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About Us

Staff

Management Team

Invest Appalachia maintains a collaborative organizational model, pairing a lean staffing structure with the existing individual and organizational capacities of the region. IA staff are residents and natives of Central Appalachia, the children of farmers, carpenters, and small business owners. They have the lived experience of growing up and building community in rural Appalachia, and each intentionally chose to return to their home region to focus their careers on helping Appalachia achieve its potential for a brighter future.

Makala Gray

she/her

Charlottesville, Virginia

Intake Specialist - Tadler Graduate Fellow in Impact Investing

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Makala joins IA for the 2024-2025 academic year as a Tadler Graduate Fellow in Impact Investing from the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. This fellowship supports students working with rural community leaders to revitalize local economies in Appalachia, with a focus on impact investing
Baylen Campbell

Baylen Campbell

he/him

Hazard, KY

Director of Community Impact

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Baylen Campbell (he/him/his) is Invest Appalachia’s Director of Programs & Partnerships. Originally from and based in Hazard, Kentucky Baylen brings experience working as an economic development and social impact practitioner. In partnership with the Community Advisory Council Baylen leads IA’s Catalytic Capital development, deployment, and community accountability. Additionally, he
Mae Humiston, Director of Grants and Operations, she/her

Mae Humiston

she/her

Hazard, KY

Director of Grants and Operations

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Mae Humiston comes to IA with extensive experience in organizational development, data management, strategic planning, and grants management in Appalachia. Previously, Mae ran the Nonprofit Support Services program at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, providing practitioners in Eastern Kentucky with critical strategic planning and grant writing capacity. She was
Andrew Crosson, CEO

Andrew Crosson

he/him

Asheville, NC

Chief Executive Officer

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As Invest Appalachia’s founding CEO, Andrew (he/him/his) is responsible for overall strategy and impact. Andrew has been integral to the planning and design of IA since its inception. Previously, Andrew worked for 9 years with Rural Support Partners to advance community economic development in Appalachia, leading major initiatives related to

Contractors and Consultants

Organizational Communications Strategy and Management – Emma Pepper (Peppermill Strategies), WV

Clean Energy Pipeline Coordinator – Autumn Long (Appalachian Solar Finance Fund), WV

Research Fellow, Climate Adaptation – Nicholas Shanahan (NC Institute of Climate Studies), NC

“Investment Framer Training” Lead Instructor – Paul Wright (Wright Venture Services), KY

Finance and Administrative Management – Kathy Graham and Ashley Cloutier (KG Bookkeeping), NC

Strategy, Facilitation, and Logistical Support – Rural Support Partners, NC

Have an idea for a project?

Are you a prospective borrower? Are you a lender or financial intermediary looking for co-investment, loan participations, or capital for re-lending? We want to hear about your ideas to build inclusive wealth in Central Appalachia.

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Made with ❤ in WV by Hersick + Webster

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Invest Appalachia’s staff and operations have been directly impacted by Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Thanks for your understanding with any delays in normal communications.

We are headquartered in Western NC, and involved in local recovery efforts as well as investment strategies to rebuild for long-term resilience and equity. Any financial contributions to Invest Appalachia will go directly to recovery and rebuilding efforts in impacted communities. 

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