Women Warriors Summit - Alys Smith

Note: In Your Business is now What’s Next?

We’ve refreshed the name, but the conversations you love are still here. These bonus episodes were originally released under In Your Business and remain part of our archive. 

In this episode of In Your Business, we sit down with Alys Smith, the First Lady of Marshall University and founder of the Women Warriors Summit. This annual one-day gathering aims to inspire, build, and celebrate the women of Appalachia by addressing the complex issues and opportunities they face both at work and at home. Now in its second year, the Summit continues to grow, featuring high-profile speakers like Trisha Yearwood, Soledad O'Brien, and Emily Gregory.
 
Alys shares the inspiration behind the Summit, her goals, the importance of sponsors in making the event possible, and the carefully crafted structure that includes educational training, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. 

Creators and Guests

Host

Reeves Kirtner

Reeves Kirtner is a proud native of Huntington, West Virginia, where he continues to call home. He serves as the vice president and co-owner of Kindred Communications, a dynamic multimedia company boasting six radio stations, nine signals, and a diverse range of services including digital marketing, event coordination, and print publishing. Reeves enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a deep love for music. He's often found enjoying live shows, especially those involving Oasis, the Grateful Dead and Blink 182. Beyond his professional endeavors, Reeves is blessed to share his journey with his wife, Bethany, and three incredible children. A 2004 graduate of Marshall University, Huntington has shaped Reeves in more ways than he can count. He takes great pride in contributing to his community through his work at Kindred Communications and in his personal life. Reeves volunteers on the boards of the Cabell County Schools Foundation, the Marshall University Alumni Association, the Marshall Quarterback Club, and the West Virginia Broadcasters Association. Guided by the values of family, a deep-seated love for music, and a commitment to forging meaningful connections, Reeves approaches each day with purpose and dedication.

What is What's Next??

What’s Next? is a podcast from Kindred Communications where host Reeves Kirtner sits down with the people making things happen in our region—in business, events, and in the community. There are so many positive things happening right now, and this show is about the people behind it: their stories, the lessons they’ve learned, and where they’re headed next.

Each episode features real, unscripted conversations with business owners, festival organizers, community leaders, and others. We dig into how they got started, the challenges they’ve faced, and what it really takes to build something that lasts