WV Living Magazine names Deputy Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and Executive Director of West Virginia Hive’s Judy Moore a 2024 ‘Wonder Woman.’
The honor is for extraordinary women making significant contributions to their community.
“I’m honestly quite humbled and taken aback because when you look at the history of this significant presentation that started in 2014, there are some really amazing women in this lineup,” Moore said. “And so it is a big deal for me.”
Her ‘Wonder Woman’ nomination was anonymous, which she calls a little more special that the person is quietly honoring the work she’s done and contributions she’s made, but she says it’s not been accomplished alone.
“It has taken a lot of individuals that have actually put into the work that’s being honored through this award,” said Moore. “I am merely the recipient.”
When she first stepped into the role of executive director of West Virginia Hive Moore didn’t know how deeply she was going to fall in love with the work.
“I’ve been either honeyed or stung because it is very deep within me, this work. I just have a real passion for it,” the executive director said. “I realized that all of my career basically was a culmination of experience that I needed to go into this that has allowed me now to better support the entrepreneurs of Southern West Virginia.”
According to Moore, Hive has worked with nearly 600 businesses and another 1200 to 1500 aspiring entrepreneurs. She calls the work they do truly transformative.
“They have to have a real level of trust when they come to us,” she said through the years they have wonderful success stories. “The businesses are now seeing those success stories.”
Right now there’s not a cost for hive services. They are primarily federally funded because the federal government believes in the support needed for small businesses. Moore says to give them a try. What obstacles do you have? Hive will start working on helping you break down those obstacles.
“Being an entrepreneur or a small business owner is extremely lonely if you put yourself in that lonely place. You don’t have to do that,” said the executive director. “And with the West Virginia hive, you actually will have a team that will walk alongside you.”
As for being named a 2024 West Virginia ‘Wonder Woman‘…
“Whoever that anonymous person is, I just want to say thank you so much,” Moore said.
