We Are Committed to Helping Our Kids
and Our Community

WYN Staff

The strength of WYN is the passion and commitment shown by each member of the WYN family: volunteer, board member, donor and staff person. We are united in our belief that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential and are dedicated to doing all we can to make that possible for youth in our community. Join us as we work together to “raise a community!”

WYN Staff | Board of Directors | Advisory Board

Admin

Jennifer has been the Executive Director of Western Youth Network since 2006. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University, a BA from Pfeiffer University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

Jennifer Warren

Executive Director

Caroline graduated from Appalachian State with a B.S. in Psychology ’16 and MA in Public Administration ’19, with a certificate in Nonprofit Management. Her passion lies in strengthening organizational systems to better support staff who work directly with youth and families, ensuring that every child and family receives the care they deserve.

Caroline Davis

Director of Events & Operations

Student Programs

Heather first came to WYN as a tutor while working on her Bachelors, and later, Masters degree in Social Work at Appalachian State. She enjoyed the program and built deep relationships with the kids. In 2011, she began working for WYN. She loves that WYN mixes her passions of community, nature, relationships, and social science.

Heather Canipe

Director of Student Programs

Kiersten was introduced to WYN through service learning at Appalachian State. She joined the WYN team after graduating in 2016 with her BS in English Secondary Education. She loves working at WYN because of the exuberant personalities the students have, and the wonderful relationships she gets to build with them.

Kiersten Kleene

Watauga Afterschool Lead Programmer

Gabbie first joined WYN during her internship and recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. She is passionate about providing youth support and promoting authenticity. Outside of work, Gabbie spends her time with her pets and being active outdoors.

Gabbie Lee

Watauga Afterschool Programmer

Sarah graduated from Appalachian State University in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology/Human Services. After growing up in rural Appalachia, her goal was to continue her career working with Appalachian communities. Her passion for helping her community and building strong relationships with kids is why she chose WYN!

Sarah Collins

Watauga Afterschool Programmer

Taylor, a recent graduate from Appalachian State with a B.S. in Public Health and former member of the Women’s Basketball Team, is passionate about community service and youth empowerment. Driven by her own life experiences, she believes every child deserves a voice.

Taylor Lewis

Watauga Afterschool Programmer

Following graduation from Appalachian State in 2017, Kelsey has spent her career following her passion for serving rural youth communities and promoting holistic wellness approaches as a CIS Site Coordinator and now a WYN Afterschool Site Leader. She approaches her work with a firm belief in the wisdom of Rita Pierson: “every child deserves a champion.”

Kelsey Ferrell

Ashe Afterschool Programmer

Tara graduated from WCC in 2015 with an Associates in General Education. She has a background in working with youth affected by intimate partner violence and prevention education. She believe that through early intervention and education on self-esteem and positive relationships we can put an end to generational trauma in our community.

Tara Worley

Ashe Afterschool Programmer

Rita’s early challenges and experiences deeply shaped her outlook on life, cultivating a strong sense of empathy and responsibility. Her interactions are guided by a desire to create a better world for the next generation, fostering environments where they can thrive. She hopes to leave each day better than she found it and support those who may otherwise feel alone.

Rita Jordan

Ashe Afterschool Programmer

Svea, Appalachian State University ’24, has a passion for using her public health degree to support underserved, rural communities and connect with youth to improve negative health and life outcomes. Svea also enjoys serving in her church, mentoring incoming college students, and exploring the mountains.

Svea Hulstedt

Ashe Afterschool Programmer

Chanecka is a mother of 5, 2 with special needs. She has 10+ years experience working with at-risk youth. She has a passion for encouraging youth to see beyond their circumstances, as well as valuing the importance of exposure to diverse cultural experiences.

Chanecka Schellhorn

Sparta Afterschool Lead Programmer

Graduating with a BA in Social Work in December 2023, Lexi aims to pursue a master’s degree and work with non-profit organizations focused on at-risk youth. Her own experiences drive her passion for making a difference in the lives of young people, inspired by those who helped her find her purpose.

Alexis Pardue

Sparta Afterschool Programmer

Born and raised in Chicago, John recognizes the profound impact of growing up in a culturally diverse community. Partnering with the dynamic WYN staff, he is dedicated to helping young people discover and cultivate their passions early in life.

John Vujnovich

Sparta Afterschool Programmer

Elizabeth holds a BS in Art Education (Appalachian State ’03) and has taught in public and private schools for 12 years. Her desire for serving nonprofit organizations began when she worked at the only local private Christian school to broaden the options for her children. She encourages youth to think outside the box while creating a safe space in which they can flourish.

Elizabeth Davis

Glade Creek Afterschool Lead Programmer

Molly holds a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and was introduced to WYN when she became a mentor. She strives to build personal relationships with each of her students and to create a positive learning environment for all.

Molly Andrews

Glade Creek Afterschool Programmer

Mentoring

Angela began her career WYN in the summer of 2004. She has a BA in Psychology from Humboldt State University. Angela is passionate about relationships and connecting people with resources. She takes great pride in pairing youth with positive role models and watching them grow into life-long friends.

Angela McMann

Director of Mentoring

A native to the Appalachian mountains, Carla transitioned to WYN after working in education with school age children for over 11 years. Her desire is to be a part of the process of bringing community, resiliency, healthy relationships and belonging to the youth of western North Carolina.

Carla Parker

School-Based Mentoring Coordinator

Haley is an Appalachian State graduate with an MBA from Gardner Webb University. She’s an Avery County native and is passionate about helping her community grow and thrive.

Haley McKinney

Avery Mentoring Program Manager

Community Health

Amber (she, her) has worked in the social justice field since 2015. Her passion lies in shaping change through primary prevention and creating connections; she was drawn to WYN’s vision of community wellness. Outside of work she is an avid hiker, climber, and waterfall hunter; loves to read; and mom to 2 humans and 1 fur baby.

Amber Dixon

Director of Community Health Initiatives

Jessica is very passionate about helping others and her community. She strives to make people’s lives better everywhere she goes! She uses her giving heart generate ideas and implement them to make other’s lives not only better but fun and exciting. Outside of work, she loves hiking, exploring, and spending time family.

Jessica Howard

Ashe/Alleghany Community Health Coordinator

A graduate of Mars Hill University, Tiffany has spent her career working with individuals impacted by trauma. Through her previous work in behavioral health & advocacy for victims of intimate partner & sexual violence, she discovered a desire to address root causes of complex issues at the community level through primary prevention.

Tiffany Moon

Avery Community Health Coordinator

Jonathan’s profound commitment to serving others, particularly youth, is fueled by his compassion and unwavering desire to effect positive change. Through his dedicated service, he endeavors to empower young individuals, steering them towards a future brimming with opportunity and success.

Jonathan Sheppard

Avery Youth Prevention Assistant

Brittany (she/her) has experience in community health, non-proﬁt work, and connections with local civic and grassroots organizations. She values creativity and relationship building as part of her work, with a focus on regional, intersectional well-being and sustainability for Appalachian communities.

Brittany Duncan

Watauga Community Health Coordinator

Board of Directors

Heidi Ragan

Chair of the Board
Member Since 2019

Heidi is the Watauga District Manager for Blue Ridge Energy. As a proud graduate of Appalachian State University, she is excited to be back in the mountains serving a community she loves. Heidi began her professional career with Appalachian State University and then spent six years working in Hickory, NC where she volunteered with numerous non-profit boards. She joined the Blue Ridge Energy family in early 2017 as the Training and Development Manager at the corporate office and transitioned to her current role in January 2019. Her and her family live in the Vilas area and are enjoying rediscovering this area they call home.

Tucker Deal

Vice Chair of the Board
Member Since 2016

Tucker is a native of Boone, an Attorney with the firm Deal, Moseley & Smith, LLP, and an adjunct instructor of business law at Appalachian State University. He believes strongly in WYN’s mission to provide each child with the opportunity to succeed regardless of circumstance, and that when we lift up and support the children of our community we strengthen our shared foundation for years to come. When not working, he can be found running the local trails and climbing rocks with his dog, Mister.

Greg Lovins

Treasurer
Member Since 2019

After over 30 years in higher education administration, including 25 years at Appalachian State, Greg is now a Director at First Tryon Advisors of Charlotte. He was introduced to WYN via several sources but especially through his wife, Claudine, a middle school teacher with Watauga County Schools, who speaks about the amazing work of the WYN team on a regular basis. Greg and Claudine reside in Boone and are the proud parents of Caroline, a 2019 graduate of Appalachian State, and Mary, a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jessa Sebastian

Secretary
Member Since 2024

Jessa is the Training Coordinator and Executive Assistant at the Mast General Store. Jessa has always encouraged her two young daughters to “look for the helpers,” and after she and her husband moved to Boone in 2017, WYN was one of the first organizations their family noticed. After years of work in rural school settings, Jessa knows the mission of WYN is not only important, but vital. She is grateful to the WYN staff and volunteers for the essential work they do. Jessa also serves in various ways throughout the community, mainly focusing on youth and leadership development.

Brenda Bradley Lowman

Member Since 2016

Brenda graduated from ASU in 1979 with a degree in Recreation/Business Management and never left the High Country! She has served the community’s youth in a variety of ways and raised two amazing daughters. In 2015, she retired from the Mast General Store as the Training and Event Coordinator.

As a Board Member, it is my distinct honor to support the devoted WYN staff in their mission.

Bob Holder

Member Since 2013

Bob and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Boone in 1983 to raise their three children in a mountain community. Bob and Carolyn are the developers and co-owners of Donor Express Software. As a Boy Scout leader, Bob learned the value of changing youth behaviors through positive influences. He became an avid supporter of WYN when he saw the same philosophy at work changing young lives.

Wysteria White

Member Since 2014

Wysteria is the Director of Public Relations for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce where she has served for more than 15 years. Wysteria is also a WYN Community-Based Mentor and a founding member of the Watauga Compassionate Communities Initiative. Wysteria has a son who benefited from WYN’s programs.

“As a single Mom I would not have been able to stay in this community and raise my son without WYN.”

Billie Brandon Howell

Member Since 2015

Billie is past President of Deer Valley Development Corporation, a family owned business that has provided recreational opportunities for Watauga County and seasonal residents of the High Country for over thirty years. She has been a community volunteer for numerous organizations and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Advisory Board of the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge.

Dave Robertson

Member Since 2016

Dave is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University and University of Georgia. He has over 42 years experience as a student development educator and middle school teacher. He and his wife, Karen, have been married for 48 years and have three grown children and five granddaughters. Dave also serves on several other community Boards for the arts and nature conservation and is an active member of Boone United Methodist Church.

Cindy Wallace

Member Since 2016

Cindy has been a part of the Boone community for over three decades. With husband Allen Moseley, raising their sons in these beautiful mountains, she was first introduced to WYN during a long career at Appalachian State University. Cindy serves with WYN because she believes it is nurturing better citizens, families, and communities.

Greyson Summey

Member Since 2021

Greyson is the owner of Revolution Boone, a cycling studio dedicated to give back to local nonprofits. Before opening this philanthropic business, Greyson taught middle school math to at-risk youth in rural Tennessee and inner city Philadelphia. Her passion to support vulnerable youth and local nonprofits lead Greyson to WYN. She avidly supports WYN and feels every child deserves a chance to thrive. She resides in Boone with her husband Brett, and children Brett and Poppy.

Wayne J. Miller, III.

Member Since 2013

Wayne is a Senior Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Charlotte. He owns Footsloggers as well as several local favorite restaurants. He and his wife, Jenny, live in Blowing Rock where they raised three children.

Advisory Board

Hanes Boren

Member Since 2016

Hanes, a 45-year resident of the High Country, is the Founder of Ski First Tracks and Footsloggers of Boone. His wife, Lida, and he have two children and three grandchildren living in Colorado and England. Hanes open Footsloggers in 1971 and Ski First Tracks in 1984 and has since sold both businesses. He is now retired from retail and gives much of his time and energy to community causes. He is an active member of Boone Sunrise Rotary and a founder of the Men for WYN movement to address the crisis of male mentorship facing WYN’s Community-Based Mentoring program.

Gary Gloster

Member Since 2016

Gary Gloster is a retired Suffragan Bishop of North Carolina who began his ordained ministry in Indiana. Most recently Gary served as the priest for Blowing Rock’s St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church. At the time of his election as Bishop Suffragan, Gloster was in his seventh year serving as the vicar of the Chapel of Christ the King in the underserved and impoverished Optimist Park neighborhood of Charlotte. Working in Charlotte and serving a newly-formed inner-city mission reflected Gloster’s long-standing commitment to social justice. As Bishop, Gloster brought this generous, passionate and pastoral sensibility into the life of the Diocese. He also made good use of his well-established talents in clown ministry, most notably at his own consecration, when he invited the Presiding Bishop, among others, to don clown noses. He consistently called upon the Episcopal Church to witness to the truth of and to give voice to the suffering and the neglected members of the human family.

Richard Sparks

Member Since 2016

Richard Sparks was President and Chief Executive Officer for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System for 38 years before he retired in 2017. Richard currently teaches in the Computer Information Systems & Supply Chain Management Department of the Walker College of Business at his alma mater, Appalachian State University (ASU). He received his undergraduate degree from ASU in Health Care Management in 1976 before subsequently obtaining his MBA there in 1978. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and served on the ACHE Council of Regents from 1996 to 2000.

Harry Davis

Member Since 2017

A giant North Carolina’s finance and banking community, Harry Davis, PhD, is now a professor in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University (ASU). Dr. Davis is the Professor of Banking (1980) and Economist (1981) for the North Carolina Bankers Association; a professor of Finance and past Chair of the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University (1981-1998); the Dean for the North Carolina School of Banking; an instructor for the Director’s College sponsored by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks and the FDIC; and an instructor for the North Carolina Insurance Executive Management School and the South Carolina School of Banking. In addition to these honors, Dr. Davis is active in the consulting field and has presented seminars to business groups in North Carolina as well as nationwide. He puts together feasibility plans, business plans and valuations for both financial and nonfinancial corporations.

Chuck Mantooth

Member Since 2019

Charles "Chuck" Mantooth is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS), the second largest employer in Watauga County. Chuck is a dedicated father, husband and member of the Boone United Methodist Church worship band. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Healthcare Management) in 1990 and from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 with a Master of Public Health. He is a Fellow of The American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on numerous boards including the North Carolina Hospital Association (NCHA) Board of Trustees, the NCHA Policy Development Committee, Appalachian State University Honors College Partnership Board, and The American College of Healthcare Executives Regent Advisory Committee. When asked to join the WYN Advisory Board, Chuck said he was honored to join a team so dedicated to making a difference.

Kim Shepherd

Member Since 2019

Kim Shepherd is the CEO of SkyLine Membership Corporation in West Jefferson, NC. She has worked for the cooperative for the past 22 years and assumed her current role in July 2018. Prior to being named CEO, she served as Chief Management Officer from 2016-2018 overseeing all operations of the company. She has also provided leadership in the areas of customer service operations through her responsibilities as Executive Director of Customer Operations from 2011 – 2016 and Customer Service and Sales Manager from 2002 – 2011. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. She serves on various industry boards including Carolina West Wireless, Telecom Insurance Group, Access/On Multimedia, Inc., Carolina/Virginias Telephone Membership Association, North Carolina Telephone Cooperative Coalition, Tennessee Broadband Association, and South Carolina Telecommunications and Broadband Association. Kim and her husband, Derek, reside in Warrensville, NC and they have two children. They are members of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Lansing, NC.

Charlie and Ann Baker

Member Since 2021

Ann and Charlie Baker came to Crossnore in 1979 having both grown up loving the high country. Ann, an artist and graphic designer, has taught art in the community college as well as helping local nonprofits with their graphic design needs. She has been a Crossnore community organizer and active in her support of the Avery County YMCA and Blue Ridge Conservancy. Charlie is a family doctor and pediatrician and retired 2 years ago after 40 years of practice in Crossnore and Linville. He delivered around 2000 babies, many from Boone and Ashe county. For twenty years he delivered babies for women he had delivered. He remains active in the medical community, teaching new residents in the Appalachian family practice residency in Boone.

Brad Wilson

Member Since 2021

Brad Wilson is CEO Emeritus of BlueCross BlueShield of NC. He and his wife Carole are both alumni of ASU and early in their professional careers lived in Lenoir where Brad practiced law and Carole was a public school teacher. They both have watched the positive impact WYN has had on the lives of young people in the region, so when Brad retired from BCBSNC a in 2018, he joined the Advisory Board. Brad and Carole reside in Raleigh where their two adult children and the four grandsons live but they spend as much time as possible at their home in Blowing Rock.

After serving as General Counsel to Governor James B Hunt from 1992-96, Brad joined BCBSNC as General Counsel. He became President and CEO in 2010. Since leaving BCBSNC, he has remained engaged in academia, public service, consulting and corporate and non-profit Board work. He served 16 years as a member of the UNC System Board of Governors, and served four years as the Chair of that Board. Brad is a member of the N.C. Business Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, NC’s highest civilian honor.

Bricca Sweet

Member Since 2022

Bricca and Sonny moved to Watauga County with their two youngest children in 1995, following their respective Army careers. Bricca had taught school before entering the Army, to include a year at an alternative school in Idaho. She returned to education, serving as the first Grants Officer in Watauga County Schools, and then started her own grants consulting business, specializing in programs for at-risk youth. Bricca’s doctorate in Educational Leadership is from App State. She and Sonny chose WYN for Sonny’s memorial fund after his terminal cancer diagnosis because of their shared passion for helping those who most need extra help. Bricca lives in Boone with her daughter, a school teacher, son-in-law, and two precious granddaughters.

Jan Rienerth

Emeritus, 2015

Janice G. Rienerth, Ph.D. is a retired professor emeritus of the Sociology Department at Appalachian State University. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge, as a Guardian ad Litem with the juvenile court system and as an advisor for Sigma Kappa sorority. Jan spent 30 years on the Board of Directors for Western Youth Network, an organization she helped to create. Jan has devoted her life and career to working with and advocating for children, youth and college aged students.

Jerry Moore

Emeritus, 2016

Coach Moore is the former head football coach at Appalachian State University (ASU) where he coached from 1989 to 2012. During his career, he compiled a college football coaching record of 242–134–2 over 24 years. He led his 2005 ASU Mountaineers team to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship, and then repeated as champions in 2006 and 2007, achieving the first “three-peat” in NCAA Division I FCS/I-AA history. He has since been selected for inclusion into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. (2014) A devoted family man, Moore is married to Margaret and they have three children: Chris, Scott and Elizabeth, and six grandchildren.

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At WYN, we value what makes you unique, in fact, we celebrate it. We believe that when people feel respected, it provides space for them to thrive. Inclusion and acceptance fosters a safe environment for everyone. WYN is committed to providing a safe space for all, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience. Together, we explore diverse perspectives to propel our initiatives forward and transform the High Country community. Everyone is welcome here, authentically and holistically.

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We Are Committed to Helping Our Kids and Our Community

WYN Staff

Admin

Jennifer Warren

Caroline Davis

Student Programs

Heather Canipe

Kiersten Kleene

Gabbie Lee

Sarah Collins

Taylor Lewis

Kelsey Ferrell

Tara Worley

Rita Jordan

Svea Hulstedt

Chanecka Schellhorn

Alexis Pardue

John Vujnovich

Elizabeth Davis

Molly Andrews

Mentoring

Angela McMann

Carla Parker

Haley McKinney

Community Health

Amber Dixon

Jessica Howard

Tiffany Moon

Jonathan Sheppard

Brittany Duncan

Board of Directors

Heidi Ragan

Tucker Deal

Greg Lovins

Jessa Sebastian

Brenda Bradley Lowman

Bob Holder

Wysteria White

Billie Brandon Howell

Dave Robertson

Cindy Wallace

Greyson Summey

Wayne J. Miller, III.

Advisory Board

Hanes Boren

Gary Gloster

Richard Sparks

Harry Davis

Chuck Mantooth

Kim Shepherd

Charlie and Ann Baker

Brad Wilson

Bricca Sweet

Jan Rienerth

Jerry Moore

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We Are Committed to Helping Our Kids
and Our Community

Donate to change the trajectory of
a child’s life today