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Leadership
Nicky Wilks
Cofounder & Executive Director
Nicky Wilks - Cofounder & Executive Director
Nicky Wilks is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Journeymen Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering belonging, leadership, and personal growth for youth and their communities. Since 2016, he has led the organization’s growth from a start-up initiative into a multi-program institute serving hundreds of young people, parents, and educators each year.
With a background spanning leadership development, organizational culture, and education, Nicky has over 15 years of experience designing and facilitating transformational programs. His career includes roles in youth mentorship, high school teaching, equity leadership, and product management, alongside years of coaching in sports and professional settings.
Rooted in the values of connection, resilience, and curiosity, Nicky brings both strategic vision and hands-on facilitation expertise to his work. Outside of Journeymen, he enjoys martial arts, archery, adventure motorcycling, and exploring the outdoors with his wife Katelyn and their three children.
Duncan Endava
Program Director
Duncan Endava - Program Director
Duncan Endava is a lead facilitator and the Program Manager at Journeymen Institute, with over a decade of experience mentoring teens in leadership development, outdoor education, and rites of passage. He has worked and trained with organizations like Wilderness Awareness School, Rite of Passage Journeys, Journeymen Institute, and One Village. Passionate about creating spaces where teens can show up as their true selves, he brings a balance of humor, warmth, and grounded guidance to foster connection, growth, and authentic expression.
Kathy Lefanowicz
Board Director
Kathy Lefanowicz - Cofounder, Board of Directors and Treasurer
A CPA by training, Kathy has worked in Public Accounting, SEC Reporting and Real Estate Development, and volunteered these skills, frequently acting in a treasurer role for non-profit organizations.
Along with volunteering for co-op preschool, parent organizations, and education foundations, Kathy has also supported sports and drama programs, religious education at her family parish, and was an active Girl Scout and leader for over twenty years.
Appreciating the synergistic benefits of nature, character development and education, Kathy was moved to provide those benefits to youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity to gain those experiences.
When Nicky and Alex presented their vision to Kathy for Journeymen of nature-based mentorship and rites of passage youth development programs, Kathy joined them in founding the Journeymen Institute in 2016.
Alex Craighead
Board Director
Alex Craighead - Board of Directors
Alex Craighead is a dedicated mentor, educator, and co-founder of Journeymen Institute, committed to guiding young men through meaningful rites of passage. With a Master’s in Teaching from Seattle University and over 15 years of experience working with youth, he blends experiential learning, social-emotional development, and outdoor leadership to create transformative programs. A Vashon Island native, Alex is passionate about building a culture where young men feel supported, valued, and empowered to step into their full potential.
Colby Atwood
Board President
Colby Atwood - Board of Directors
Colby has been helping media companies adopt new technologies since the days of videotex and audiotex in the early 1980s. Through acquisitions and spin-offs, he’s worked for five different internet companies from 1996 to 2001, focusing on marketing and sales. When the dot-com bubble burst he joined Borrell Associates as it was forming in 2001, becoming the president of the company in 2006 and graduating to Senior Advisor in 2019. In addition to serving on the board, Colby also volunteers with the organization as a mentor for middle school boys.
Catherine Briggs
Board Director
Kevin McMurdo - Board of Directors
A Vashon neighbor since 1997, Kevin has been inspired to support Journeymen’s work by their commitment and approach to helping the youth of Vashon move into adulthood with confidence and empathy.
In addition to his work with Journeymen, Kevin is currently the President of the Vashon Center for the Arts Board of Trustees. Kevin and his wife, Jenny spend time in community service and raise Golden Retrievers.
Selin Demir
Board Director
Patrick Phelan - Board of Directors & Mentor
Journeymen found me at a time of transition in my life. I had recently quit my job, realizing I found my work unfulfilling, and embarked on a quarter-life-crisis road trip around the country. When I came back to the Seattle area and moved out to Vashon, I met with Nicky and Alex, and impulsively signed up to mentor 23 middle-school boys in the forest for five days.
This trip opened my eyes—I felt inspired by the Journeymen community and curriculum, and I learned so much by connecting with these boys. The experience made me realize I wanted to devote all my energy and my career to helping teenage youth deal with the challenging transition into adulthood.
I received a Masters in Psychology and now as a licensed therapist help suicidal teens build the skills they need to live the life they want to live. I continue to volunteer with Journeymen because I’m awe-struck to see the power of adults modeling vulnerability, and the courage and vulnerability of teens to share their authentic selves with us. And because it’s fun to pretend to be a kid in nature again!
Eric Hecht
Board Director
Patrick Phelan - Board of Directors & Mentor
Journeymen found me at a time of transition in my life. I had recently quit my job, realizing I found my work unfulfilling, and embarked on a quarter-life-crisis road trip around the country. When I came back to the Seattle area and moved out to Vashon, I met with Nicky and Alex, and impulsively signed up to mentor 23 middle-school boys in the forest for five days.
This trip opened my eyes—I felt inspired by the Journeymen community and curriculum, and I learned so much by connecting with these boys. The experience made me realize I wanted to devote all my energy and my career to helping teenage youth deal with the challenging transition into adulthood.
I received a Masters in Psychology and now as a licensed therapist help suicidal teens build the skills they need to live the life they want to live. I continue to volunteer with Journeymen because I’m awe-struck to see the power of adults modeling vulnerability, and the courage and vulnerability of teens to share their authentic selves with us. And because it’s fun to pretend to be a kid in nature again!
Scott Bonney
Board Director
Scott Bonney - Board of Directors
Scott Bonney is a former senior executive in the telecommunications industry. Now he teaches at the Vashon Island High School Student Link program, and is a swim instructor and coach. He is a Board member of VARSA, the Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse, where he affiliates with youth-serving organizations. Scott is an avid open water swimmer and competes in ocean races around the country.
Ellie Arellano
Operations
Ellie Arellano - Operations Manager
Ellie brings years of experience in youth-focused programs and operations to her role as Operations Manager at Journeymen. She has a background in coaching young people and is a mom of two energetic boys, ages 6 and 9. Ellie loves spending time outdoors—whether hiking, exploring, or tending her garden.
Davis Endava
Equity & Belonging
Davis Endava - Director of Equity & Belonging
Davis serves as the Director of Equity and Belonging at One Village, where her responsibility is to guide and support the staff, community, and the Equity Council. Her focus is on flexibility, accountability, and adaptive growth. She is dedicated to fostering environments that allow everyone to flourish, grounded in the principles of equity, belonging, and justice. She also serves as the Program Manager of Youth Development for City University.
Woody Pollock
Logistics
Woody Pollock - Logistics Manager
Woody has worked in the fields of leadership, education, and training for over 20 years, and has supported individuals, families, and groups as they connect more deeply with themselves and others in a variety of settings. He specializes in working with youth, adults, and diverse populations in a therapeutic counseling setting.
In addition to his work with Journeymen, has extensive background in alternative and experiential education, working with youth as a mentor and vocational teacher, and with adults as a facilitator for leadership and group development.