People
Emergent and Horizontal
Our inclusive and flexible approach to disaster relief leadership allows individuals to take on roles as challenges arise, encouraging quick action and creative solutions. We value collaboration, open communication, and a culture that encourages everyone to contribute.
Learn more about our story, our partners, and volunteering with us.
Micah Spain, Executive Director
“If it weren’t for the accident, I’d already be there.” Micah was recovering from a serious car accident when Hurricane Helene hit. In the immediate aftermath, Micah — who has strong ties to Henderson County through the Burning Man community — acted quickly to gather, organize, and verify essential resources for Western North Carolina.
Micah’s strategic oversight and behind-the-scenes coordination continue to be pivotal in the ongoing effort to house displaced individuals and families, as they work to link local relief initiatives and broader community networks. They are a dedicated advocate for social justice and community empowerment, with expertise in conflict management, organizational structure, and facilitation. Drawing on their experience organizing regional Burning Man events, Micah brings invaluable crisis management skills and a unique perspective on creating temporary infrastructure in high-pressure situations.
Micah envisions a future with stronger, more connected communities that can withstand the growing challenges of climate-related disasters. In their work with Appalachia Relief, Micah is focusing on long-term solutions that drive healing and create lasting change.
Luke Strauss, Project Manager
After Hurricane Helene, Luke took swift action to identify and support grassroots efforts, creating and refining systems to streamline disaster relief and amplify its impact. His work has been instrumental in organizing relief efforts in Southern Appalachia and strengthening the region’s emerging network of disaster relief leaders.
Luke is a systems thinker and strategic problem-solver with expertise in product data management and process optimization. At Appalachia Relief, Luke builds structures that enable others to work more effectively. From developing onboarding pathways for new volunteers to creating communication frameworks, his work ensures that critical tasks like vetting information and coordinating resources are scalable and efficient.
Luke envisions a future in which democratized access to knowledge through accessible educational resources and mentorship networks increase the capacity of individuals and communities to resiliently respond to disaster.
Kelly Takeda, Operations
Kelly is a digital operations specialist based in Holly Springs, NC. In the aftermath of the storm, Kelly quickly joined two volunteer groups focused on collecting and organizing crowdsourced information from people on the ground in Western North Carolina.
At Appalachia Relief, Kelly brings critical expertise in communication project management from over a decade of experience managing large-scale projects and complex digital systems for major publishing companies. She develops tech-enabled communication systems to make sure that critical information is vetted, updated in real-time, and efficiently communicated to those in need.
Kelly envisions a future where technology and communication empower communities to build resilience and navigate disaster recovery with confidence and clarity.
Zachary Wine, Board President
When Hurricane Helene struck, Zac’s immediate concern was for his brother and family in Swannanoa, North Carolina. After temporarily losing contact, he quickly took action to help them secure vital resources, including water and gas, while also coordinating their evacuation.
Recognizing the needs of WNC didn’t end with his brother, Zac became more involved as he saw the need for better organization and communication tools to help people affected by the disaster. Working remotely from Boston, Zac brings twenty years of expertise in digital marketing to his current work with Appalachia Relief, with a special focus on improving information dissemination in disaster relief where traditional methods may not be as effective and scalable solutions to enhance community resilience.
Zac envisions a long-term project focused on improving how disaster information is shared, ensuring that communities can quickly access the resources they need when the next disaster strikes. Under his guidance, Appalachia Relief offers innovative approaches to disaster recovery, grounded in a steadfast belief in the power of communities working together.
We are more than a network; we are a place where leadership grows, ideas thrive, and everyone has the opportunity to make a difference. Volunteer with us.