Brandon Dennison

Coalfield Development

Brandon is Ashley Dennison's husband and father to their boys: Owen and Will. He is Founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, which incubates social enterprises designed to diversify Appalachia's coal-based economy and cultivate opportunity for people facing barriers to employment. Dennison holds a B.A. in History from Shepherd University. He has a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University. He is winner of the JMK Social Innovation Prize, is a DRK Entrepreneur, and an Ashoka Fellow. He currently serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at Marshall University. In 2010, Brandon founded Coalfield Development to respond to poverty in Appalachia through on-the-job-training, higher education, and mentorship. Coalfield Development has created more than 300 new jobs, started over 50 new businesses, and trained more than 1,300 people. It has leveraged more than $30 million in new investment to Appalachian communities. The organization’s story is featured in a film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival: “From the Ashes.” Learn more at: https://coalfield-development.org

To Learn about Brandon's Thought Leadership Project  visit the podcast below.

A Learning Podcast and Journey ~

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-in-the-coalfields-a-podcast-by/id1527422635