Executive Board

Iliyan serves as Co-President of Consulting & Resources at Appalachia Advisory, where he oversees client engagements and helps build resources that strengthen the organization’s consulting capabilities. Growing up in Pakistan, he saw firsthand the importance of small and family-run businesses to local communities, which shaped his passion for helping entrepreneurs gain access to the strategic and financial resources they need to grow.

Iliyan currently works at Goldman Sachs as a Real Estate Investment Controller and brings experience across finance, consulting, investment analysis, and small-business strategy. Through Appalachia Advisory, he focuses on client strategy, team development, market research, and building scalable resources that improve the quality and impact of client engagements.

Iliyan received his BBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in May 2025, where he studied Finance and Applied Math.

Activities & Affiliations: Former President, Project V Solutions Consulting

Adrian serves as Co-President, overseeing the Growth & Strategy arm of Appalachia Advisory. He joined Appalachia Advisory because of its mission to provide small businesses with access to strategic resources and support while creating opportunities for students to gain meaningful, real-world consulting experience.

Adrian currently works at Mars as a Marketing Associate and brings experience across finance, sales, marketing, and policy, with exposure to financial services, sports & entertainment, and social impact. Through his work at Appalachia Advisory, he focuses on organizational growth, strategic partnerships, client development, network expansion, and brand strategy.

Adrian received his BBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in May 2025, where he studied Strategy & Management Consulting and Marketing.

Activities & Affiliations: VP of Membership, Caucus of Emory Black Alumni Board

Yusuf Sulaiman is a Consulting Team Lead with Appalachia Advisory, working directly with small business owners to accomplish their goals He joined Appalachia Advisory inspired by his own experiences watching his parents own/operate their family restaurant. 

Professionally, Yusuf carries 2 years of experience in venture capital and start-up acceleration across multiple organizations. He was the development lead on a emerging venture fund, took an health-tech start-up to market, built-out investment screening processes for a local firm, and completed fellowships in commercialization strategy and blockchain research. 

Yusuf received his BBA in Economics and Finance from the East Tennessee State University's College of Business and Technology in May 2026. He graduated with top-10 honors and founded a $200K student-managed investment fund.