Dee davis, president

Dee Davis is president of the Center for Rural Strategies. Dee has helped design and lead national public information campaigns on topics as diverse as commercial television programming and federal banking policy. Dee began his media career in 1973 as a trainee at Appalshop, an arts and cultural center devoted to exploring Appalachian life and social issues in Whitesburg, Kentucky. During his tenure as Appalshop's executive producer, the organization created more than 50 public TV documentaries, established a media training program for Appalachian youth, and launched initiatives that use media as a strategic tool in organization and development. He is on the board of the Fund for Innovative Television, and Feral Arts of Brisbane, Australia. He is also a member of the Institute for Rural Journalism’s national advisory board. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute for Work and the Economy. Dee received an English degree from the University of Kentucky. He lives in Whitesburg, Kentucky.

Marty newell, Vice President of operations

Marty is the chief operating officer of the Center for Rural Strategies. Before helping start Rural Strategies, Marty served as an executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council, general manager of Austin (Texas) Community Television, development director for the Connecticut Food Bank, and as a private consultant to such organizations as the Rural School and Community Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, Appalachian Regional Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, numerous private foundations, and many nonprofit organizations. As a 17-year-old, Marty was a founding member of Appalshop, the award-winning media and cultural organization based in his hometown of Whitesburg, Kentucky. He served in a variety of production and administrative roles for nearly 20 years at Appalshop including creating the “Headwaters” television series and as general manager of WMMT-FM. Marty received his bachelor's degree in film and Appalachian studies from the Union Institute. He splits time between central Kentucky and the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. 

Tim Marema, Vice President

Tim Marema is editor emeritus of the Daily Yonder, a news platform focused exclusively on the people, places, and issues that are important to rural America. Tim is a founding staff member of the Center for Rural Strategies and served as the Daily Yonder’s editor in chief for more than a decade. He has been a speaker and panelist for events sponsored by organizations such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and the Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy. Tim started his journalism career at a weekly newspaper while a student at Berea College and holds a master’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina. He is musician and songwriter and has produced soundtracks for Rural Strategies’ East Kentucky Flood documentary and numerous shorter videos. He is married, has two adult children, and lives in Norris, Tennessee.

whitney Kimball coe, vice president of national programs

Whitney Kimball Coe is a second year Master of Divinity student at Yale Divinity School and a postulant for holy orders in the Diocese of East Tennessee. She is also Vice President of National Programs at the Center for Rural Strategies and a special advisor to the Rural Assembly, a program dedicated to building more opportunity and better policy for rural communities across the country. As an organizer, speaker, moderator, and writer, Whitney has shared her perspectives on community and civic courage with audiences around the world. She has been featured on stage at the Aspen Ideas Festival and the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit, and as a guest on the radio program On Being with Krista Tippett. She resides in New Haven with her husband, Matt Coe, and their two daughters Lucy and Susannah.

Adam B. Giorgi, chief of staff

Adam first joined the Rural Strategies team in 2018 to spearhead an expansion of the Daily Yonder and related efforts to build digital media platforms serving rural people and places. Adam received his Master in Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. While at the Kennedy school, Adam worked at the intersections of democracy and media, studying civic engagement and political communication as a student and research assistant, completing a fellowship in political reporting at NBC News, and authoring a playbook on the sustainability of local news for his master’s thesis project. Prior to graduate school, he served as Deputy Communications Director at the Minnesota Department of Administration, where he managed digital communications, government websites, and various other strategic initiatives for the state of Minnesota. Previously, he worked as a communications professional in the office of Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, for public relations firm PadillaCRT, and at the corporate headquarters of electronics retailer Best Buy. He hails from a small town on Minnesota’s “Iron Range,” a rural region in the northern part of the state.

Natrang Brooks Stanley, Deputy Vice President of Operations

Natrang Brooks Stanley is an accomplished administrative and operations leader with over 20 years of experience driving efficiency and optimizing processes across various organizations.  She plays a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day operational activities, ensuring seamless execution of business strategies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. She is adept at leading cross-functional teams, leveraging data to inform decision-making, and cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders. Prior to joining Rural Strategies, Natrang served as Director of Organizational Effectiveness at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, where her leadership resulted in significant operational enhancements and the creation of an equitable work environment. Natrang received her Bachelor of Arts in public administration from Southern University at New Orleans and Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.  She is also a board member with the Louisiana Outdoors Outreach Program (LOOP NOLA), in addition to serving as an advisory member to several other organizations. In her free time, Natrang enjoys spending time with her husband Robert and their family.

Teresa Collins, Executive Assistant and Operations Coordinator

Teresa is assistant to the President of Rural Strategies, as well as the office administrator. She also serves on the Operations Team that oversees organizational finances and personnel. When time allows, she helps produce content for the Rural Remix podcast. Teresa grew up at Carcassonne, Kentucky and now lives in Whitesburg, Kentucky with her husband. She is the mother of four and grandmother of four.

Jan Pytalski, Daily Yonder news editor

Jan Pytalski is the News Editor for the Daily Yonder, a news site published by the Center for Rural Strategies covering rural economics, politics, and culture. Jan is originally from Poland, where he started working as a reporter for the Reuters News Wire service. He’s a graduate of the University of Warsaw and University of Rochester. Prior to joining the Daily Yonder, Jan worked with 100 Days in Appalachia, covering federal policy from Washington, DC. and freelanced for Reuters’ Washington bureau, helping with coverage of the White House.

Caroline Carlson, senior Digital Editor

Caroline hails from the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin’s “Driftless” region where she grew up in a town of 4,500. Her writing about food, agriculture, and sustainable farming has appeared in publications such as Heavy Table, The Growler magazine and Organic Valley’s Rootstock blog. She’s had stints in politics, writing for Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor, in advertising, writing and strategizing for companies like General Mills and Marzetti, and was a part of The Growler’s editorial team before the magazine ceased publication in August 2020. Caroline holds a degree in English and Cello Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her work as an editor and journalist, she performs actively as a cellist.

Madeline Matson, Rural Assembly Director

Madeline Matson was raised on the Long Beach Peninsula where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, about 15 minutes from the place she now calls home. Her parents instilled in her a deep love of and responsibility towards community at a young age. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oregon in Journalism and Multimedia Studies and eventually moved back home to open a small bakery and reset her roots. In 2016 she cofounded a national organization to uplift rural millennials which was where she first connected with the Center for Rural Strategies and Rural Assembly. Since then she has spent much of her career leading and supporting small nonprofits and rural organizations. In addition to serving on a variety of boards she is also an elected Public Hospital Commissioner. She enjoys building community and seeing her two kids dig for razor clams and run on the beach. 

Taneum Fotheringill, Director of Programming & Partnerships, Rural Assembly

Taneum Fotheringill takes pride in being a connector and developing positive relationships with Rural Assembly communities across the country. Taneum is based in Washington State, where you can find her with her knitting tools or a book close by. Her work is informed by a lifelong interest in civics and the belief that everyone’s voice matters. She is also proud to be a volunteer advisor for the Washington YMCA Youth Legislature where she mentors teens from across the state to engage in democracy.

Joel Cohen, Director of multimedia

Joel leads audio and video production across the organization. This includes a weekly radio newscast, The Yonder Report, as well as the Rural Remix podcast, and other audio and video content.

He has worked with Rural Strategies since its beginning creating video and audio pieces. The work has included documentaries about the recovery of rural areas from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to a “A Place in the Country” a documentary that looks at community development organizations in rural areas across the country. Recently, the half-hour documentary “East Kentucky Flood” ran on KET and WYMT in Kentucky.

Claire Carlson, Reporter and partnerships editor

Claire reports on rural environmental issues and writes the weekly Keep it Rural newsletter and accompanying podcast. She also facilitates syndication and publishing partnerships between the Daily Yonder and other news outlets. She holds a bachelor's in International Affairs from the University of Nevada-Reno and a master's in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

Sarah Melotte, Data editor

Sarah joined the Daily Yonder in 2022 as a Rural Reporting Fellow. After finishing her master's degree in applied geography and geospatial science, she joined the full-time team as the Yonder's data journalist. Sarah produces most of our data visualizations, maps, graphics, and quantitative analyses.

Anya Petrone Slepyan, staff writer and multimedia producer

Anya began working with the Center for Rural Strategies in 2020 as a Rural Reporting Fellow. After graduating from Swarthmore College in 2022, she rejoined the team as a staff writer and multimedia producer for the Daily Yonder. Anya reports on a range of topics, from prisons to popular culture, and helps out with the Yonder Report, Rural Remix podcasts and the Good, Bad, and the Elegy newsletter. 

Anya was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is also an aspiring potter and a big fan of outer space. In addition to the Yonder, Anya's work has been published in outlets including the Marshall Project, Mountain State Spotlight, Grist, and Southerly Magazine. 

Lane Wendell Fischer, Digital Editor and Education Correspondent 

Lane Wendell Fischer was raised on his family's cattle ranch in rural Western Kansas. A recent graduate of Yale University with a focus on rural politics, Lane now serves as a digital editor and education correspondent for the Daily Yonder at the Center for Rural Strategies. In his role, he oversees the Daily Yonder's social media presence, supports the production of web and newsletter content, and writes on topics related to rural education and culture. 

Ilana Newman, Regional Correspondent

Ilana reports on rural Colorado and the Mountain West for the Daily Yonder and contributes to the Rural Strategies multimedia team. Ilana lives in Mancos, Colorado.

Christiana Wayne, assistant news editor

Christiana Wayne is the Daily Yonder’s Assistant News Editor. Born and raised in Spartanburg, SC, she has a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina and lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Julia Tilton, reporter and multimedia producer

Julia Tilton reports on climate and energy for the Daily Yonder and is a multimedia producer for the Center for Rural Strategies. Julia has previously worked on NASA’s Curious Universe podcast and her reporting has been featured in news outlets from Nashville to Mexico. Julia graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences. She grew up in southern New Hampshire and is partial to the mountains and forests of the Northeast.

Nicole Musgrave, Living Traditions Program Director

Nicole Musgrave is a folklorist, media producer, and teaching artist living in Athens County, Ohio. Before coming on as Director of Living Traditions at the Center for Rural Strategies, Nicole was the Lead Editor for Inside Appalachia’s award-winning Folkways Project. She has conducted folklife fieldwork and oral history interviews for a wide variety of organizations, including Appalshop, South Arts, and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Nicole is a quilter and painter and teaches low-to-no-cost community art classes. She is a three-time recipient of awards from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, and her artwork has been shown throughout the country. She holds her MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University.

Tracy Staley, Rural Assembly Communications and Marketing

Tracy Staley directs communication and marketing efforts for the Rural Assembly and other projects of the Center for Rural Strategies. A native of Hazard, Kentucky, Tracy now lives in Southwest Ohio. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Tracy has been published in various news outlets and magazines.

Will Wright, communications and outreach

Will Wright works on communications and outreach for the Center for Rural Strategies, with a focus on promotion and marketing for the Daily Yonder. He was born in southwestern Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Kentucky. Before joining Rural Strategies, he worked as a reporter for outlets including the Lexington Herald-Leader, the New York Times, and the Charlotte Observer. He lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Sara “smmo” Ozawa, rural assembly welcoming and immigrant inclusion fellow

Known by her initials, Smmo is a geographer who works with communities to develop strategies for achieving the future environs they dream of, in collaboration with the ecosystems of which they are a part. A pragmatic idealist, she believes that strong cultures of neighborliness are critical for achieving these dreams and is excited to document stories of welcoming through this fellowship. Her curiosity has taken her down many a dirt road, but these days you can find her mostly back in Colorado in the landscapes that raised her. She strives to be a good neighbor wherever she goes.

Phillip Norman, rural assembly welcoming And immigrant inclusion fellow

Phillip is an oral historian helping preserve the stories of everyday citizens making extraordinary contributions to U.S. culture and politics. His interest in immigration advocacy took root during his time studying at Bryn Mawr and Haverford College, where he participated in the student-organized Migrant Rights Coalition and engaged with narratives of migration in his coursework. Phillip’s oral history practice relies on the principles of relational organizing, an approach which ensures ethical rigor and creative excellence in all of his collaborations with grassroots leaders.

Olivia Weeks, contributor

Olivia is from a small town in southern Illinois. For the Daily Yonder, she's written the weekly Q&A newsletter Path Finders since 2021. She also hosts and produces audio projects for the Rural Remix podcast feed, and contributes occasional reported pieces in the Daily Yonder.  

She is pursuing a PhD at Yale University, where she studies rural American industrial history. 

Susannah Broun, Multimedia producer

Susannah Broun is a multimedia producer for the Center for Rural Strategies. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she is currently based in Amsterdam, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Television and Cross-Media Culture. Before her time with Rural Strategies, Susannah worked in podcasting and video production at NPR, WHYY, and City Cast. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 2022 with a degree in History along with Film & Media Studies and Environmental Studies. Susannah produces, edits, and occasionally hosts audio content for the Rural Remix podcast feed.