John Molinaro is from the Pittsburgh area. (Yes, it is a part of Appalachia!) In 1979 he left seminary when he felt called to improve the lives of struggling families (rather than parish ministry). To prepare for this work, he completed a Master’s program focused on planning, rural development and organizational administration.

In 1982, John was asked to revitalize a family counseling and child abuse prevention center which specialized in working with children experiencing sexual violence in their homes. As Executive Director, he observed that most families struggled financially due to an economy that produced mostly low-wage jobs. He decided to focus on building local economies that produce family-sustaining jobs.

For 20 years, John ran the programs of a foundation that supported economic development in 9 rural Minnesota counties. Over that time, they added 30,000 well-paying jobs. Average wages doubled and 15,000 people moved back home to live and work.

In 2006 The Aspen Institute recruited John to co-lead its Community Strategies Group (CSG). CSG helps build rural economies to improve the economic success of struggling families. John helped rural places in 35 states chart their paths forward, building on local assets and intentionally including families living on the margins.

In 2012, John left Aspen to start up Appalachian Ohio’s first regionwide economic development organization. Over eight years, he built four related organizations with 22 staff and a $3 million budget, which secured $6 billion in corporate investment creating 10,000 jobs, attracted $25 million in government grants and leveraged $125 million in loan capital for small businesses.

In 2020, John retired and co-founded RES Associates LLC with his partner Dr. Solveig Spjeldnes. RES allows John and Solveig to continue to share their expertise, taking on selected high-impact projects across rural America.

Tanya Conrath is the fifth generation of her family to live in the foothills of Appalachia, Ohio. She earned her JD from OSU Moritz College of Law and has combined her passion and education to work on economic and workforce development initiatives that bring money, resources, and support to the people of Southeast Ohio. Tanya’s volunteer work includes serving on the boards of the League of Women Voters of Athens County, BlueDot Co-Working, the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet), Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, My Sister’s Place, and The Dairy Barn Arts Center. She is honored to be part of SAOP and to work in service of its mission.

Sarah Jones comes to the board with four years of applied behavioral health experience and a trauma informed approach to service and support for the region’s most vulnerable populations. She holds the title of Access Supervisor at Integrated Services for Behavioral Health and demonstrates a critical understanding of the need for accessible, justice based initiatives and economic development in Southeast Ohio.

A lifelong resident of Meigs County, Ohio, She and her family live a life deeply rooted in agriculture and food chain production. She enjoys time shared with an abundance of friends who support her fiercely and time spent outdoors with her son, dogs and assorted farm animals.

Rebekah Perkins Crawford is a co-survivor. As a researcher she cares about how religious communities talk about consent and reports of sexual violence within religious organizations. As an advocate she cares about how trauma and experiences of acute vulnerability affect holistic wellness. She is grateful to be a part of a community that provides a support system for survivors and their loved ones.

Sarah Jones is an Assistant Professor at Ohio University where she studies the power and politics of gender in organizations and teaches courses on research methods, institutional policy, and advocacy. She is a certified facilitator with StoryScope: A Story Circles Project (an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Arts & Culture) and the Institute for Civil Dialogue–tools she utilizes in classroom and community spaces. Sarah is also a recent alum of Leadership Athens County through the Athens County Foundation.

Patty Stokes, Ph.D., teaches in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Ohio University. She became passionate about ending sexual violence when confronted with its high prevalence and resultant trauma among her students. Realizing its impact was even greater throughout our communities, she completed volunteer training with SAOP in the summer of 2015. When SAOP began moving toward independent non-profit status, she became the founding board member and later served as secretary. She feels privileged to see the organization blossom and grow, thanks to its staff and volunteers’ incredible dedication and empathy.

Peggy Garcia, MBA Director of Prevention Programming | Community Relations Expert | Advocate for Survivors of Violence

Peggy Garcia is an experienced and dedicated social services and community engagement professional. With over a decade of hands-on experience in prevention programming, victim advocacy, and strategic partnerships, she is passionate about the well-being of children, families, and individuals affected by violence.

Currently, Peggy serves as the Director of Prevention Programming at the Appalachian Children Coalition, where she leads impactful initiatives to create healthier communities and reduce the risks children face in the Appalachian region. In addition to her role in prevention, she also directed community and partner relations, fostering collaborative efforts that enhance service delivery and community outreach.

Peggy’s career in Appalachia began in victim services, where she supported survivors of sexual violence as an Outreach and Training Coordinator with the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program while it was still housed through Ohio University. Her early career included roles as a Witness Specialist at CSP Inc., where she coordinated victim and witness services in the criminal justice system in Orange County, California, and as a Volunteer Victim Advocate with the Pima County Attorney’s Office in Tucson, Arizona.

Peggy completed an Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology (October 2023 – November 2024), where she further developed her leadership and strategic management skills. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Pre-Law from the University of Arizona (2006-2010), where she was actively involved in the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and the Mock Trial Competition Team.

With her MBA and a deep commitment to creating positive changes in her community, Peggy brings strong skills in organizational development, coalition-building, and impact evaluation to every role she takes on. Her passion for service and community empowerment drives her work and the lives she touches.

Peggy is thrilled to join the SAOP Board and bring her career full circle to empowering the survivors in the region through supporting an organization held near and dear to her.

Stephanie Russell (she/her) is an independently licensed clinical mental health counselor and passionate advocate for individuals and families living in rural Appalachia. She is a lifelong resident of Athens County; she credits her deep roots and connective thread to the region in informing her daily experience as a mother, partner, defender, and adventurer. Stephanie earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ohio University, however, she recognizes the individuals she has had the privilege of walking alongside to be her most impactful teachers. She believes in the power of healing through connection and community, despite her frequent knee-jerk desire to run to the hills (of Appalachia and beyond) to rest and recharge. Solitude and self-reflection serve as the fuel necessary to grow her ability to be of better service to all.

Stephanie has built her career championing those navigating complex systems, particularly involving mental health, child welfare, and substance dependence — offering sturdiness as folks navigate the turbulence and unpredictability that routinely exist in tandem. She recognizes the opportunity to serve SAOP as a pathway to advance, nurture, and cultivate change for the people of our region.

Shelly is from Glouster, Ohio and is a life-long resident of Athens County. She serves as Community Supports Director of the Perry County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she is heavily involved in leadership development and behavioral supports.

Shelly holds an associate degree in accounting, a bachelor of science with an education concentration, and a master’s degree in public administration. Her highest achievement and what brings her the most satisfaction and joy is helping the people she loves in her personal and professional life to grow and thrive.

Shelly is excited for the opportunity to give back to the community and support families in their healing and survival through her role on the SAOP board.