THE FUTURE THINKER

Alex Weld

Executive Director, Generation West Virginia

SUPERPOWER: Determination

From a young age, Alex Weld knew she wanted to do impactful work. Journalism initially seemed like the path she was meant to take, but she became frustrated with not being able to tell what she felt were the important stories, and she wanted to have a more involved role in community change. She found her place in 2017 when she pivoted to nonprofit work. Now she leads Generation WV while also serving on the West Virginia Workforce Development board and executive committee and the Regional Economic Development Partnership board.

At Generation WV, Weld works with her team to foster a West Virginia in which young people across the state have opportunities to thrive. “We have to start with opportunity, so we really double down on the workforce development component of the organization and have worked to build up our workforce training, placement, and retention programs to help young people be able to stay here if they want to.”

Weld looks forward to working with other entities across the state to achieve the goals her team has set for themselves. “We are trying to figure out how to work with partners to understand how we can be very collaborative on workforce challenges,” she says. “One organization cannot solve the challenges we have, and I’m happy that we have a seat at the table. I want to feel like our work is complementing some larger initiatives across the state and building collaborative solutions.”

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Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.