WYLD STAFF
Luke Jarvis
Founder + Executive Director
Luke is the founding Executive Director of WYLD and has been in Wilkes County his entire life. He is a graduate of Wilkes Central High School, Wilkes Community College, and Appalachian State University where he received his degree in Recreation Management and Nonprofit Management.
He has been involved in the Non-profit realm since 2015 and has always had a passion for working and empowering young people and helping to better his community. During the COVID Pandemic Luke, along with a few other peers, identified a huge need for youth programming in Wilkes. Youth were experiencing a mental health crisis, there was no such thing as “normal” anymore, and kids were missing opportunities to just be kids.
After about 18 months of planning, WYLD was born. Luke has always had a passion for empowering others to be their best and true selves, and what better way to serve the youth of his hometown than by helping them find ways to do just that?
Katherine Johnston
Programs Director
Katherine has been a part of Wilkes Youth Life Development (WYLD) since September 2022. She feels that working side-by-side with youth who are inspired to make a difference in their community is so refreshing!
While she was in college at Western Carolina University, she began volunteering in her community in Sylva, NC. She has experience fundraising, conducting community outreach, and leadership. She was the president of an Honors Society, and in that role she was tasked with creating service events that students could partake in. When she moved back home, she knew that being involved in her community in Wilkes was something that she wanted to dive into.
WYLD has given her many opportunities to get involved and learn about the ways that she can make a lasting impact in Wilkes. Katherine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Health Sciences and is currently working on obtaining a Masters of Science in Public Health from Appalachian State University.
Ryan Winebarger
Project Coordinator
Ryan has been a WYLD employee for one year. He is the project coordinator for the Teen Action Council. He works closely with our school system to teach Teen Mental Health First Aid to 9th graders. Ryan is an avid disc golf enthusiast who grew up in Boomer, North Carolina, and is a passionate advocate for mental health. One of his favorite aspects of working with WYLD is the opportunity to engage with the youth of Wilkes County and promote mental health awareness.
Rebekah Franklin
Project Coordinator – The Change Wagon
Rebekah is a native of Wilkes County, but she has lived in West Texas for the past eleven years, and has finally come home! She has only been with WYLD for a short time, but she is really looking forward to giving back to the community and being involved with the youth of Wilkes County. In her spare time, she loves to cook, paint, and spend time with her wild nieces and nephews.
Alexis Eads
Social Media Coordinator
Alexis has been with WYLD for almost one year. She is studying psychology at UNC Charlotte. Once she graduates in May 2025, she will pursue a Master of Art in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys pottery and spending time in nature. What she loves most about working at WYLD is having the chance to support an organization she would have appreciated during her teenage years. Her favorite WYLD program is the Back-to-School Bash.
WYLD Board
The WYLD Board of Directors is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for young people to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.
At WYLD, we believe in the power of collaboration and partnership. We’re proud to be community-based and work with organizations, businesses, and individuals who share our vision and commitment to youth development. By leveraging the collective resources and expertise of our partners, we are able to create a stronger and more supportive network for our young people.
We are grateful for the support and trust of our community, and we are dedicated to being transparent and accountable in our operations. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of the youth in Wilkes County.
Jane Casarez
Board President, Community Impact NC
Jessica Hammer
Board Secretary, In the Garden Counseling
Bryan Terry
Board Treasurer, NC State Highway Patrol
Victoria Brooks
Board Attorney, High Country Estate Law
Jeff Walker
Board Member, Wilkes Recovery Revolution
Thomas Salley
Board Member, Wilkes County Tourism
Drew Brown
Board Member, Blue Ridge Ear, Nose, and Throat
Luke Jarvis
Ex Officio, WYLD Executive Director
Alicia Roberts
Ex Officio, Teen Action Council President
The Ones Who Make
Our Work Possibile!
