The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Materials
CHARLESTON — WV KIDS COUNT is announcing its Champion of Children awardees for the upcoming The State of West Virginia’s Kids Virtual Summit Awards. The committee is releasing the 2020 WV KIDS COUNT Data Book and recognizing community leaders who champion our child well-being domains: education, health, economic well-being and family and community. With some very recognizable names, we are honored to shed a bright light on West Virginians who lead by example.
Our overall Champion of Children is Brad D. Smith, former CEO of Intuit and co-founder of The Wing 2 Wing Foundation, an organization whose goal is to advance the great equalizers of education and entrepreneurship in regions where individuals and communities have been overlooked and underserved. He and his wife, Alys, personally donated $25 million to Marshall University because they believe so passionately in education and economic opportunity. Smith also led Intuit to establish a prosperity hub in downtown Bluefield, creating up to 500 jobs planned. He is a true West Virginia success story – a son of Marshall University and champion of all that is good in the Mountain State.