Our Founder
Emma Pepper is the founder of Peppermill, a consulting studio that supports social impact organizations and agencies in community and economic development, creative placemaking, public health, and impact investing. With a profound commitment to driving positive change, Emma leverages her extensive experience to help clients amplify their impact and achieve transformative growth.
Our Commitment to Appalachia
We are in collaboration with the thriving ecosystem of changemakers in Appalachia. Lasting progress happens from the ground up. In our work, we emphasize the importance of bottom-up approaches to wealth building and economic resilience, community and family health, and overall well-being.
The challenges faced by our communities—spanning the decline of industry to the need for more accessible healthcare, news deserts and food deserts, and a pervasive sense of lack of opportunity—are complex and multifaceted. Our solutions must involve multidisciplinary strategies rooted in collaboration. Many already are collaborating deeply—dreamers and doers who are building a new kind of future for Appalachia.
We stand with you.
Change is possible, and it’s happening today.
Emma Pepper has served social impact organizations with headquarters in West Virginia, California, and Washington, DC. Her career spans more than 15 years in the field, including 8 years in directorial roles and 3 years serving on the leadership team at a nationally-recognized nonprofit focused on catalytic community and economy building. Emma has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the social impact sector.
Emma's expertise includes coaching, team and culture building, nonprofit leadership and management, partnership development, facilitation, and impact communications. Through strategic guidance and tailored support, Emma supports individuals and organizations to scale their impact and effect lasting change in their communities.
Past Employers
Including…
West Virginia Community Development Hub (West Virginia)
Tamarack Foundation for the Arts (West Virginia)
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences (West Virginia)
The Fridge District of Columbia Art Gallery (Washington, DC)
Cultural Development Corporation (Washington, DC)
AmeriCorps VISTA, A New America Community Corporation (California)
Current and Past Clients
Including…
Invest Appalachia (Central Appalachia)
Office of Nutrition Services, West Virginia Department of Health (West Virginia)
Ebenezer Medical Outreach (West Virginia)
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (West Virginia)
WV Office of Maternal and Child & Family Health (West Virginia)
Trust for Civic Life (National)
Center of Excellence for Recovery, Marshall University Research Corporation (West Virginia)
Speaking & Training Engagements
Including…
Appalachian Regional Commission (Washington, DC)
Philanthropy West Virginia (West Virginia)
Central Appalachian Network (Central Appalachia)
West Virginia Nonprofit Association (West Virginia)
West Virginia Hive Network, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (West Virginia)
Let's Make a Connection
We are part of a supportive community in Central Appalachia that is driven to collaborate and innovate. We are always looking to make new connections.
We are here to support you on your journey towards scaling your impact and driving transformative change, or just to have a cup of coffee.