Lori Rochelle

As the Chief People Officer at Pathway Lending, Lori Rochelle is a strategic leader dedicated to fostering a thriving workplace culture that supports the growth, engagement, and well-being of over 56 employees. With over 20 years of experience in corporate operations and administration, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the people and culture strategy of Pathway, which provides low-interest loans and education to entrepreneurs and communities across Tennessee.

Lori’s journey with Pathway Lending began with its parent organization, where she was deeply involved in its early foundation in East Tennessee. Her career has been defined by a passion for talent development, organizational impact, and workplace culture. She is always eager to connect and collaborate with professionals who share her commitment to empowering people and businesses.

Before her time in the nonprofit and financial sectors, Lori was co-owner of a photography company specializing in virtual tour images using iPIX technology, developed in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This work took her across the country on nationwide projects, and locally, she was part of a small team that had the opportunity to photograph construction of the original Tennessee Titans’ stadium, helping to create virtual tours used for marketing purposes.

A Tennessee native, Lori grew up on a family farm just outside of Nashville. After getting married, she relocated to East Tennessee for several years, where she worked in her husband’s family’s generational hardware store in Clinton. These experiences—rooted in family business, entrepreneurship, and community—have shaped her deep appreciation for small businesses and the people who build them.