Leadership West Virginia's seven-week program includes two days at Adventures on the Gorge, just a mile from the New River Gorge Bridge, focused on tourism. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

LANSING – Nearly 60 men and women from across West Virginia gathered just a mile from the New River Gorge Bridge before the state’s 163rd birthday for a multi-week program aimed at instilling in them a love for their state and a fire to spread the word to others.

This year’s Leadership West Virginia (LWV) class wrapped up their second two-day session Friday at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, Fayette County.

LWV’s June session always takes place in the heart of West Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy, home to the newest national park – the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The region is filled with multiple opportunities to camp, go white water rafting, hiking, climbing, zip lining and other outdoor activities.

While the Huntington session serves as the kickoff for each new LWV class, the New River Gorge session is often described by past class members where they really got to know their fellow classmates better and where their love for West Virginia grew by leaps and bounds.

Last year saw a changing of the guard for LWV, with Jen Willits (LWV Class of 2018) becoming the organization’s next executive director, succeeding Pam Ferris who retired in March 2025 after helming LWV for 20 years. Willits is a former financial services executive.

Leadership West Virginia Executive Director Jen Willits (left) and Deputy Director Jessica Robinson (right) are in their second year guiding the program through its 35th year. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

“The organization had such a strong foundation in terms of how it’s brought people together and the connections,” Willits said. “We’re just really excited about the future of the organization in terms of really looking at our curriculum, in terms of strengthening it, to make sure we’re staying relevant … and just making sure that the program continues to be the place that people can come together and have the difficult conversations and have those face-to-face interactions that are so important to keep moving West Virginia forward.”

Jessica Robinson, a former educator and LWV Class of 2023 alumna, joined Willits one month later to serve as deputy director, succeeding Kate Reed in that role.

“I think that after going through the program myself in 2023, I think what made it so special is that it is a unique opportunity for learning and connecting that you can’t usually get as an adult,” Robinson said. “I don’t think that there is any other opportunity in the state where you can really get to know people, get to know West Virginia’s issues, and come together to form solutions with people from all over the state … That’s the type of thing that is going to move West Virginia forward.”

Willits and Robinson have spent the last two years working to keep LWV doing what it does best while also changing the curriculum to keep things fresh. They have also worked aggressively to keep LWV alumni engaged in the organization, with plans for additional events and gatherings. LWV alumni and class members can now show off their LWV pride through a merchandise store.

Each LWV class is diverse in race, gender and employment backgrounds. The organization, a program of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, attracts company CEOs, entrepreneurs, attorneys, marketing professionals, non-profit directors, healthcare leaders, West Virginia National Guard officers, architects, bankers and educators. Even a news reporter (the author of this article was part of the LWV Class of 2023).

Jim Strawn, owner and president of Jim Strawn and Company, gives a presentation Friday to members of the 2026 class of Leadership West Virginia on public speaking at Adventures on the Gorge. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

The goal of LWV is to train up leaders to help improve West Virginia for years and decades to come; to “move West Virginia forward.” LWV began in 1991 and 35 years later has more than 1,700 alumni all across West Virginia.

Class members travel to different regions of West Virginia over a seven-week period between May and November. Each session focuses on a different subject, such as education, healthcare, tourism, the judiciary, energy and manufacturing, and the legislative process.

While learning from experts on these various topics, LWV class members also learn about the success stories in different regions of the state, the challenges facing these areas and the state as a whole, and how to address those challenges. LWV class members also take part in service projects in the communities they visit each week.

Stephanie Paluda lives in Pittsburgh, but she works as the community affairs manager for Expand Energy Corporation with offices in Morgantown and Triadelphia. Paluda said she hopes to use her experiences in West Virginia to better inform her company’s charitable giving to better serve her region of the state.

“I’m always trying to dive deep into what do people really need,” Paluda said. “How can we really solve the problems? So, one of the things here is learning from other people of how do you do it in your area? What are the issues? What are solutions you’ve done, and seeing, as an individual and as a company, how can I make sure that we’re giving to the right things? How can we make change?”

Stephanie Paluda, the community affairs manager for Expand Energy Corporation, hopes to take what she learns in Leadership West Virginia to help her better serve the Northern Panhandle. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

Individuals can either apply to be part of LWV or can be nominated, but the selection process is rigorous, with the number of applications often exceeding the number of available slots. Applications must include clear answers to questions, show leadership growth in their industry, demonstrate community service, and include references.

The program also has a $4,000 tuition not covering lodging or transportation, though need-based scholarships are also available. LWV candidates must attend an orientation and attend at least six out of eight sessions in order to graduate. The program is supported in part by the generous donations of individuals, companies, and organizations that believe in the mission of LWV.

More information can be found at LeadershipWV.org