Angela S. Jones

It was instilled in me at a very young age. My parents, like all parents, want their children to do better than they did and want to see them have a higher level of success. Going to college was never an option, it was a given, it was happening. My parents did a wonderful job of pushing me to pursue education. Neither of my parents went to college - my mom has since gone back as a full-time mom and working full-time and got her college degree. They encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to do whatever it was that made me happy, and championed whatever it was. I thought I was gonna be a lawyer, and that didn't work out, and then I was going into the newspaper business, which they were a little unsure of. When I transitioned into this job, my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders, my strongest foundation of support. I attribute it to them - they wanted more for me, and I think together we have succeeded in making that happen.

One of the women I interviewed as part of working with an executive coach said, you know, trust in the fact that you were invited to the table for a reason. Know and take comfort in the fact that the people who put you there saw something in you that made them believe that you deserved to be there, and they needed you to be there. That has been incredibly helpful to me to be more confident in my skills and my background and my training and what I bring to the organization. To say, yeah, you know, you're right. I have earned this position at the table. I do have something to offer, and I'm not gonna make myself small because I feel inadequate or like I don't belong. Like, I do belong here, and I'm gonna own it.

I think there's two key things. The first thing is that Plan B, C, D, all the way through Z doesn't mean that Plan A failed or was a failure. I think it is dangerous to think that when you graduate from high school at 18 that you are going to have completely figured out everything that you're going to do for the rest of your life. Because until you're out in the world, experiencing it, being an adult, and really discovering who you are, it's all part of personal growth and development, and you can't discount that process or feel like a failure because what you thought you were going to do ended up not being your true calling in life. I often quote the Beatles, specifically John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. And it's okay for that to happen. Like, you're not a failure, you didn't screw it up, you're not a disappointment. You're finding yourself. If you don't love what you do, then you're not in the right field. And trial and error, and practice makes perfect. It may take a few tries to find your passion and your calling, but stick it out, you will find it, and that happiness is out there and can be found. The second thing is imposter syndrome is very real. I personally struggled with it when I became an AVP. One person said the feeling of imposter syndrome is being humble enough to know that you're not the smartest person at the table, you don't know everything, but you're willing to learn from your colleagues and your superiors.

One of the biggest challenges—and greatest opportunities—in my field right now is serving a largely underserved, economically disadvantaged population in West Virginia. This reality requires innovative thinking, resourcefulness, and a deep commitment to addressing health disparities. At the same time, it presents a meaningful opportunity to create lasting impact by improving access, education, and outcomes within communities that need it most.

Additionally, I recognize that the shift from traditional journalism to marketing and public relations reflects broader changes across the industry. Rather than viewing this evolution as a limitation, I see it as an opportunity to expand my skill set, adapt to emerging platforms, and pursue new career pathways that align with the changing media landscape.

The values most important to me are helping others and staying mission-driven in everything I do. I’m deeply committed to service and to making a meaningful difference, especially through education and empowering others with knowledge.

I also value strong family support and loyalty. My family is my foundation, and I carry those principles of commitment, integrity, and standing by others into both my personal and professional life.