Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore stories of leadership, resilience, and purpose in action. I’m your host, Dr. Michelle Foster, and in this episode of our special series, Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty, we’re sitting down with a woman whose leadership has shaped the future of education and workforce development across West Virginia — Dr. Amelia Courts, President and CEO of The Education Alliance. For more than a decade, Dr. Courts has led The Education Alliance in mobilizing business and community partnerships to ensure West Virginia students are equipped for success. From launching the statewide STEM Council and WV Ready internships to securing a $4.7 million Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE grant that’s transforming career pathways in healthcare and manufacturing, her leadership exemplifies innovation with impact. In our conversation, Amelia shares how she’s navigated moments of uncertainty — including funding challenges and shifting education priorities — while holding true to her mission of investing in the state’s most valuable resource: its students. We talk about the principles that guided her through tough decisions, how she supported her team and community, and what she’s learned about leading with vision, faith, and balance. Dr. Courts also reflects on what holding the mission together really means to her — and offers words of wisdom for other nonprofit leaders who are charting their path through change. So, settle in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Dr. Amelia Courts — a dynamic leader, educator, and advocate for West Virginia’s next generation.