PHILIPPI, W.Va. — Two Alderson Broaddus University students joined women from across the state as they gathered to honor and learn from each other’s experiences and celebrate their aspirations at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Summit: Women Paving the Way to a Diverse West Virginia. 

AB’s Student Government Association members, junior Caroline Ciardiello and freshman Justice Washington, were among 20 students from local colleges and universities sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and others to experience the impactful conference. Ciardiello and Washington had the opportunity to hear and learn from some of the most influential women leaders in West Virginia and beyond.

“It was an inspiring experience for our students to hear how powerful, successful women rose to success and are working to empower women throughout West Virginia,” said Associate Dean of Students Teresa VanAlsburg.

In its second year, the Women’s Leadership Summit brought more than 200 people together from all industries of West Virginia’s workforce for two days filled with dynamic speakers, networking opportunities, and more. The Summit allows attendees to mix and mingle with the speakers and other like-minded professionals advocating for the development and support of women in leadership roles.

The Summit is designed to connect, educate, and inspire women and featured an agenda packed with notable West Virginians and those with ties to West Virginia such as First Lady Cathy Justice, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Mayor Amy Goodwin, Jill Upson, Karen Bowling, Dr. Lyn O’Connell, The Hon. Yvette Mcgee Brown, Jennifer Giovannitti, Marchelle Moore, and others.