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More than 740,000 small businesses operate across Appalachia, yet only 17% ever receive external consulting support. Behind each of those businesses are families, jobs, and entire communities whose futures depend on sustainable growth.
Appalachia Advisory was founded to close that gap: one client, one town at a time. Check out our website.
We are a chartered nonprofit in the State of Tennessee that connects high-performing students and young professionals with small business owners across the Appalachian region, delivering strategic consulting free of charge. Our teams provide hands-on support in growth strategy, operations, financial planning, and implementation - work that would typically cost tens of thousands per engagement.
But our work does more than strengthen businesses. We create opportunity for our students and young professionals by offering real, hands-on consulting experience, direct exposure to small business leadership, a strong professional network across our partners and advisors, and ongoing professional development support and mentorship.
In less than a year, we have already delivered measurable results for:
Historic Lodging Center (Matewan, WV)
*Current Engagement
Shipley Family Farms (Boone, NC)
- 4-month engagement
- Developed a data-driven wholesale growth strategy, CRM infrastructure, digital marketing roadmap, and agritourism expansion plan
Kumon Math & Reading Center (Kingsport, TN)
- 4-month engagement
- Designed a full-funnel student acquisition, retention, and corporate partnership strategy to increase enrollment and long-term retention
We have several upcoming engagements and are working to expand our consulting arm.
Your support accelerates our growth and strengthens the entire Appalachia Advisory community.
While donations at this time are not tax-deductible, we are currently in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status, with help from the Transactional Law Clinic at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville.
Your contribution will directly support:
- Immediate operational and administrative costs
- Client sourcing and engagement across Appalachia
- Recruitment and training consultants from top schools
- New chapter development and long-term regional impact
Every dollar helps us expand our reach, deepen our impact, and equip the next generation of leaders to serve Appalachia where it matters most.
Executive Team:
- Amisha Agrawal - Founder & President, Emory '25, Associate at Boston Consulting Group
- Iliyan Chatoor - Vice President of Consulting Services, Emory '25, Analyst at Goldman Sachs
- Adrian Thierry - Vice President of Business Development, Emory '25, Finance Associate at Mars
- Jia Malhotra - Director of Resources Team, Emory '25, Financial Analyst at Novartis
- Anushka Jois - Director of Operations, Emory '27
- Todd Hanson - Director of Growth & Development, Emory '27
- Yusuf Sulaiman - Consulting Team Lead, ETSU '26
Board of Advisors:
- Andrea Hershatter - Senior Dean, Goizueta Business School, Emory University
- Philip Cox - President, Mitch Cox Companies (Property Development/Real Estate)
- Darren Thierry - International Business Operations, Dexcom
- Sandeep Bangaru - VP of Sustainability, Eastman Chemical Company
- Anil Agrawal - International Sales, Aerus
Our Partners:
- Bob Cantler - President/CEO, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce
- Sonu Mirchandani - Entrepreneurship Program, ETSU
- David Nelson - Director, Founder's Forge
- Jake Jo - OAM Professor, Emory University, Goizueta Business School
Project Advisors:
- Robin Thomas - Strategy Manager, Eastman Chemical Company
- Guyberson Pierre - Associate, EY-Parthenon
Organizer
