Tanya Conrath is a 5th generation Appalachian from Athens county, an attorney, and business owner with a broad understanding of what her community needs. She has spent her professional career focused on economic development, working to bring in money and resources to support the region. Tanya was the inaugural director of the Athens Foundation’s ‘Leadership Athens County’, a nine-month program connecting and educating current and emerging county leaders about the issues facing the region. Tanya led Governor Ted Strickland’s Ohio Skills Bank initiative, an eight-county wide initiative bringing together business and post-secondary education partners to identify workforce needs, win grants, and lobby state government to invest dollars into the region. She has also worked as Associate Director for the OU Innovation Center, supporting the building of businesses in Southeast Ohio. In her community Tanya volunteers with the League of Women Voters of Athens County, the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, My Sister’s Place Domestic Violence Agency, Planned Parenthood of SE Ohio, and The Dairy Barn Arts Center. When elected, her biggest priority will be creating jobs, improving economic development, supporting small business, and fighting for living wages. Tanya deeply cares about those she represents and believes it is crucial that our legislature helps to create jobs and get our economy back on track. Her experience in providing opportunities for economic growth and development will prove invaluable in the Statehouse and improve the lives of many Ohioans.