrounds of employees and focuses on growing leaders from within, with programs like the Leadership Academy” she added.
As Executive Director of the Foundation, Bailey is responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising and community support strategy and providing leadership for the Volunteer and Grants programs at ARH. In her comprehensive role, she helps grow the Foundation’s donor community and cultivate positive relationships with existing and potential donors.
“I want to help others whether that’s realizing their dreams to make a difference in their community or helping another person make a positive change in their life and health,” said Angela. “All of these things are part of our work to invest in Appalachia, after all, fundraising is about helping people discover how they want to change the world, and then helping them achieve it,” she continued with a smile.
Most recently, she launched the Living Well with Angela Bailey blog, which is focused on her year-long journey to healthy living featuring ARH providers. You can learn more and read the blog here.
“Living Well is one way that I hope to inspire others to take a chance on themselves be it professionally, personally, or any other way,” said Bailey.