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Generation WV Presents: Pathways to Progress – Building Careers, Communities, and Opportunity in West Virginia

2026 Pathways to Progress Agenda


May 14, 2026 - Embassy Suites - Charleston, WV

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Pathways to Progress — Conference Agenda
Generation West Virginia · 2026 Annual Conference
Pathways to Progress
Building Careers, Communities, and Opportunity in West Virginia
Plenary / Main Room
Breakout Sessions
Keynote
Networking & Social
8:00 –
9:00 am
9:00 am
Plenary
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Setting the tone for the day and grounding the conversation in GWV's mission and impact, with a welcome from the City of Charleston.
Dr. Jade Irving serves as Vice Chair of Generation West Virginia and Senior Project Officer with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Her work focuses on strengthening alignment between education and workforce needs, improving access, and supporting clear pathways into high-demand careers.
As Executive Director, Robbie Skinner leads Generation West Virginia’s statewide efforts to attract, retain, and advance young professionals while strengthening the state’s workforce and economic future.
More info coming soon!
Max Knapp is a West Virginian finance and investment leader whose experience spans Wall Street, private equity, private wealth management, and entrepreneurship. He is Managing Director for Wing 2 Wing Ventures, where he helps nurture and invest in West Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Main Room
9:30 –
10:00 am
Plenary
I Am Generation WV
A fast-paced, story-driven overview of Generation West Virginia programs and alumni highlights.
More info coming soon!
Main Room
10:00 –
11:00 am
Breakout A
Employer Solutions Lab: Building a Stronger Business Model Through Strategic Partnerships
Lightning talks on PEO services, financial consulting, employment law, marketing, and GWV recruiting — followed by moderated discussion.
Sarah is an organizational design consultant and people strategist with over 20 years of experience in leadership development, team effectiveness, and organizational change. She currently runs workableSCK, a consulting practice focused on helping teams and companies work better.
More info coming soon!
Session focus: PEO services.
Candice Holcomb is a mission-driven finance leader who blends technical expertise with a deep commitment to helping purpose-based organizations thrive. She partners with nonprofit and social-impact clients to build clear, data-driven financial systems that support strategic growth and sustainability.
Session focus: Financial consulting.
More info coming soon!
Session focus: Employment law.
Peyton Ballard is the founder of Selah Directive, where he partners with mission-driven organizations and founders to create clarity, close operational gaps, and build momentum for what comes next. Through Selah, he has helped clients secure multi-million dollar capital investments, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and lead with purpose through seasons of growth and transition.
Session focus: Marketing & communications.
Since joining Generation WV as the Career Connector Program Manager, Evan has been instrumental in helping connect job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities. He works closely with companies, assists clients using the Generational Talent Search, and supports job seekers with resumes, cover letters, and interview skills.
Session focus: GWV recruiting services.
Main Room
Breakout B
Tech Talk: Innovation Shaping the Future of Work in West Virginia
AI policy, telehealth access, emerging technology partnerships, and business connectivity solutions. Moderated by Ariana Shives, Tech Connect.
Ariana Shives is a social entrepreneur and innovation leader dedicated to advancing technology-driven economic development in West Virginia. She serves as Executive Director of TechConnect West Virginia and regularly works with founders, investors, universities, and policymakers to strengthen the state’s innovation economy.
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
Session focus: AI solutions and AI policy considerations for employers.
Courtney Reynolds, PA-C, MBA, serves as Chief Operations Officer at Southern West Virginia Health System, where she has spent nearly two decades advancing healthcare delivery, operational efficiency, and telehealth solutions to better serve rural populations.
Session focus: Telehealth and workforce access.
More info coming soon!
Mario Acosta-Velez leads regional strategy for high-impact corporate social responsibility and local engagement initiatives. His work includes philanthropic giving, stakeholder engagement, technology education, and partnerships that advance workforce development and economic opportunity.
Session focus: Business connectivity solutions.
Breakout Room
11:00 am
Keynote
Keeping Our Kids in West Virginia
Hope Gas CEO Morgan O'Brien outlines a statewide strategy to build career pathways between education and the natural gas industry — from high school classroom engagement through paid summer rotations and apprenticeships.
Morgan K. O’Brien is Hope’s Chief Executive Officer. He previously led Duquesne Light Company and Peoples Gas and has built a reputation for positioning utilities as community partners that drive economic development, create family-sustaining jobs, and improve quality of life.
Session focus: The keynote highlights Hope Academy, a statewide partnership connecting high schools and career and technical education programs to classroom engagement, paid summer job rotations, and apprenticeship pathways in the natural gas industry.
Main Room
11:30 am –
12:30 pm
12:30 –
2:45 pm
Plenary
Staying Power: What It Takes to Retain Young West Virginians
Join an experienced group of topic experts in a candid conversation about the factors influencing whether young people stay, return, or leave. Seat yourself at your preferred topic and please spread out if it’s full.
Housing Availability and Affordability
Karen Jacobson — Woodlands Development Group
+
Discussion topic lead for housing availability and affordability.
Childcare and Family Supports
Jason Moss — Wonderschool
+
Discussion topic lead for childcare and family supports.
Healthcare Access
Teri Harlan — Fayette County Health Department
+
Discussion topic lead for healthcare access.
Wages and Job Quality
Goodwill Contact — Goodwill
+
Discussion topic lead for wages and job quality.
Broadband Access
Elizabeth Sanner — Appalachian Regional Commission
+
Discussion topic lead for broadband access.
Social and Community Policies
Brianna Hickman — WV Hub
+
Discussion topic lead for social and community policies.
Workforce Re-entry
Kelly Coffin — Jobs and Hope
+
Discussion topic lead for workforce re-entry.
Upskilling
Josiah Hannah — Coalfield Development
+
Discussion topic lead for upskilling.
Local Services / Infrastructure
Cassandra Lawson — Region 4 Planning and Development Council
+
Discussion topic lead for local services and infrastructure.
Pathways to Local Civic Engagement
Robbie Skinner — Generation West Virginia
+
Discussion topic lead for pathways to local civic engagement.
Main Room
Housing & Affordability Childcare & Family Healthcare Access Wages & Job Quality Broadband Recovery & Reentry Civic Engagement Local Services & Infrastructure
Main Room
2:45 –
3:00 pm
Break
Afternoon Break
3:00 –
4:00 pm
Breakout A
Data That Matters: What Community College Outcomes Tell Us About WV's Workforce
Findings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Survey of WV Community College Outcomes. Moderated by Brandon Dennison, Marshall University.
Stephanie Norris is a regional economist focused on workforce, labor markets, and higher education in the Fifth District. She leads the bank’s Community College Initiative and directs the Survey of Community College Outcomes, a data collection effort designed to capture the role community colleges play in local workforce pipelines.
More info coming soon!
Main Room
Breakout B
The Power of Connection in Rural Places: How Broadband Enables Young West Virginians to Build Meaningful Careers Without Leaving Home
Storytelling and facilitated discussion on broadband, telehealth, rural entrepreneurship, and digital skills. Moderated by Annie Stroud, GWV Broadband Program Director.
Annie Stroud leads the Generation WV Broadband program, leveraging expertise in project management, economic development, and community building to expand broadband access across the state. Her work has helped secure over $46 million in funding for broadband infrastructure and digital equity projects in West Virginia.
Bill Woodrum manages a broad portfolio of programs focused on building resilient communities and a vibrant economy for West Virginia. His work spans economic development, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship support, and nonprofit leadership.
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
Luke Peters joined the West Virginia Office of Broadband in 2023 after a long career in community and infrastructure development. As Program Manager of the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, he helps guide implementation of one of the largest broadband investments in West Virginia.
More info coming soon!
Breakout Room
4:00 –
4:30 pm
Plenary
Intentional Leadership
How organizational systems, not just individual effort, drive engagement, performance, and retention.
More info coming soon!
Main Room
4:30 pm
Plenary
Closing Reflections & Next Steps
Key takeaways, calls to action, and how participants can continue engaging with Generation West Virginia.
Main Room
5:30 pm

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Why Sponsor?

Connect with Decision-Makers

Engage directly with industry leaders, workforce experts, policymakers, and young professionals who are driving change across West Virginia. Your sponsorship puts you in front of 5,000+ business leaders, elected officials, and changemakers through our multi-channel marketing efforts.

Demonstrate Your Commitment

Show that your organization is invested in solving West Virginia’s most critical workforce challenges. From talent retention to emerging trends in healthcare, energy, technology, and education—this conference tackles the issues that matter most to our state’s future.

Amplify Your Brand

Gain prominent visibility through conference signage, our event website, email communications, social media campaigns, and recognition during the event. Your support will be seen by the people who matter most to your business.

Build Strategic Partnerships

Connect with key stakeholders across multiple sectors and discover collaboration opportunities that extend far beyond conference day. This is where relationships are forged and solutions are born.

Make an Impact

Whether you’re looking to position your company as a thought leader through panel participation, maximize your visibility with premier exhibitor space, or simply show your support for West Virginia’s workforce—we have a sponsorship package designed for you.

Ready to Chart West Virginia’s Future?

Help us build a network of changemakers and create actionable solutions for West Virginia’s workforce challenges. Your sponsorship makes this vital gathering possible.

Contact Jennifer Taylor, Director of Development
Email: jennifer@generationwv.org

Download Sponsorship Packet