Madison grew up in Clay County, along the banks of the Elk River, where spending time outdoors shaped her early appreciation for nature, community, and the beauty of West Virginia. That connection to place eventually guided her career path and helped her discover her niche in outdoor recreation and rural development.
Featured Leader: Madison Stone
Executive Director, Elk River Trail Foundation | 2024 GWV Fellow
As Executive Director of the Elk River Trail Foundation, Madison’s work goes far beyond trail preservation, improvement, and promotion. She leads initiatives that extend the trail’s impact while focusing on economic development for the four towns the trail connects. Her role includes expanding trail infrastructure and accessibility, developing tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities, supporting small businesses and downtown revitalization, and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for both residents and visitors.
For Madison, the trail isn’t just a recreational asset. It’s a tool for long-term economic growth, pride of place, and opportunity in rural West Virginia.
Before becoming an executive director, Madison worked as an executive assistant to a CEO. While she gained valuable operational and leadership skills, she knew she wanted to take a more active role in shaping her community’s future.
“Through the fellowship, I found a network of driven, mission-oriented peers who inspired me to step into leadership and think bigger about my impact,” Madison reflects. “The program helped me realize I didn’t just want to support leaders—I wanted to be one.”
Today, she regularly connects with fellows from her cohort and others across the network for advice, collaboration, and problem-solving. That community continues to be a source of encouragement and momentum as she navigates nonprofit leadership and regional development.
Madison credits Generation WV as a catalyst for her growth, providing the confidence, connections, and perspective to lead boldly and invest her energy into building a stronger West Virginia. Through her work with the Elk River Trail, she’s helping create spaces where people want to live, visit, and build their futures—strengthening small-town communities and expanding outdoor recreation access across the region.