Rural voices belong in national conversations.
I help leaders, funders, and policymakers understand rural America and invest in its young people.
RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT, BUT RARELY LISTENED TO.
I grew up in rural Appalachia, and I’ve spent my career working to ensure that where a child is born does not determine what’s possible for their future.
“When people want to get rural right, I often point them to Dreama.”
I've worked with Dreama for nearly 15 years. She brings a clarity to rural America that’s grounded in lived experience and strengthened by systems thinking. She understands how to scale policy, funding, and local leadership that intersects in rural places. And she never loses sight of what matters most: young people.”
Elson Nash
SENIOR FELLOW, BLUE MERIDIAN PARTNERS
Hi, I’m
I’m a national leader in rural education, economic mobility and place-based partnerships, as well as the founder of one of the largest nonprofits serving rural communities.
I bring lived experience and results-driven practice into rooms where decisions are made — helping ensure rural places and rural young people are no longer invisible.
Roots and Wings
Stories and ideas drawn from my family, travels and work in rural places.
