---
title: "About - AMY Wellness Foundation"
canonicalUrl: "https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/"
excerpt: "Serving Avery • Mitchell • Yancey Counties         “Living in rural communities, it is important to ensure that the health and wellness of our citizens remains a […]"
datePublished: "2019-07-10T13:17:35+00:00"
dateModified: "2026-04-28T13:57:20+00:00"
---

About - AMY Wellness Foundation




[Donate](#FUNPBEUQIXN&type=stickybutton&align=left-center&color=2BAF78&size=45)

**

# Serving Avery • Mitchell • Yancey Counties

 

 

 

 

“Living in rural communities, it is important to ensure that the health and wellness of our citizens remains a top priority. AMY Wellness Foundation will be dedicated to supporting organizations that are making impactful and meaningful changes in the lives of our neighbors, families and friends.”

 — Dr. Randy Ellis, Retired Board Chair and Founding Member

![](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1119927-AMY-Awards-Map-1024x576-1.jpg)

## Who We Serve

We serve nonprofits and organizations working to improve the health and
wellness of individuals in our communities through capacity building, financial support and collaboration. Together, we will build an improved culture of health.

## Our Vision

AMY (Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) Wellness Foundation eliminates health barriers by partnering with organizations and community members who share our vision to transform the quality of health and wellness of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

## Our Board Of Directors

The AMY Wellness Foundation ensures diversity among its Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives from each county we serve and mirrors the demographic make-up of our three-county region.

[##
Starli McDowell](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/starli-mcdowell%e2%80%8b/)

[##
John Miller](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/john-miller/)

[##
John Blackburn](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/john-blackburn/)

[##
Barbara Middleton](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/barbara-middleton/)

[##
Brenda Howell Sparks](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/brenda-howell-sparks/)

[](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/lisa-schultz/)

[](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/about/duplicated-brenda-howell-sparks-147/)

## Staff

## Luke Howe

### Executive Director

![](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_0188-682x1024.jpg)

Contact
**[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfa3e1a7a0b8aa8faea2b6b8aaa3a3a1aabcbca9a0baa1abaebba6a0a1e1a0bda8)

## Caitlin Johnson

### Associate Director

![](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_0201-682x1024.jpg)

**Contact
**[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472469333522302d282f2934282907262a3e30222b2b29223434212832292326332e282969283520) 

## Morgan Bradley

### Development Officer

![](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_0162-682x1024.jpg)

**Contact
**[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#65084b0717040109001c2504081c120009090b001616030a100b0104110c0a0b4b0a1702)

## Blakey Chittick

### Project Manager

![](https://amywellnessfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_0073-682x1024.jpg)

**Contact
**[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#761458151e1f02021f151d36171b0f01131a1a18130505101903181217021f191858190411)