A New Era of Impact: Tony & Jessica Huffman
Before they ever met, Tony and Jessica Huffman were living parallel lives—just a river apart.
On one side of the river, Jessica grew up in the close-knit town of Williamstown, West Virginia, shaped by neighbors and mentors whose quiet strength would guide her for years to come. Across the water, in a rural stretch just outside Marietta, Ohio, Tony was raised with a similar foundation—where hard work was expected, and helping others was just what you did.
Those values shaped who they became. Today, the Huffmans are raising six children, leading in their professions, and giving back in ways that are helping define a new era of impact in Washington County.
Jessica built her career in healthcare with a deep commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate leadership. As Assistant Vice President of System Nursing Services for WVU Medicine, she now oversees patient care strategies across multiple states—shaping how thousands of patients experience care and how hundreds of nurses grow in their roles.
L-R: Jarrett Stull, Marietta Memorial Health Foundation, Jessica Huffman, Mikayla Mugrage, Tony Huffman, & Heather Allender, Marietta Community Foundation.
Tony’s path was rooted in education and a belief in the potential of every student. Over the years, he moved into leadership roles—first as a principal, and now as Superintendent of the Washington County Career Center. In that role, he’s helped expand access to career and technical education, ensuring students graduate with not just diplomas, but direction and opportunity.
But their influence extends well beyond their careers. Tony has long been involved in the Marietta Noon Rotary Club, where he’s served as president, grant coordinator, and a member of the scholarship committee. He also volunteers with the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, collaborating with partners to attract investment, remove barriers, and create new opportunities for growth. \
Jessica’s community work took shape in a different, but equally meaningful way. In 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, she learned about 100 Women Who Care, a giving circle gaining momentum in other cities. Inspired, she invited a group of friends to dinner at a local restaurant to share the concept. What started as a simple pitch turned into a shared mission. “Most of the women are mothers, and for them, this is like a girls’ night out—but one where they can also give back in a meaningful way,” she said. “It creates a space where women connect, support each other, and make a real impact.” Since launching, the group has raised and granted nearly $80,000 to local nonprofits—proof of how powerful collective generosity can be.
Then, in early 2024, the Huffman’s lives took an unexpected turn. Jessica was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It was humbling,” she said. “I’ve always been the one giving care. Suddenly, I had to learn how to receive it.” Tony reflected on that time: “The diagnosis was hard. But watching Jessica face this battle with such courage showed me a whole new kind of strength.”
The community responded in kind. Meals were delivered. Prayers were sent. One moment stood out to Jessica—the day she bought a wig. “It was the same color as my hair before the diagnosis. The moment I put it on, I felt like myself again,” she said. “It reminded me who I was before cancer—who I still am beneath everything. That small act helped me hold on to a part of myself when so much felt like it was slipping away.”
That experience sparked a new chapter of giving. In May 2025, Tony and Jessica created the Jessica Huffman Women’s Cancer Fund at Marietta Community Foundation. The fund focuses on the unseen costs of cancer—wigs, lash serums, cooling caps, nutritious meals, massage therapy. “These aren’t luxuries,” Jessica said. “They’re tools for dignity. When everything feels like it’s being taken from you, these small acts of kindness help you hold on to who you are.”
Just recently, in June 2025, the fund provided a wig for Mikayla Mugrage, who is currently battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Jessica spoke about the experience with deep emotion.
