Generation West Virginia has added two new members to its expanding team. GWV proudly welcomes Katharina Fritzler as Operations and Program Coordinator and Mary Lu Adams as Employer Partnership Manager.
Born and raised just outside of Wheeling in Valley Grove, WV, Mary Lu Adams is ready to use her skills in employer relations to fulfill her two greatest passions: helping people discover and create their path in life, and working to improve and promote her beautiful home state.
After working as the Coordinator of Career Programs and Events at Georgia Southern University, Mary Lu became a Project Manager at WesBanco where she worked across departments to lead project teams, manage budgets and coordinate schedules for software upgrades.
As Employer Partnership Manager, Mary Lu will collaborate with members across the GWV team to develop strategies that effectively engage employers in the multiple program opportunities at GWV, including NewForce, Career Connector, and the Fellowship. Her efforts will grow GWV’s network of employers across the state, raising awareness and engaging partners to help further our mission of attracting, retaining, and advancing young people in the Mountain State.
“For several years, I’ve admired the work Generation West Virginia does, so I am thrilled to be welcomed onto the team and given the opportunity to realize such an important mission,” said Mary Lu. “I’m excited and grateful for this unique opportunity not only to serve West Virginia businesses and help them grow, but also to help young West Virginians see that they can choose to stay and prosper in the place they love.”
Katharina Fritzler, originally from Amherst, Virginia, moved to Charleston, WV, in 2018 to work for Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council as their Senior Program Manager. After falling in love with the state she became an advocate for West Virginia, convincing several friends to follow in her tracks and plant their roots right here in Almost Heaven. Katharina has also worked as a volunteer for several state and national non-profits, including New River Alliance for Climbers, American Alpine Club, Itty Bitty Kitty Committee and YWCA (Lynchburg, VA, and Charleston, WV). She is excited to bring her experience in program management to Generation West Virginia as Operations and Program Coordinator.
In her role, Katharina will serve the Generation West Virginia team and program participants through her love of budgeting, strategic development, collaboration, and program and event support and evaluation.
“Working for Generation West Virginia is a privilege and a dream come true,” Katharina said. “On a personal level, I love West Virginia and all the beauty and outdoor recreation it has to offer. Country roads truly brought me home. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. On a professional level, I get to apply my love for Almost Heaven and help it thrive and flourish with a team of talented and impassioned individuals.”
“Both Katharina and Mary Lu bring a wealth of experience to Generation West Virginia at an exciting time for our organization,” said Alex Weld, Executive Director of Generation West Virginia. “Their expertise is impressive, but just as impressive is their passion to help build a bright future for West Virginia and its young people. I’m thrilled to welcome them to the team.”
Generation West Virginia is also in the process of hiring a Director of Impact, a new position that will support the organization’s growth and development.
About Generation West Virginia
Generation West Virginia is a statewide organization dedicated to attracting, retaining, and advancing young people in the Mountain State. The organization accomplishes this by cultivating a network of young people to drive the development of thriving communities; creating job opportunities and career pathways in growing, diverse sectors of employment; identifying and communicating the priorities, motivations, and needs of the next generation; and serving as a voice and a source of action for young people to impact policy at the local, state, and federal levels. For more information, visit generationwv.org.