About

Tanner Willis is the founder and Managing Director of Global Appalachia and serves on its Board of Directors, leading the organization’s strategy, partnerships, operations, and overall development.

He 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. His professional experience includes nonprofit operations, federal contracting, compliance, and project management.

His writing on policy and public affairs has been featured in outlets including The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Courier Journal. He is also the author of Smoke and Silence: The Lives of Ol’ Mort, published by the Jesse Stuart Foundation. 

Langley Sebastian is a co-founder, International Education Advisor, and member of the Board of Directors for Global Appalachia, providing guidance on international education and helping connect the organization’s mission with opportunities for students to engage with the wider world.

 She is a proud Appalachian from Ashland, Kentucky. She 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, Italy, and Australia and has traveled to over thirty countries. These experiences have strengthened her interest in the legal and ethical intersections of global development. 

Langley recently graduated from King’s College London with a master’s degree in Global Security and she is now attending law school at the University of Melbourne in Australia, where she plans to expand her knowledge and skills in global rights advocacy. 

Outside of her academic work, Langley is happiest when she's baking or cooking for her family and friends, teaching golfing, skiing, scuba diving, or going on long walks when the weather is nice.

Langley is excited to be part of Global Appalachia because she loves working with students, advocating for Appalachia, and exchanging knowledge and experiences.

Ambassador (ret.) Greta Holtz serves as a Senior Advisor and member of the Board of Directors for Global Appalachia, bringing decades of diplomatic leadership and international experience to the organization’s educational mission and strategic development.

She is the President and CEO of Amideast, a leading multinational non-profit organization that provides pathways to education and employment in the Middle East and North Africa. She was U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Chargé d'affaires in Qatar, and the Minister-Counselor for Provincial Affairs in Baghdad. Ambassador Holtz was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the U.S. Special Operations Command, and Chancellor of National Defense University’s College of International Security Affairs.  

She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic Communication in the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Ambassador Holtz served in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and Türkiye.  

She earned a B.S. from Vanderbilt University, an M.A., Univ of Kentucky (distinguished graduate), and an M.A. from the National War College. She is a board member of Spirit of America, the Marshall Legacy Institute, a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a non-resident Distinguished Fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. 

Chaz Martin serves as a Senior Advisor and member of the Board of Directors for Global Appalachia, providing strategic guidance and helping strengthen the organization’s connections across international affairs, diplomacy, and public service. 

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.

Craig Combs serves as Program Director and a member of the Board of Directors for Global Appalachia, helping lead the organization's educational programming and engagement efforts. 

Craig is an educator with more than twenty years of experience and a native of Eastern Kentucky. Born and raised in Beattyville, Kentucky, he began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling in 2003.

In 2006, Craig founded the King of the Mountains Chess League, an organization that continues to provide students from across the region opportunities to develop their skills, compete, and build lasting connections. In 2012, he joined a national nonprofit organization dedicated to serving rural students and communities.

Throughout his career, Craig has worked with students across fourteen counties in Southeastern Kentucky, helping connect young people with educational opportunities, resources, and community partnerships. His passion is creating pathways that empower Appalachian students to pursue their goals and realize their full potential.

Craig resides in Irvine, Kentucky, with his wife, Lisa, whom he has been married to for more than thirty years.

Chad Rudd serves as School Coordinator and a member of the Board of Directors for Global Appalachia, helping facilitate relationships between participating schools, educators, students, and the organization’s network of mentors.

 Chad is a lifelong resident of Wolfe County, Kentucky, where he lives on a farm with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Caedmon and Caressa. With more than 30 years of experience in education, he serves as assistant principal at Wolfe County High School, where he also teaches College Algebra and oversees district supplemental and after-school programs. 

Deeply rooted in Appalachia, Chad is committed to expanding educational opportunities and helping prepare students for success both within the region and beyond.

Caedmon Rudd serves as Student Representative for Global Appalachia, bringing a student perspective to the organization’s programs and development. In his role, he helps ensure that the interests, experiences, and perspectives of young people remain part of the conversation as Global Appalachia works to expand international education opportunities for students across the region.

He is a student from Wolfe County, Kentucky, in the heart of the Red River Gorge. Growing up in a family of educators, he has developed a strong appreciation for lifelong learning and a passion for history, world religions, and global affairs. He aspires to pursue a career in foreign policy and international service while exploring the world beyond Appalachia.

An active member of his school and community, Caedmon participates in FBLA, archery, and the academic team. Guided by his Christian faith, he is committed to serving others with humility, curiosity, and a desire to make a meaningful impact.