About
Global Appalachia was created to expand global opportunities for Appalachian students and communities. We believe Appalachia’s voices, experiences, and perspectives belong in international conversations, public service, diplomacy, and global leadership spaces. Our network began with a simple idea: bridging the gap between the holler and the international arena. We saw a need for Appalachian perspectives to move beyond local silos and into broader global conversations, creating pathways for students and emerging leaders to explore opportunities that may have once felt out of reach.
Through mentorship programs, virtual events, educational resources, writing initiatives, and professional networks, we connect participants with careers and opportunities in international affairs, global policy, public service, and leadership. Our mission is rooted in helping Appalachians better understand how global issues impact local communities while empowering them to contribute their own perspectives and ideas to the world around them.
We are nonpartisan by design and believe meaningful solutions come from open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and collaborative learning. By creating space for students, educators, professionals, and community members from all backgrounds to engage with one another, we aim to foster a stronger, more connected generation of Appalachian changemakers whose ideas can resonate far beyond the mountains.
Our Team
Founder | Tanner Willis
Tanner is a native of Greenup County, Kentucky, and the founder of Global Appalachia. His work focuses on connecting rural Appalachian communities to global opportunities in policy, international affairs, and public service.
He holds a master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Marshall University. During his graduate studies, he completed fellowships with Al Fusaic and the United Nations Association–National Capital Area (UNA-NCA).
Tanner previously served as an Operations Officer with Citizens for Global Solutions, an organization with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), where he supported international policy and advocacy initiatives. He currently works in federal contracting, leading compliance programs and managing cross-functional projects.
His writing on policy and public affairs has been featured in outlets including The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Lexington Herald-Leader. He is also the author of Smoke and Silence: The Lives of Ol’ Mort, published by the Jesse Stuart Foundation.
Co-Founder | Langley Sebastian
Langley is currently finishing her master's degree in Global Security Studies at King's College London while living in her hometown of Ashland, Kentucky. Langley is a 2020 graduate of Ashland High School and a 2023 graduate of Transylvania University. After earning her undergraduate degree in international affairs from Transylvania, she served as a Peace Corps agriculture volunteer in rural Cameroon. Her work there deepened her commitment to global equity, food security, and human rights.
Langley has lived in Cameroon and Italy and has traveled to nearly thirty countries. These experiences have strengthened her interest in the legal and ethical intersections of global development.
Currently she is attending law school at the University of Melbourne, where she is specializing in international human rights law.
Outside of her academic work, Langley is happiest when she's baking or cooking for her family and friends, golfing, skiing, scuba diving, or going on long walks when the weather is nice.
Langley is excited to be part of the Appalachian Policy & World Affairs Network because she loves working with students, advocating for Appalachia, and exchanging knowledge and experiences.
Founding Advisory Board Member | Chaz Martin
Chaz is a former U.S. diplomat with over 20 years of experience across government, the private sector, nonprofits, and international development. He currently serves as Director of International Communications at Spirit of America, where he leads global communications efforts supporting the work of U.S. diplomats and military personnel abroad.
As a Foreign Service Officer, Chaz was named the U.S. Department of State’s Linguist of the Year for his work countering disinformation and served as the first Russian-language spokesperson for the U.S. at the United Nations General Assembly. His overseas assignments included Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, where he led public diplomacy initiatives, supported refugee communities, and helped develop strategies to counter violent extremism.
Beyond government service, Chaz has led strategic communications campaigns across Europe, South Asia, and Africa and worked directly with refugee communities in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. He began his international career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, teaching English and theater in a rural village.
He holds a master’s degree in diplomacy and international commerce from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Louisville.