“As a coal miner’s granddaughter, this work is close to my heart.”

As the Development Manager at the Just Transition Fund, Rhea plays a pivotal role in supporting fundraising strategy, ensuring that JTF continues to secure the resources necessary to advance our mission of accelerating economic resilience in coal communities. Her experience and strategic thinking contribute to the efficacy of JTF’s fundraising efforts, from identifying funding opportunities to crafting compelling proposals that resonate with donors and partners.

For Rhea, this work is deeply personal. 

Originally from Knox County, Kentucky, she is a systems-level thinker with a deep passion for giving back to the community that raised her. She is a multigenerational Appalachian and granddaughter of a coal miner, and her roots are central to her work. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the importance of fostering economic opportunity and resilience in historically underserved communities.

She graduated cum laude from Berea College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and double minors in Appalachian Studies and Peace and Social Justice Studies. She has also earned certificates in Successful Grant Writing from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and Results Based Accountability from Clear Impact. 

Rhea’s passion for supporting Appalachian communities led her to serve as an AmeriCorps fellow at Partners for Rural Impact, where she worked closely with residents of southeastern Kentucky’s Promise Zone to promote digital equity, expand postsecondary access, and support youth development initiatives. She helped secure $2.5 million in funding for Kentucky-based organizations. Before joining the JTF, Rhea worked as the Grant Writing and Fundraising Specialist at Legal Aid of the Bluegrass. 

In 2023, Rhea was recognized as an Obama USA Leader, where she completed a 6-month hybrid leadership program and connected with 99 other leaders from across the nation. 

Rhea resides in Kentucky, where she enjoys cooking, reading, listening to music, and spending her time with her partner, Micah, and their cat, Stella.

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