About Reimagine Appalachia

Amanda Woodrum is our founding Co-Executive Director for ReImagine Appalachia. She spent her career focusing on issues found at the intersection of energy, equity, and the economy and working to find common ground among diverse stakeholder groups to promote a more sustainable, equitable economy (from organized labor to faith, environmental and racial justice groups). After living in New York City and experiencing 9/11, she returned to Ohio determined to make the state and region the kind of place she wanted to live. Prior to launching the coalition to ReImagine Appalachia, she conducted participatory action research at Policy Matters Ohio, staffed the Ohio Apollo Alliance, led a statewide transit coalition, and co-led the Health Equity Network of Ohio. She received both a master’s degree in economics and a law degree from the University of Akron.
Email: [email protected]

Stephen Herzenberg is an Economist (and Executive Director emeritus) at the Keystone Research Center, where he has worked since December 1995, and Co-Director of ReImagine Appalachia. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from MIT. Before KRC, Steve worked at the US Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) and served as Assistant to the Chief US Negotiator of the labor side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement. He has published on a wide array of industries and economic and policy issues, including manufacturing, construction, workforce development including apprenticeship, economic development, and the potential for labor unions to grow via sectoral organizing and bargaining within non-mobile, most service industries that now account for well over half of all employment (a key part of the third “bucket” of the ReImagine Appalachia blueprint).Steve’s non-KRC writings include chapters the books Governing for Sustainability (2024), Many Futures of Work (2021), Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization (2019) and Organized Labour in the 21st Century (ILO, 2002); New Rules for a New Economy (Cornell/ILO Press, 1998); U.S.- Mexico Trade: Pulling Together or Pulling Apart? (Office of Technology Assessment 1992).
Email: [email protected]

Dana Kuhnline is the Director of Programs for ReImagine Appalachia. She has two decades of experience working alongside a diverse array of groups across the Central Appalachian region to facilitate creative solutions to long standing regional problems, including reclaiming mine lands, supporting miners with black lung and finding solutions to our climate crisis that both bolster labor and workers in the region while supporting economic diversification. Her professional passions include facilitation, communications, campaign planning and project management. Her personal hobbies include gardening, fiber arts, old homes, and good jokes.
Email: [email protected]

Molly Updegrove is the Director of Operations & Deputy Director of Programs for ReImagine Appalachia. Molly has a Master's in Social Work with a concentration in Community Organization and Social Action. Molly brings years of experience in organizing, event-planning, coordination, outreach, grant-writing, and implementing public policy plans. She is the co-chair of the Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners Committee at Appalachian Studies Association, board member of Birding CoOp, volunteer at the local animal shelter, and a member of both the Tucson New Horizons Concert Band and Life Moves Dance Company. In her spare time, Molly enjoys being outdoors - backpacking, hiking, and especially birding! 🐦 Molly also enjoys riding roller-coasters, dancing, and travelling.
Email: [email protected]

Liam is a multimedia specialist who focuses on communications strategy, and specializes in graphic design, motion graphics, and video content. Having earned degrees in both business and animation, he is passionate about making important issues accessible and engaging with compelling visual and written media. Liam works within ReImagine Appalachia as well as with outside partners to help tell the stories of hope within the Appalachian region that spotlight inspiring stories of economic and community transformation.
Email: [email protected]

Rike Rothenstein is a Senior Research Associate with ReImagine Appalachia and took on the role of research coordinator at the beginning of 2025. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati, and in her previous research, analyzed the public’s perception of national environmental organizations and how public opinion affects the groups’ electoral political power. After teaching for several years, Rike is happy to return to her roots as a researcher with ReImagine Appalachia. She developed a federal funding dataset for ReImagine and writes about the impact of federal (dis)investment in Appalachia. Another research focus is on economic development in the region, in particular the redevelopment of shuttered coal power plants into modern manufacturing hubs. Rike lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family.
Email: [email protected]

Wendy Patton served as the Director of the Columbus Program in State Issues and instructor in public administration for Kent State University; Senior Project Manager (tax and budget) for Policy Matters Ohio; Executive Assistant for Economic Development for the office of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland; Vice President for Industrial Development at the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation; Deputy director in Business Development for the Ohio Department of Development, Economic Policy Analyst for AFSCME international, Program Coordinator for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center, Real Estate Coordinator for The Ohio State University. Her bachelor's degree is from Kent State University and her master's degree in City and Regional Planning is from the University of California at Berkeley; Publication list is mostly available through Policy Matters Ohio website; in addition, she has published articles in Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Economic Development Quarterly, Journal of Black Political Science, Built Environment, and other venues.
Email: [email protected]

Bikash is a sustainable manufacturing researcher for ReImagine Appalachia. He has worked on and assisted with several research projects, including a storymap on assessing North Central Appalachia’s historical manufacturing strength and building a dashboard to visualize retired coal plants in the RA’s four-state footprint. He is interested in economic geography, data science, and data visualization. In his spare time, he likes to nerd on data and economics via online courses. Bikash has a master’s degree in public policy and data science from Carnegie Mellon University.

Outside of work, he holds a passion for running and cooking, and he enjoys throwing food parties for his friends. Bikash is learning Spanish via Duolingo (Streak 400, **humblebrag**) and can stitch a sentence or two together in the language. Bikash originally hails from Nepal and has written about the socio-economic-political situation there.

He loves writing, and he is working on a personal book project on the Nepalese out-migration.

Email: [email protected]

Kate Rudek graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in English and Spanish. She has many different interests and loves discovering new hobbies, but she is especially passionate about storytelling and exploring new perspectives on the world through reading and writing. Kate has helped guide ReImagine Appalachia's research priorities, including papers on industrial hemp, bioplastics, and eco-industrial parks and coordinating over a dozen listening sessions, virtual conferences and other opportunities for groups across the region to engage in shaping a more sustainable future for Appalachia. Kate is excited to continue to spread awareness about the opportunities available across the region alongside the rest of the Reimagine Appalachia team!
Email: [email protected]

Blaise Reader III is the Arts & Culture Associate with ReImagine Appalachia. They are a recent English graduate of the Ohio State University with a specialization in Folklore, also holding minors in Studio Art and Folklore. Blaise is specifically interested in the field of Appalachian Studies and aims to attend a graduate school program in Anthropology, English, or Folklore to research such after a couple gap years. To prepare and begin to investigate, they successfully defended their senior thesis research project on local history museums and their practices with the Tablertown People of Color Museum in Athens County, OH.

Blaise’s paramount interest is in the service and study of the Appalachian region though, having grown up in Southern Ohio and not understood the region’s influence on their identity until going to university. After having recently worked on a field school research project in Athens County, Ohio with tOSU’s Center for Folklore Studies, they became further inspired to seek out opportunities for work in the region and found ReImagineAppalachia’s positions. In their free time, Blaise loves to read, cook and hike with their partner, and play guitar/bass/banjo. They are based in Columbus, Ohio but often take trips back home to Pike County to see family and play music with their band.
Email: [email protected]

Bay Epperly is the Sustainable Manufacturing Coordinator at ReImagine Appalachia. Her work is rooted in years of experience leading place-based circular economic strategy and initiatives. Bay has expertise in community organizing, program design, grant writing, workforce development, and project management. She facilitates stakeholders across Appalachia to collaborate, strategize, and share resources that strengthen regional circular economic systems. Bay is passionate about co-creating opportunities in Appalachia that are rooted in sustainability and creativity, with those most impacted by extractive economies leading the transition to a more just future. Based in Huntington, West Virginia, she enjoys event hosting and DJing, gardening, traveling, exploring art practices, and supporting local communities.
Email: [email protected]

I am honored to be part of ReImagine Appalachia, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for our region. As a proud Jemez Pueblo & Winnebago (Hochunk) Bear Clan, living in Ohio, my heritage and community are at the heart of my commitment to environmental justice and economic revitalization.

With extensive experience in design, I bring a creative and strategic approach to digital communication, ensuring that our message reaches and resonates with our diverse audience. My professional journey has been marked by a passion for crafting compelling narratives that inspire action and engagement.

At ReImagine Appalachia, I work alongside a team of dedicated individuals to promote policies and projects that create good jobs, restore our environment, and ensure that everyone in our community has a voice in shaping our future. Together, we are working towards a vision of Appalachia that honors its rich cultural heritage while embracing sustainable development.

Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in ReImagine Appalachia. Let's build a better future together.

Jeffrey S. Allen is a United Methodist pastor currently appointed to the West Virginia Council of Churches as the Executive Director. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from West Virginia University and a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University. He previously served as Project Director for the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition, as the Community and Families Development Director at Community Development Outreach Ministries (CDOM) for thirteen years, and has also served as pastor at the Keystone and Northfork United Methodist Churches in McDowell County, West Virginia, and the College Hill United Methodist Church in Waco, Kentucky. He is married to Laura Harbert. They have a redbone hound/lab mix named Rosa and three cats: Little Cat, Samantha, and Thomas.

Jessica Arriens is the Senior Program Manager for Climate & Energy Policy at the National Wildlife Federation, where she works to develop and advance policies that curb emissions, protect people and wildlife, and promote equitable climate solutions for frontline and fossil-fuel dependent communities in the U.S. She previously worked for the World Resources Institute on a landmark international climate adaptation commission. Jessica has a background in science outreach, research, and communication, including stints as a New Hampshire newspaper reporter and secondary school teacher in West Africa. She has a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, and a Master's in Biology from UCLA. She is based in Washington, DC.

Joanne Kilgour, Esq., Executive Director of the Ohio River Valley Institute, is a Pennsylvania-based environmental lawyer and nonprofit professional with a passion for justice and democracy. Prior to joining the Ohio River Valley Institute, Joanne served as the Director of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter and as the first Legal Director at the Center for Coalfield Justice. Joanne received her undergraduate education at Carnegie Mellon University, where she served as a Fellow in Local Democracy, and she earned her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she was awarded a Certificate in Environmental, Law, Science, and Policy and received the Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service.

Rebecca Kiernan is Director of Collaborative Funding at the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT), focusing on scaling and financing municipal projects across multiple local governments in Allegheny County, PA. Rebecca previously oversaw the City of Pittsburgh's Sustainability and Resilience Division as Assistant Director of City Planning, building resilience to city-wide shocks and stresses and implementing the Climate Action Plan and Resilience Strategy. Rebecca has extensive experience in local government, worked in coastal livelihoods restoration in Indonesia, and has background in teaching and facilitation. She holds a B.A. from SUNY Geneseo and an M.S. in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. Rebecca lives in Williamsburg, PA with her husband, a growing menagerie of pets and a burgeoning list of forest farming projects.

Bishop Marcia Dinkins is a transformative leader and advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and health equity. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and Black Women for Change. Through BLAC, she emphasizes storytelling advocacy and building collective and narrative power to empower Black communities in Appalachia, center their voices and lived experiences.

Her work with Black Women for Change focuses on addressing health inequities faced by Black women and their families. With a Doctorate of Ministry and nearing the completion of her PhD in Leadership and Sustainability, Bishop Dinkins combines extensive knowledge and practical experience to foster community resilience and healing from trauma, helping movement and community leaders find pathways to empowerment and building a more equitable future for all.

James Kunz III is a 5th generation building trades union member and a 3rd generation Operating Engineer. He is a graduate of the IUOE Local 66 Joint Apprenticeship program. Before working for the PA Foundation for Fair Contracting, he spent 8 years in the field as an Operating Engineers, working on various projects from roads and bridges to dry fuel storage at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station. James was one of the first two employees hired by the PA FFC in 2016. He was appointed Administrator by the board in 2017. He has authored numerous underpayment complaints that have led to the recovery of back wages for thousands of workers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has been a presenter at numerous conferences on topics relating to contract compliance, most recently focusing on criminal enforcement of wage theft in public and private construction.

Joanne Martin is the Executive Director of Reimagine Beaver County, a grassroots initiative that is working to catalyze the growth of a healthy, innovative and green economic development path in SW PA and the surrounding region. Joanne’s early career as a commercial banker and cofounder/President of an international metals company was inconsistent with sustainable and regenerative systems. The lessons learned from these experiences motivated her to focus on mobilizing a paradigm shift that lifts up environmental, economic and social justice issues. Home life in rural Beaver County, PA revolves around dogs, donkeys, and the wildlife.

Annie currently serves as the Campaign Director at PennFuture, where she has worked since 2015 as the state lead for the Climate Action Campaign, a coalition of national climate, conservation, and progressive groups working to protect clean air and promote action to limit climate change.

Prior to joining PennFuture, Annie was a policy intern for American Forests and the environmental legislative intern for the office of Senator Robert Casey, Jr. She earned an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree fromAmerican University, majoring in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government. Annie, a Pittsburgh native, enjoys hiking, reading, sewing and embroidery in her spare time.

Carlos Claussell is a climate change and environmental professional with 13 years of experience working with community-based organizations, non-profits, government and philanthropic entities committed to advancing climate justice and equity strategies at the local, state and national level. Carlos leads the Climate, Community Benefits and Social Impact strategy for the World Wildlife Fund, focusing on aligning climate action at the subnational and national level with benefits for local and disadvantaged communities. In this role, Carlos launched the first climate justice partnership for America Is All In, the largest US climate coalition co-founded by WWF with over 5,000 members. He also created the first community benefits strategy for the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), the only global buyer-led coalition of 130 organizations advancing industrial thermal decarbonization by deploying renewable solutions. Carlos also serves as Board Chair for PennFuture, Pennsylvania’s environmental watchdog, and is a Board Member for the Center for Progressive Reform, a legal scholars-led national nonprofit working to harness the power of law and public policy to create a responsive government. Carlos is the former Vice-Chair of the City of Philadelphia’s Environmental Justice Advisory Commission, a 2022 Climate Justice Design Fellow from Harvard University, 2022 Clean Energy Leadership Institute fellow and a 2020 Environmental Leadership Program Senior Fellow. Previous roles include Senior Program Officer for the Institute for Sustainable Communities, Urban Conservation Manager for The Nature Conservancy’s Cities Network in Philadelphia, and Urbanism & Infrastructure Project Manager for the Caño Martin Peña ENLACE Project Corporation in San Juan, Puerto Rico, winner of the 2023 Inaugural Global Impact Award from American Society of Landscape Architects & International Federation of Landscape Architects, and United Nations 2016 World Habitat Award.

Tracy Sabetta is a founding partner of Initiative Consulting, a government affairs and public relations firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Sabetta has nearly 30 years of experience working in government, politics, and communications in Ohio, with a current focus on health care, environmental and energy policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Prior to starting Initiative Consulting in 2008, she served as the Vice President of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society, where she was the campaign co-chair and media spokesperson for the successful Smoke Free Ohio statewide ballot initiative campaign that made all workplaces in Ohio smoke-free. Tracy has also served as a legislative and policy staff member in both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and has worked as a campaign manager and staff on US Senate, Ohio gubernatorial, legislative, and issue campaigns across the state. Tracy is a native of Ashtabula, Ohio and a graduate of Miami University in Oxford.

Mark R. Shanahan provides strategic guidance on clean energy technology policy and deployment through New Morning Energy LLC. As Governor Ted Strickland’s Energy Advisor, he played a key role in designing, negotiating and implementing SB221 that created Ohio’s first advanced energy and efficiency portfolio standards. During his tenure serving six Governors as Executive Director, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority issued $5.8 billion in bonds, supporting investments in air pollution control and prevention, energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. He is currently on the boards of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund and Clean Fuels Ohio. After getting his undergraduate degree from Boston College, Shanahan received his MA from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Justin is a lifelong West Virginian, currently serving as the Director of the Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT). My work centers on advocating for the skilled construction workforce through policy, education, and strategic partnerships; focused on supporting local unions, ensuring fair wages and benefits, promoting jobsite safety, and protecting public investments. Throughout my life I have worked in different aspects of law, policy, and politics. I earned my J.D., M.P.A., and B.A. in Political Science from West Virginia University. I was honored by The State Journal’s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 in 2023. I live in Charleston with my wife, Briana Warner, and our two daughters. I’m a dad, a union advocate, a Mountaineer fan, and a firm believer in building stronger communities.