- P.O. Box 1133 Wayne, WV 25570
- 304-501-4755
- P.O. Box 1133 Wayne, WV 25570
- 304-501-4755
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The Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit, a collaboration by Coalfield Development and other regional partners will be the area’s largest gathering of social entrepreneurs this year! This amazing event will attract entrepreneurs who are interested in the model of social entrepreneurship, as well as current practitioners and investors who are looking to network and expand. This is a great chance to engage and support some of the most creative and compassionate leaders our hills and hollers have to offer.
Farm to Table Dinner and Social Enterprise Training INFO
You don’t want to miss our Farm to Table Dinner and Social Enterprise Training at West Edge on Monday October 3rd.
Farm to table dinner starts at 5:00pm.
We will host community training from 6-8pm. Participants can choose one of the following social enterprise topics for their experiential learning:
WHAT: Farm to Table Dinner and Social Enterprise Training
WHEN: Monday, October 3, 2022 | Farm to table dinner starts at 5:00 pm | We will host community training from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WHERE: West Edge Factory 1040 Vernon Street Huntington, WV 25704
Keynote speaker
Gayle Conelly Manchin
Federal Co-Chair
Appalachian Regional Commission
Gayle Conelly Manchin was sworn in as the Appalachian Regional Commission’s thirteenth federal co-chair on May 6, 2021, becoming the first ARC federal co-chair from West Virginia. Nominated by President Biden, Manchin works directly with ARC’s 13 member governors, their state alternates and program managers, and a network of local development districts to continue to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth throughout Appalachia.
An alumna of West Virginia University, Manchin worked as an educator in Marion County Schools, served on the faculty of Fairmont State University, and was the director of the university’s first Community Service Learning Program. She directed the AmeriCorps Promise Fellows in West Virginia between 2000-2004 and implemented a statewide initiative, WV Partnerships to Assure Student Success. Manchin previously served as West Virginia’s First Lady between 2005-2010 and was appointed to serve as a member of the State Board of Education, serving her last two years as president. She was the chair of the Board for Reconnecting McDowell, Inc., an AFT initiative serving rural West Virginia, is a past president of the Vandalia Rotary Club of Charleston, and was an emeritus member of The Education Alliance. She also served as cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Office of Education and the Arts.
Manchin’s top priorities as ARC federal co-chair are to support the creation of economic opportunities in the Appalachian Region, improve broadband access and critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities, and address the Region’s opioid crisis.
Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit Pitch Competition
APPALCHIAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUMMIT INFO
WHAT: Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit
WHEN: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 | 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
WHERE: Marshall University Don Morris Room
SUMMIT AGENDA
"This is a chance to engage and support some of the most creative and compassionate leaders our hills and hollers have to offer. The rise of social entrepreneurship in our region has led to several innovative business initiatives and entrepreneurs who want to run their business with the efficiency of a for-profit and the compassion of a non-profit. To diversify the Appalachian economy, we believe the social enterprise model is essential for reaching the underserved communities scattered throughout Appalachia.”
9:30 am – 9:45 am
Is Social Enterprise Critical for Appalachian Flourishing?
Description: Welcoming and Framing
Brandon Dennison, Coalfield Development CEO
9:50 am – 11:00 am
Keynote Discussion
Brad Smith, Former CEO of Intuit
John Kinzer, Former CFO of Hubspot
Dan Conant, Solar Holler Founder and CEO
Morning Break | 10:35 am – 10:45 am
10:45 am – 11:15 am
Round 1 – Idea Pitch and Virtual Voting
11:20 am – 12:10 pm
Morning Breakout Sessions: Opportunity Sectors
Description: An individual or group of individuals that are subject matter experts in specific fields with on the ground experience in the outlined sectors that can lead discussions.
President of Marshall University
Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, is recognized worldwide for his philanthropy and leadership roles. Smith served for 11 years as the chief executive officer of Intuit, and most recently served as the executive chairman of the board. He also is chairman of the Nordstrom board and served on the boards of Momentive (formerly Survey Monkey) and Yahoo.
In addition, he co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife Alys. The foundation provides increased access and support for education, entrepreneurship mentoring and investment and works to position West Virginia “as a showcase for the nation.” One of Wing 2 Wing’s signature initiatives is Ascend West Virginia, the nation’s premier remote workforce recruitment program.
Originally from Kenova, West Virginia, Smith received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marshall University and a master’s degree in management from Aquinas College in Michigan. He has two daughters, Devon and Payton.
Agriculture
Moderator: Adam Hudson, Director of Refresh Appalachia
Panelists:
Ecological Restoration
Moderator: Paul Patton, Chief Innovation Officer at Rural Action
Panelists:
Clean Energy
Moderator: Sarah Conley-Ballew, Director of Sustainable Energy Solutions at Rural Action
Panelists:
Downtown and Community Revitalization
Moderators: Casey McCann, Director of Revitalize Appalachia – Coalfield Development and Nick Guertin with Coalfield Development
Panelists:
Light Manufacturing
Moderator: Deacon Stone, Director of Innovation, The Center for Innovation at RCBI
Tourism and Hospitality
Moderator: Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism
Panelist:
12:10 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Panel: Why is Appalachia Fertile Ground for Social Enterprise?
Description: Practitioners that have enabled successful social enterprise or subject matter experts/investors/community leaders that have helped facilitate the growth of social
enterprise in Appalachia and other places in the United States.
Moderator: Faith Knutsen, Director of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University
1:10 pm – 2:00 pm
Afternoon Breakout Sessions: Paths to Success
Description: An individual or group of individuals that are subject matter experts in the specific topic and have on the ground experience in the outlined sectors that can lead discussions.
Supporting Employees in Social Enterprise Moderator: Kelli Crabtree, Chief Human Development Officer at Coalfield Development
Panelists:
Access to Capital – Structures and Strategies
Moderator: Debbie Phillips, CEO of Rural Action
Panelists:
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
Moderator: Chris Yura, Strategic Partners
Manager at Coalfield Development
Panelists:
Afternoon Break | 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
2:20 pm – 3:20 pm
Business Pitch Competition
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Idea Pitch Finals
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Business and Pitch Winners Announced and Conclusion of Conference
Core Organizers and Panelists
Sponsors
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS
Dutch Miller Automotive • Virginia Tech • Invest Appalachia • Ohio University • REDF • AutoDesk Foundation • West Virginia University • UVA Wise • AssuredPartners • Encova Insurance • Country Roads Angel Network • WV Hive • New River Gorge Regional Development Authority • Rural Action • Ramond James Financial • River City Subaru • Netranom
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Proudly supported by these incredible organizations, partners, and more…
Rebuilding the Appalachian economy from the ground up. We believe in developing the potential of Appalachia through the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.