Who We Are
OUR MISSION
Helping families achieve lasting financial stability through personalized coaching and financial skill building.
OUR VISION
We envision a financially prosperous region, where families have the skills, confidence, and support to manage their money and build lasting wealth.
How We Work
PEOPLE-CENTERED
We believe that anyone can achieve financial stability with the support of a trusted financial coach, regardless of income, debt or credit history.
ONE-ON-ONE
Financial problems can be hard to navigate, and no two are the same. We take a customized approach with every client to find the right path forward.
RESULTS-DRIVEN
We obsess about measuring impact. We are not satisfied until barriers are overcome and households have the skills for long-term financial stability.
Our “Why”
Tennessee has 4x more predatory lenders than McDonalds*. As former employees of a traditional financial institution, we saw first-hand that banks simply are not designed to serve people with low credit scores, higher debt loads, and lower incomes–a group which makes up a disproportionate amount of the population in rural communities. People in these situations are frequently forced to turn to predatory lenders and check cashers that charge exorbitant rates (over 400% for a payday loan!).
Financial stress and lack of access to affordable services crushes people. It stifles workplace performance, harms communities, and breaks families apart. Individual financial stress is one of the top reasons given for why people in recovery relapse.
The foundation for financial stability is skill-building and access. Our financial coaches help people learn negotiation skills, make smarter financial decisions, and have hope for the future. These are lifelong skills and experiences that transform lives, families, and entire communities.
*According to the Metro Ideas report “Fighting Predatory Lending in Tennessee”.
Our Story
Appalachian Opportunity Fund was a community program incubated within a $230 million financial institution serving Central Appalachia from 2014 to 2018. In 2019, the initiative spun off as a stand-alone nonprofit—led by former credit union staff and uniquely positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
Today, AOF partners with nonprofits, collaboratives, municipal departments, housing authorities, and state-funded social service programs to deliver personalized financial coaching at no cost to more than 1,200 individuals and families across the region. Our financial coaches are Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certified.
Read more about our Impact.
Our Employees
Beth McConkey
Executive Director
Adam Taylor, AFC
Co-Founder and Senior Financial Coach
Hannah Newberry, AFC
Financial Coach
Oren Peterson, AFC
Financial Coach and Program Manager
Barbara Tipton, AFC
Financial Coach
Abigail Gaines
Administrative Assistant
Our Board of Directors
AARON DUFFY
Co-Founder and Board Chair
RACHEL IRWIN
Board Member
JESSICA EDMISTEN
Board Member
CHAD COVERT
Board Member
CHAD COVERT
Board Member
LEYA MARTINEZ
Board Member
ABRAHAM MCINTYRE
Board Member
ANDY DIDYK
Board Member
JESSE GREEN
Board Member
ERIC KAO
Board Member