Feel the Burma Burn! Register for the New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race

  • List Item #1
  • List Item #2
  • List Item #3
  • List Item #1
  • List Item #2
  • List Item #3
Search

ABOUT US

STRIVING TO MAKE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA A MODEL OF HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND ACTIVE LIVING

Our founders recognized that West Virginia was struggling with heart disease, diabetes, short life expectancy, drug abuse, and obesity. Public and private partners came together to support this non-profit organization, focused on improving those statistics and assisting local communities to improve health, increase activity, and become the model for active living.

The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority helped launch Active Southern West Virginia as a non-profit, region-wide initiative to motivate area residents, businesses, schools and local governments to make physical activity a personal and regional priority. A healthy and active community will attract new businesses, tourism, and jobs while developing a proud culture of wellness and physical activity in southern West Virginia.

What We Strive For

Wellness creates jobs

Strategy

Active SWV meets West Virginians where they are with the Community Captain, Kids Run Club, Workplace Wellness, and Active Places programs, improving health access within families, schools, workplaces, and communities.

This ecosystem of volunteer led programs empowers residents across generations with the knowledge, ability, and opportunity to live an active lifestyle.

Volunteers invite their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to join a routine of physical activity. These social support systems are all inclusive and delivered on a peer-to-peer level. Active SWV’s ecosystem connects residents to valuable community resources and partnerships, strengthening the vitality of Appalachian communities across West Virginia.

 

MISSION​

Active Southern West Virginia (Active SWV) is a non-profit organization providing an ecosystem of physical activity for West Virginians of all ages by offering programs led by trained volunteers from within the communities, schools, and workplaces they serve as a means of promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic disease.

vision

Active SWV envisions a future where all West Virginians live a healthy and active lifestyle that contributes to the overall strength and vitality of Appalachian communities across the state.

looking for more info?

READ more about us

Reports, programs, newsletters, and more.

Active SWV newsletters have all the latest information and updates you need to stay current. Read what’s new in our Community Captain, Workplace Wellness, Active Places, and Kids Run Club programs. We will also fill you in on events, partner news, and provide you with health and nutrition tips. Click here to sign up to receive next month’s newsletter.

click for latest info

MEET THE

ACTIVE SWV Team

Melanie Seiler

Executive Director

Board Member: Visit Southern West Virginia and New River Conservancy

Melanie Seiler is the founding Executive Director of Active SWV with 20 years' experience in business ownership and management, an associate degree in Adventure Sports and B.S. Adventure Recreation Management, certified instructor in the following; Work@Health, Diabetes Prevention Program, and Mindfulness. Named one of West Virginia Executive’s 2017 Generation Next 40 Under 40 professionals. Named one of West Virginia Living 2019 Wonder Women. Favorite outdoor activity: taking others to remote locations for the first time.
Email

Elizabeth Raney

Community Captain Director
Elizabeth joins the Active Southern West Virginia staff as the Community Captain Director. This role facilitates the recruiting, training, mentoring, and evaluation of the volunteers serving as Community Captains. Additional roles include health education in evidence based behavior change courses such as Walk With Ease and Diabetes Prevention Programs. Elizabeth has an Elementary Education degree from Concord University.
Email

Adam Scruggs

Financial Assistant
Adam brings exceptional attention to detail with accounts payable and receivable. Adam works part time for Active SWV and full time for the City of Beckley. Adam enjoys being active with his wife and young son.
Email

India Tarleton Krawczyk

Director of Operations
India Tarleton Krawczyk started at Active SWV as an Americorps VISTA serving two terms in Development and Outreach before joining the Active SWV staff as the full time Youth Programming Director. As program director, she oversees the Kids Run Club volunteer training, program facilitation, and data collection for the program. India holds a bachelors in Anthropology and Philosophy from the University of Vermont. Running, physical activity, and being outside have always been an important part of India’s life. She’s interested in creating accessible opportunities for kids and adults to take advantage of the numerous mental and physical benefits of being physically active.
Email

Jenni Canterbury

Development Director
Jenni joins the Active SWV team after years in business sales, communications, fundraising, teaching, and volunteering in Raleigh County, WV. Her role as Development Director includes building relationships with partners who value active living. Jenni understand the needs and challenges in southern West Virginia to stay active on a daily basis. She joins us with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts and a Masters of Arts in Global Marketing, Communication and Advertising.
Email

Leah Chester

Creative Grant Support Specialist
Leah joins the Active SWV team for a year as the AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator. Leah moved to WV from IN with her family. She has a Master of Art degree from Saint Francis University and bachelor of science degree in Geology from Indiana University. Leah is a trail enthusiast who loves to help others find the right place to hike for them.
Email

Kelly Fox

Workplace Wellness Director
Active SWV is thrilled to announce that Kelly Fox will be leading our Workplace Wellness program! Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, holding a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology, and a master’s degree in social work. Her expertise in social work has given her the skills to develop evidence-based programs that empower individuals and foster sustainable change.
email

Brandon Mehlinger

Director of Programs & Events
Brandon joined the Active SWV team as an Americorps VISTA serving from August 2022 - August 2023. He graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in the Fall of 2020 with a B.A in Criminology. Brandon is a lifelong runner and has helped coach multiple run clubs this past Fall.

“Being selfless and helping others is what this world needs. I truly believe there is no stronger sense of purpose than when you are making a positive change for others.”
Email

The Active Southern West Virginia Board of Directors

Board Chair: David Bernier – WVU Institute of Technology Assistant Teaching Professor: Adventure Recreation Management

Board Vice Chair/Treasurer: Debby Sizemore – Retired Commercial Banker

Board Secretary: Kay Bess – community member, retired from Visit Southern West Virginia Tourism

Phil Waidner – Arrowhead Bike Farm

Jen Wood – Chief Marketing Officer, ZMM

Sean Bulger – Professor and Associate Dean for Online Education and Technology, West Virginia University, College of Applied Human Sciences

Todd Howell – CEO, Beckley ARH hospital

Rob Dudley – President & CEO, Coplin Health Systems

Michelle Rotellini – Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce

Austin Caperton – Appalachian Salmon Company

Amy Showalter – New River Gorge Regional Development Authority

Jenna Grayson – Business Consultant 

Lee Ann Belmont – Labor Relations Business Partner, American Water

Lauren Beam – Anderson Accounting

Non-Voting Members:

William E. Massey, Jr. – Founder of Active Southern West Virginia and Ex-Officio Board Member

Melanie Seiler – Executive Director Active Southern West Virginia

In cooperation with staff, board members, partners, volunteers, and participants, Active Southern West Virginia has increased access to physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle in West Virginia. Read our Success Stories here.