Jude Swanson

Jude grew up in a small no-stoplight town nestled in the the foothills of Appalachia. The rolling fields, placid lakes, and the steadfast outline of the Blue Ridge defined his early days and gave him a strong belief in the importance of the intersection of people and place. Alongside that, he feels that sharing stories is the best first step towards empathy with our neighbors and the land that we all share in common.

Prior to joining Appalachian Voices, Jude earned his Masters of Divinity and worked in higher education for a few years. More recently he was the executive director for a small homeless shelter. Jude enjoys kayaking on the river and going on bike rides with his wife. You can find them at home hanging out with their two dogs, two cats, and three chickens that they love.