Sara Coplai

Director of Development | The Industrial Commons

Sara Coplai serves as Director of Development for The Industrial Commons, where she leads strategic fundraising and resource development in support of the organization’s mission to grow locally rooted wealth. Her passion for ending poverty was sparked early through service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after growing up in rural West Virginia, shaping a career grounded in economic justice, community led development, and systems change.

A proud later in life MBA graduate, Sara blends lived experience with formal training and brings both heart and strategy to her work. She has deep experience building cross sector partnerships and mobilizing resources across Central Appalachia, and she enjoys connecting funders and partners to bold ideas that strengthen rural economies and expand shared prosperity.

Outside of work, Sara loves spending time outdoors with her family and cheering on her young adult children in their latest adventures.