I learned so much about the real estate world, but also about how important the connections you make with people are. My boss and the other people I worked with were amazing and gave me so many opportunities to learn, and taught me how rewarding hard work can be if I'm doing something I feel is meaningful.

Invest Appalachia deploys capital through grants and loans to Central Appalachian communities, particularly with an eye to creative placemaking, community health, sustainable energy, and food and agriculture. They ask which levers in the economic system they can pull (with money and resources) once to empower long under-served communities in perpetuity.

This summer’s tragic flood disasters, which devastated several vulnerable communities in Southwest Virginia, powerfully and soberingly reminded me of the public service imperative to account for and act upon the current and future needs of under-resourced localities.

A prosperous path forward for rural Virginia and Appalachia depends on solutions that smooth the path from farm to fork, and accessible agricultural supports that consider the limitations of the small farm and the life of the farmer with sustained environmental concern.

I first became interested in the idea of social innovation as a Fellow in the Virginia Management Fellowship Program, which works in conjunction with the Governor's Office. During a rotational assignment with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), I had the pleasure of working with the Youth Conservation Corps Program (YCC), an environmental stewardship program for teenagers. I experienced, firsthand, the profound impact of Virginia’s southwest outdoors on the participants.

Alongside creating an outline and drafting certain sections, I participated in the planning of listening sessions and townhall workshops to hear directly from the community about their comments, concerns, and questions around climate action and sustainable development.

By looking at each organization’s financial reports and products summary, I gained a much deeper understanding of how CDFIs function and how they contribute to improving the lives of people in the Appalachian region.

Looking back, I’m not even sure how I first got involved with the social entrepreneurship department at UVA, but it has been one of the most exciting and engaging experiences of my undergraduate career.

I am incredibly grateful to have worked for a company whose commitment to their values is reflected throughout every decision and action.

My experience working at Hava and listening to the experiences of my cohort at their respective internships has affirmed my desire to pursue a career that allows me to use my skills to benefit people around me.

Ultimately, through my internship with Partner Community Capital, I was able to gain skills in Excel, learn about the carbon accounting sphere, and work with some very interesting and intelligent people. I am very grateful for all involved in this process and would recommend this experience to anyone interested in social entrepreneurship.

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Tadler Fellow this summer. I have learned so much about impact investing, community development, and myself.

It was enlightening to shadow such experienced professionals and to learn about what their work is like on a day-to-day basis.

Overall, I loved my experience with Appalachian Voices and encourage everyone to check out and support the great work the organization is doing. Through the job, I learned so much about grassroots environmental organizing, community-based development, and creative financing.

My summer as a Tadler fellow provided me with fascinating new opportunities, helped me sharpen my business skills, and connected me with a fantastic new network of hardworking and interesting individuals, both at Appalachian Sustainable Development and within the Fellowship itself.

Having finished my internship, I now have a greater understanding of the local farming industry in central Appalachia and how non-profits operate within the landscape.

With its blend of human aid and interaction with technology, Personalized Learning2 was the perfect place for me to spend my summer. I felt content and supported, in no small part due to the Royster Lawton Fellowship. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough, and would encourage anyone interested in looking for solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues to apply.

While I still aim to become a physician, my long term goal is to become a changemaker who uses entrepreneurial thinking to affect significant global health issues. As a Social Entrepreneurship minor, I am able to take unique classes that improve the way I find solutions to the issues I am passionate about. This summer, I saw first-hand how impactful and rewarding working in this field can truly be.

Summer 2021 Tadler fellow May Gong strives to empower underdeveloped communities with innovative solutions and wants to work on mobilizing financial resources to support sustainable social missions. This summer she is interning at LOCUS Impact Investing where she hopes to make an impact in local community investments in the Appalachia region.

Rising 3rd year Lauren Coppins is spending her summer interning with Invest Appalachia as a member of the 2021 Tadler Fellowship program.