Joanna Ganning
Board Chair
Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Economic Development, Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
After spending the summer of 1998 at Spruce Knob, Joanna returned to her hometown of Keyser with a desire to be part of a better future for Appalachia. To that end, she earned a BS in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State. Through various internships, including one as mentor to the 2000 Scholars Academy, she found her niche in economic development strategy and analysis. Joanna earned a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech and a PhD in Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Joanna serves on the boards of Shaker Heights Development Corporation, VibrantNEO (a committee of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency), and is a community member of the Shaker Heights City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
Dr. Frederick Gottlieb, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine
Fred is a West Virginia native and has been involved with Experience Learning from its early days as Woodlands/ Mountain Institute. He has also been involved in issues of international health and community development for over 40 years. Dr. Gottlieb graduated from WVU Medical School and was trained in Internal Medicine at University of Calif- Davis. He has a Master’s Degrees in Public Health as well as International Affairs. He has worked on assessment of rural health care delivery models and refugee evaluations in Asia, Africa, and South America. He served as Regional Medical Officer for the US Peace Corps in Southern Africa and worked in the tsunami recovery in Indonesia. He has received the US Public Health Service Physician of the Year Award. He currently practices and teaches Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at the University of Utah.
Mark Swiger
Strategic Program Director, Pangaea Strategies
A native of Elkins and a resident of Wheeling, Mark Swiger is an education leader, sustainability consultant, and community advocate with over 35 years of experience in bridging formal and experiential learning. As the Founder of Pangaea Strategies, he established a consulting firm committed to integrating sustainability, education, and regenerative community development through innovative programming. A Board Member of Experience Learning, Mark specializes in developing hands-on educational experiences that link communities, sustainability, and leadership development. With a background as a collegiate Hall of Fame coach, sustainability expert, and educator, Mark has led transformative initiatives at local, state, and national levels. His work has secured millions in funding for literacy and sustainability programs while advancing regenerative community design and green building practices. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors for West Virginia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the Program Committee for the West Virginia Humanities Council, further cementing his commitment to fostering resilient communities through education and service. Passionate about empowering individuals and organizations, he continues to advocate for innovative, experiential learning that prepares future generations to lead in a rapidly changing world.
J. King B. E. Seegar III, MD, Founding Trustee, Board Member Emeritus
Medical Director, Pendleton Community Care Clinics (PCC), Franklin WV
King Seegar has spent 31 years as a pediatrician at PCC, a non-profit clinic started and spun off by Woodlands in 1983, carrying on our legacy of community learning and service. Coming full circle, he is returning to work on our board in support of Experience Learning.
Jennifer Taylor-Ide – Board Member Emerita
Behavioral Health Counselor, PCC School-based Health Clinics, Franklin WV
Jennifer Taylor-Ide originally developed many of Woodlands/TMI’s beyond-the-classroom programs and philosophies, headed up our professional development projects, and worked for many years with our school programs.
