Home
Events and Initiatives
Focus Forward: Preparing Today for the West Virginia of Tomorrow
2025 Focus Forward

FOCUS FORWARD: LONG LIVE WEST VIRGINIA

April 22 | Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, Morgantown WV

Networking Breakfast: 8-9 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Closing Reception: 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Thank you for all who attended Focus Forward — West Virginia's annual statewide conference that focuses on important issues that will shape West Virginia's future workforce and ecomony. More than 550 people registered to meet with national, state and local experts to explore the intersection of health, wellness and economic mobility while networking and forging meaningful connections.

See full agenda and additional details below!

View Focus Forward 2025 Bookshelf

Be the first to know about Focus Forward updates.

Through the Lens

AGENDA

LONG LIVE WEST VIRGINIA 

8:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast + Coffee

9:00 a.m.

Welcome

9:10 a.m.

West Virginia’s Longevity Checkup: The Future of Health and Prosperity

Framing Longevity. It’s both the years in our lives, and the lives in our years. While modern medicine, advanced technologies, groundbreaking research and innovative treatments are progressively improving patient care and combatting disease, we are farther behind in solving for wellness. And yet, it is the full ecosystem around wellbeing that drives economic outcomes in society.

Learn about the data that drives whether people – or whole states – live longer, healthier, disease-free lives, and how individualized care is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. 

Fireside Chat:

Jen Giovannitti, President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Clay Marsh, MD, Chancellor, Health Sciences, West Virginia University

9:40 a.m.

The Future Ain't What It Used to Be: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges for an Aging Population

People want to be empowered to choose how they live as they age. More than 100 million Americans are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. How do we make aging easier, take advantage of technology, thrive in the longevity economy, and plan the best futures for ourselves and our loved ones?

Speaker:

Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, AARP

10:40 a.m.

Networking Break

11:00 a.m.

The Future Rx: Designing Resilient and Innovative Healthcare Systems

West Virginia faces many health challenges. We rank among the highest in cancer, heart disease, neuro, obesity and loneliness — to name a few. These medical conditions age us faster. But there are opportunities to slow, and even reverse, aging – as individuals, employers, policymakers, healthcare providers and educators.

Hear how West Virginia’s largest healthcare systems are positioned to support patients’ best quality of life, health span and longevity. Their efforts are creating a lasting impact on the future of health in West Virginia. What does this new landscape look like?

Panelists: 

David Ramsey, President and CEO, Vandalia Health
Scott Raynes, President and CEO, Marshall Health Network
Albert Wright President and CEO, WVU Health System

11:40 a.m.

Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m.

Built to Last: The Playbook for Longevity from Elite Performance

As elite athletes push the limits of human performance, the challenge isn’t just excelling in their sport, it is sustaining health and longevity long after the final whistle. Exploring the evolving landscape of sports science, from cutting-edge training and recovery to the future of wearable technology, this conversation reveals insights that extend beyond sports, shaping the future of health and resilience for all.

Speaker:

Roderick Moore, Sport Science Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers

12:50 p.m.

How to Die Young... As Late as Possible!

Hear from 84-year young world-class neurosurgeon, triathlete and Pittsburgh Steelers physician, Dr. Joseph Maroon, as he shares his personal journey, life experiences and medical expertise.

Speaker:

Joseph Maroon, MD, Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery, UPMC; Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience; Pittsburgh Steelers Physician

1:20 p.m.

Wake Up to the Facts: Why Sleep Matters to our Personal and State Health

From toddlers and teens to employees and elders – sleep is one of the most critical drivers of health, wellness and productivity. Understanding sleep, our circadian rhythm, sleep disorders and the science of sleep benefits our physical, mental and emotional health – plus, healthy aging. Is West Virginia getting enough sleep?

Panelists:

David Gozal, MD, Dean and Vice President for Health Affairs, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University

Randy Nelson, Professor and Chair, Hazel Ruby McQuain Chair for Neurological Research, West Virginia University

2:00 p.m.

Networking Break

2:20 p.m.

Living Longer, Working Smarter: How Extended Life is Redefining Work

More people are working longer, traditional notions of retirement are changing and we spend most of our waking hours at our jobs. How does our work environment affect our longevity, and how does our longevity affect our work environment? How are these changes impacting our health span, including our sense of purpose, overall wellbeing and longevity? How will a shrinking demographic of younger workers and a growing number of older workers disrupt work. How can we prepare today for opportunities tomorrow? 

Panelists:

John Deskins, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research; Associate Professor, Economics, John Chambers College of Business and Economics, West Virginia University

Andrea Garrett Business Development, Policy and Strategic Growth, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

David Luckey Senior International, Defense Researcher, RAND Corporation; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School

3:00 p.m.

Personalizing the Health Span Journey From Genetic Codes to Zip Codes

Precision medicines are designed to recruit our own body’s capabilities to heal. This innovative approach to combatting disease and tailoring personalized treatments is the future of medicine, and the industry is breaking ground in our backyard. While Pittsburgh once forged steel for the American economy, it is now poised to forge biologics. Regional partners will be integral in scaling this effort and delivering these life-changing medicines accessibly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

How can we connect health, education and economic development to create growth opportunities for the region and country amid changes to the pharmaceutical industry? How do we bring together the right mix of scientists, engineers and plant managers to bring this manufacturing approach to life? What does personalized medicine look like and how will patients receive medication in the decades to come? Will drug pricing and costs for consumers improve or inflame?

Panelists:

Vishal Agrawal, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, Humana

Ken Gabriel, CEO, BioForge

3:40 p.m.

Long Live West Virginia: Universities Innovating for a Healthier Tomorrow

A seven-year tradition continues as the presidents of West Virginia’s two largest universities join to discuss the future of education, innovation, economic prosperity and health in West Virginia and beyond.

Fireside Chat:

E. Gordon Gee, President, West Virginia University

Jen Giovannitti, President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Tom Heywood, Chair, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Brad D. Smith, President, Marshall University

4:30 p.m.

Celebrating E. Gordon Gee’s Legacy Reception, Hosted by Discover the Real West Virginia

ABOUT FOCUS FORWARD: LONG LIVE WEST VIRGINIA

In its seventh year, Focus Forward: Long Live West Virginia will explore our longevity and the use of technology in health and wellness. At a dynamic time for both national age demographic shifts, changes in life span and growing understanding of how we can affect our health span, we know that these issues will affect the future of our workplaces, families, schools and health care systems. We will look ahead to what factors influence living longer, healthier lives. But why do some people age faster than others, and what can be done to change our health span? How do our societal systems, our business opportunities and our daily choices need to change to meet the changing times?

As one of the oldest but most connected states, West Virginia can serve as both a patient and a living laboratory in global longevity lessons. Looking at the intersection of health, wellness and economic mobility, we will explore how this complex relationship impacts businesses, workforce development, policy and education in West Virginia and around the world.

ABOUT FOCUS FORWARD

Focus Forward’s annual event is uniquely designed to link education, health and economic development in the examination of an important emerging issue that will shape our future. National and statewide leaders address hundreds of public officials, educators, business leaders, community members, philanthropists and non-profit heads who come together to discuss why key issues matter to us all. Past topics have tackled AI and digital opportunities to changes in industry sectors such as energy.

Focus Forward is led by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative (representing P-13 and higher education interests across the state) and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.