Liz Vitullo

Photo by Gretchen Hurd

By Dawn Nolan

Liz Vitullo, assistant vice president (AVP) for economic innovation in the Office of the President and assistant dean for strategic initiatives at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University (WVU), wouldn’t be who she is today without the love and values instilled in her by the Italian grandparents who raised her.

“I think I learned some of the most important lessons from my Nonna and Nonno, immigrants who built a life for us through hard work and resourcefulness,” describes Vitullo.

“Their priority was their family.”

As a wife and mother of three, Vitullo also prioritizes family.

“They are who I want to make the proudest,” she says.

Growing up in Toronto, Canada, Vitullo wasn’t aware of the many career paths she could pursue. What she did know, however, was that she wanted to make a living doing something she enjoyed.

“I had no idea what professions existed outside of being a teacher, doctor or lawyer,” she says. “My mom was a professional bartender, and my dad worked for the postal service. Everyone around me worked extremely hard, but I never got the sense that they chose or enjoyed their jobs.”

Throughout her two decades of employment at WVU, she has found both passion and purpose.

“I have a dual role at West Virginia University,” she explains. “In my AVP role, I help with large-scale and economic development initiatives that support the land-grant mission of the university. In my assistant dean role, I help support strategic initiatives and help stand up new efforts. I look for opportunities to involve others in what I do. As we launch new initiatives, it is so fulfilling to pass them on to capable leaders who are going to continue to improve it.”

Furthering her involvement in the Chambers College, Vitullo serves as coordinator for the health care MBA and as a member of the WVU Organizational Leadership advisory council. She is also the academic coordinator for the Chambers Elite Climbers program, helping provide WVU football student-athletes with personal skills and professional development opportunities.

“This program is in its second year, and I am proud of the guys have participated and how it’s evolved,” she says.

Handling multiple responsibilities is not new to her—she often held two or more jobs while earning her degrees at the University of Toronto and WVU.

“I learned to push myself out of my comfort zone. I always volunteered for extra shifts and assignments outside of my job description,” she explains.

Vitullo credits her experience bartending for helping her develop necessary communication and relationship skills.

“The people skills I learned in that job have carried forward well into my professional life,” she says.

Vitullo’s two greatest professional achievements are contributing to the building and success of Ascend West Virginia and co-founding the West Virginia Grants Resource Center.

“Population loss and workforce are two of the biggest challenges facing the state,” she says. “Through Ascend and some of the other new initiatives focused on bringing specialized populations in the state, we are working on addressing these issues. The West Virginia Grants Resource Center is a collaborative initiative with Marshall University, co-founded by Sara Payne. Our goal is to help bring in dollars from federal and private foundations to fund initiatives that support economic prosperity for the state.”

Vitullo is also active in her community as she appreciates how fortunate she has been. She currently serves as a board member of Pantry Plus More, an organization she joined after learning about the prevalence of food insecurity, and Libera WV, a nonprofit that focuses on addressing barriers in the lives of women and teens.

Moving to West Virginia is the most adventurous yet rewarding thing Vitullo has ever done.

“I feel like the state has welcomed me in ways other places would not,” she says. “It’s given me a place to live, grow and raise my family. I am honored to give back.”