CHARLESTON AREA ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 2024-2025 LEADERSHIP CLASS

Regional Leadership Program Welcomes 26 Participants

Charleston, West Virginia – The Charleston Area Alliance is excited to announce the participants of the Leadership Kanawha Valley Class of 2024-25. Program participants include 26 professionals from around the Kanawha Valley. Throughout the eight-month program, the class will meet monthly to hear from guest speakers, attend exclusive tours throughout the region, and discuss community challenges and initiatives.

For over 20 years, the Alliance has offered this highly sought-after professional development opportunity, and more than 500 individuals have joined the Leadership Kanawha Valley alumni network. Through community immersion and interactions with diverse leaders, Leadership Kanawha Valley cultivates leaders and ignites the advancement of the region. The following individuals are participating in the 2024-25 program:

· Brian Aluise – Charleston Area Alliance

· Stefany Angarita – Gomez Dow, Inc.

· Joshua Austin – Highmark Health Options WV

· Austin Breeden – Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP

· Zack Cleary – Centurion Insurance Services

· Hampton Cokeley – Netranom Communications

· Sarah Ellison – City National Bank

· Conner Fowler – Graystone Consulting

· Adam Fox – Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

· Antonia Francis – West Virginia Housing Development Fund

· Bradley Graham – The YMCA of Kanawha Valley

· Allison Green – Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Tri-State

· Bethany Hoylman – WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals

· Shia Johnson – EnAct, Inc.

· Susan Lefew – AARP West Virginia

· Lisa Melton – Martin Sonesta ES Suites Charleston

· Barbara “Annie” Norrod – EnAct, Inc.

· Josh Potter – West Virginia International Yeager Airport

· Austin Rogers – Babst Calland

· Kristin Schmalzer – Franklin Interiors

· Colby Schoolcraft – Arclin Amines

· Aaron Smith – Peoples Bank

· Leslie Smithson – Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau

· Johnathan Walker – Recovery Sports Grill

· Robin Watson – Appalachian Power/AEP

· Van Workman – Security America, Inc.

“We continue to be impressed with the commitment that our Leadership Kanawha Valley participants show to their community and to their own growth,” said Susie Salisbury, VP of Community Development for the Alliance. “We’re grateful to their employers for allowing them to be part of this program and we are looking forward to another year full of networking, educational sessions and experiences.”

Leadership Kanawha Valley has exposed emerging and existing community leaders to the issues that face our region while challenging and engaging participants to strengthen the community through service and leadership. The Charleston Area Alliance would like to thank WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals for their continued support of Leadership Kanawha Valley. For questions about the Leadership program, please contact Susie Salisbury at ssalisbury@charlestonareaalliance.org.