Designing and building the future of work in the heart of America’s coal country
West Virginia has been called “almost heaven,” but the reality is that, according to Jacob Hannah, CEO at Coalfield Development, it’s been going through “hell.” In this talk, he delves into the socioeconomic struggles of Appalachia, particularly focusing on the aftermath of the coal industry's decline. He illustrates the severe economic and health disparities, including high rates of opioid addiction and obesity, and substantially lower life expectancies. Hannah’s nonprofit is tackling these issues by empowering local communities through workforce development and transforming abandoned mine lands into productive assets. His approach integrates training for new sectors like solar energy, offering certifications in various trades, and revitalizing properties to foster economic growth. Hannah emphasizes a collaborative model that involves local expertise and partnerships, aiming to rebuild the region sustainably from the ground up, fostering both community resilience and economic prosperity.
About the speaker
Jacob Hannah is Chief Executive Officer at Coalfield Development. With three generations of coal mining in his family, and a fifth generation West Virginian, Jacob integrates an empathetic and grounded approach to the strategy of triple-bottom line sustainability; balancing people, planet, and prosperity in harmony with each other with a lens towards a fair and just transition.