Whitney Kimball Coe is the vice president of National Programs at the Center for Rural Strategies. In that role, she leads the Rural Assembly, a nationwide movement striving to build better policy and more opportunity 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.
Taneum Fotheringill (she/her) takes pride in being a connector and developing positive relationships with the Rural Assembly communities across the country. Taneum is based in Washington State, where you can find her with her knitting 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.
Tracy Staley directs communication and marketing efforts for the Rural Assembly.
Joel Cohen has earned numerous awards and critical acclaim over his almost 30 years as a video producer/director/editor. His national public television experience started with a three-year run of The 90’s, a magazine style show featuring the work of independent producers from around the world. He was also the co-creator and formally the co-executive producer of the five-time Midwest Emmy-award–winning series Check, Please!, a Chicago restaurant-review series featuring “citizen-reviewers”. Check, Please! has also been produced in other cities including, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Miami, Phoenix on their local PBS station.
He has collaborated on numerous video projects with the Center for Rural Strategies across rural America, including a documentary about the recovery of rural Louisiana and Mississippi after hurricanes Rita and Katrina. With Rural Strategies he has also done video work for the Kellogg Foundation, Duke Endowment, National Rural Assembly, Rural LISC, NeighborWorks, Oprah’s Angel Network, Housing Assistance Council, and many local organizations.
Quintissa Peake is a 2023-2024 Fellow at the Rural Assembly. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Appalshop and the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors. She enjoys traveling and staying active in her roles as a proud, fun-loving aunt and godmother.
Deputy Director
Associate Director of Community
Rural Assembly Fellow
Director of Multimedia
The Rural Assembly
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