A national partner for rural communities
WHO WE ARE30+ years of rural impact
Partners for Rural Impact was founded on a simple but powerful belief: where you grow up should not determine where you end up. What began in a single school district in Appalachian Kentucky grew to expand college access across the region and evolved into a place-based partnership advancing economic mobility. Today, Partners for Rural Impact brings more than 30 years of experience supporting rural communities across the country.
We bring rural leaders, allies, and partners together to share knowledge and strengthen local capabilities. By advancing opportunity, amplifying rural brilliance, and activating investments, we help communities create lasting change that puts young people on a clear path to economic mobility.
Our movement succeeds when all 14 million rural young people across America thrive.
LEADERSHIPMeet our leadership
Dreama Gentry
CEO / President
Jane Hodgdon
Executive Vice President
Penny Jordan
Executive Vice President
GOVERNANCEBoard of directors
Danny Murphy
Board Chair
Vice President & Personal Trust Officer, Central Bank & Trust Co.
Jennifer Blatz
President and CEO
StriveTogether
Joshua Frazier-Sparks
Divisional People Partner, Supply Chain
Walmart
Derrick Singleton
Vice President of Operations and Sustainability
Berea College
OUR TEAMVice president team
Renee Hargrove
Senior Vice President
Brooke Bohnet
Vice President
Amon Couch
Senior Advisor
Shane Garver
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Stephen Kostyo
Vice President
Sherry Horner
Vice President
John Nisbet
Vice President of Finance
Celesta J. Riffe
Vice President of Federal Programs
Johna Rodgers
Vice President of Funding Infrastructure
How we work across rural America
Where We Work
We work nationwide across rural America, partnering with communities wherever the need exists.
Learn MoreWhat We Do
We advance opportunity, amplify rural brilliance, and activate investments that strengthen rural communities — building from our place-based work in Appalachian Kentucky to a national movement.
Learn MoreOur Impact
We are helping put all 14 million rural young people across America on a path to economic mobility.
Learn More
Become part of the movement
From rural leaders to public, private, and community partners, our movement grows through connection. If you're ready to partner or want to learn more about Partners for Rural Impact's work across rural America, let's get connected.