Tricia Kingery

Photo by John Sibold.

By Kristen Uppercue

Amid the final days of his battle with cancer, Tricia Kingery’s father asked her what she really wanted to do with her life.

“I responded, ‘Dad, we talk every day. You know me. I’m a career girl, and I want to be a mom,’” Kingery says. “He looked at me and said, ‘Stop working for other people. Start your own business. Use your God-given talents and do what you love on your own terms. I promise, if you do, you’ll experience success at a whole other level and become the mother you’ve always wanted to be.’”

Together, they set a deadline of August 1, 2007, for Kingery to start her own business: Kingery & Company. Her father passed on May 13, 2007.

“My first priority was to help my mom, who has inspired me to never give up, find her way without him,” Kingery says. “As August 1 approached, I put wheels in motion, said a prayer and resigned from my job.”

On August 1, 2007, Kingery & Company became a reality—meeting the deadline her father gave her. For 15 years, the consulting firm has been helping nonprofits empower people, develop organizations and strengthen communities.

“It’s bittersweet because it’s been 15 years without my dad, but at the same time, I know I’m making him proud,” she says.

Today, Kingery is also the president and founder of The Retreat WV, a meeting, co-working and event venue established in 2018 in Charleston, WV, and The Cottage at Northgate, a venue established in 2021 featuring event space, meeting rooms and leased office space.

Her greatest career achievement was the opportunity to coordinate the opening of the CAMC Cancer Center in 2015. Kingery’s father had received care at CAMC, so this endeavor had significant meaning for her. For Kingery, the most rewarding part was helping the staff, patients and families experience the healing environment of the state-of-the-art center in Charleston.

The drive to make a positive difference in the world and be a good role model for her daughter, Alexandra, keeps Kingery motivated. She loves to be creative; however, there aren’t many options for children to do that in Charleston, so Kingery is currently working on plans to open a children’s art studio—The Creative Place.

“I want my life to mean something,” she says. “Everything I do, I do for my daughter, Alexandra. She’s watching. She’s listening. I want to be a great role model for her and others. I believe investing in young people is a way to pay it forward. Investments come in the form of time, encouragement, advice, tough love and taking a chance on them.”

In the past, Kingery has served as the FestivALL Charleston strategic planning facilitator to spearhead the development of a new three-year plan to create, produce and present vibrant arts experiences and entertainment opportunities, serving as a catalyst for others to do the same.

Kingery is the current executive director of WV KIDS COUNT, advocating for West Virginian children’s needs. She has also served as the statewide coordinator of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Coalition of West Virginia.

She currently serves as a board member of YWCA Charleston. Kingery spearheaded the establishment of the John K. Clendenen Scholarship Fund, which provides a Capital High School senior with a scholarship, and she continues to support the foundation through fundraising efforts. To be awarded the scholarship, the student must write an essay surrounding her father’s motto for life: “Treat everybody like a somebody.”

“From the time I was in high school, I made a commitment to stay in West Virginia,” Kingery says. “I have spent the last 15 years doing what I love and loving what I do. My life’s work doesn’t feel like work. It feels like I’m living my dreams. As I jump into my next chapter, I am taking all that I’ve learned and will use it to create a better world for my daughter and a stronger state for her and other children to grow and have the choice to stay. By establishing new businesses, continuing my commitment to community service and mentoring young people, my wish is for others to embrace all that is good about living, working, playing and growing in West Virginia.