Lilah Gange joined the Rural Action staff as Assistant to the CEO in August of 2023. As a Meigs County native, Lilah spent her early youth harvesting and crafting herbal medicines in the Equinox Botanicals apothecary and exploring the forests, caves, ponds and prairie of Equinox Farm and United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary. Lilah also grew up attending Rural Action’s watershed camps. These experiences shaped her core values in environmental sustainability, education and conservation.
In 2017 Lilah became a member of Indivisible Appalachian Ohio (IAO), a nonprofit 501(c)4 dedicated to serving Appalachian communities in Southeast Ohio through education, community engagement and advocacy. As a member of IAO, Lilah conducted research on the lack of broadband internet access in rural Appalachian communities, as well as basic infrastructure needs. Additionally, Lilah advocated for students, teachers and administrators who experienced technological challenges and the negative impacts on education caused by the digital divide. Her time spent with IAO fueled her passion for nonprofit work and the development of rural communities in and around Southeast Ohio.
Lilah earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, as well as a specialization in marketing. Additionally, she obtained a minor in Retail and Fashion Merchandising with a focus on environmental sustainability in the textile industry.
In her free time Lilah enjoys thrifting, practicing yoga, hiking and printmaking.