Appalachian Innovation Collective (AIC) is a home for changemakers working to shape a more just, resilient, and hopeful future in Appalachia. We believe that powerful change starts with everyday people: those who are bold enough to dream, grounded enough to care, and brave enough to act. Through our interconnected work — including the civic engagement and grassroots leadership of Grow West Virginia, the hands-on skill-building and mentorship of the Mountain State Leadership Lab, and the creative visioning at the core of AIC — we are building a new model for rural leadership and innovation.

We grow leaders by equipping individuals with the tools, confidence, and support they need to lead from wherever they are — in boardrooms, on nonprofit boards, in their communities, or around the kitchen table.

We build community by fostering belonging, connection, and collective action rooted in Appalachian values.

And we spark innovation by creating space for new ideas, collaborations, and bold solutions to take root, even in the most overlooked places.

Together, our work nurtures an ecosystem where doers and dreamers can thrive, collaborate, and create meaningful impact.