Board of Directors

---

Erika has always felt tied to the Appalachian land and landscape. With a firm belief that self-sufficiency creates quality of life, she has the desire to provide spaces for others to gather to teach and learn together and from one another. With a long history of Appalachian heritage gleaned from her family and mentors, she recognizes a need to share stories and traditions of self-reliance and community connectedness. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Erika is a former restaurant owner, educator, and owns and operates Oh, Sugar! a custom cookie and confection bakery.

Symber grew up immersed in the Southern Appalachian lifestyle, where front porch storytelling, hospitality, gardening, cooking, and preserving food were not just practical skills-they were acts of love and tradition. Symber shares her love for homegrown food and heritage canning practices through curated products and hands-on experiences. Her mission is to celebrate the deep connection between land, food, and community. Symber owns and operates Root and Petal Co.

https://rootandpetalco.com

A native of Southeastern Kentucky, Beatrice built a diverse professional career, including the American Cancer Society, after attending Eastern KY University. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to 8 and great grandmother to 6. Her strong family ties and mountain heritage have shaped her values of hard work and resilience. Her independent spirit and wealth of experience inspire her mission to help others build life skills and achieve personal growth.

Entrepreneurship is the epitome of self-reliance. The Foundation supports local entrepreneurship through our purchases and contracts. Bryce is a local entrepreneur with a business but also specializes in growing and assisting others with business model planning, feasibility, research, and logistics. His role on the board of directors is fluid as he serves as a business consultant for the board and participants interested in launching a business. He currently owns and operates Appalachian Entreprenuers with two other business partners.