Gov. Stein Appoints Three WNC Leaders to Advisory Roles

The new appointees will advise the governor on Tropical Storm Helene recovery, juvenile justice, and children with disabilities.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has appointed three community leaders from Western North Carolina to serve on advisory committees. Leah Wong Ashburn, owner of Highland Brewing Company, will serve on the Governor's Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery. Keynon Lake, founder of the nonprofit My Daddy Taught Me That, will serve on the Juvenile Justice Planning Committee and the Gang Prevention and Intervention Taskforce. Catrina Buchanan, a mother of a child with disabilities and a pediatric medical assistant, will provide advice to the North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities.

Why it matters

These appointments bring important local voices and perspectives to statewide advisory committees tackling critical issues in Western North Carolina, including disaster recovery, juvenile justice, and access to services for children with disabilities. The appointees' deep community ties and firsthand experiences will help ensure the state's efforts are responsive to the unique needs of the region.

The details

Leah Wong Ashburn, the owner of Highland Brewing Company, will serve as an at-large member on the Governor's Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery. Ashburn plans to bring a business lens to the committee's work, while also highlighting the immediate needs for housing and infrastructure repair. Keynon Lake, the founder of the nonprofit My Daddy Taught Me That, will serve on the Juvenile Justice Planning Committee and the Gang Prevention and Intervention Taskforce. Lake believes a community-based approach is needed to address the root causes of youth joining gangs. Catrina Buchanan, a mother of a child with disabilities and a pediatric medical assistant, will provide advice to the North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities. Buchanan hopes to advocate for improved access to essential services, like occupational, physical, and speech therapy, closer to her community in Graham County.

  • On February 11, 2026, Governor Josh Stein announced the appointments.
  • Leah Wong Ashburn, Keynon Lake, and Catrina Buchanan were appointed to their respective advisory roles.

The players

Leah Wong Ashburn

The owner of Highland Brewing Company who will serve as an at-large member on the Governor's Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery.

Keynon Lake

The founder of the nonprofit My Daddy Taught Me That who will serve on the Juvenile Justice Planning Committee and the Gang Prevention and Intervention Taskforce.

Catrina Buchanan

A mother of a child with disabilities and a pediatric medical assistant in Graham County who will provide advice to the North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities.

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What they’re saying

“Recovery is complex. It incorporates an individual neighborhood bridge, to small businesses, to infrastructure that serves a community for decades.”

— Leah Wong Ashburn, Owner, Highland Brewing Company (Citizen Times)

“It has to be a community-based approach on all levels.”

— Keynon Lake, Founder, My Daddy Taught Me That (Citizen Times)

“All kids deserve access to the same quality resources without the burden of long travel times.”

— Catrina Buchanan, Parent and Pediatric Medical Assistant (Citizen Times)

What’s next

The advisory committees will begin meeting in the coming weeks to provide input and recommendations to Governor Stein on their respective focus areas.

The takeaway

These appointments demonstrate Governor Stein's commitment to incorporating diverse local perspectives from Western North Carolina into the state's policymaking process, which will be crucial for addressing the region's unique challenges around disaster recovery, juvenile justice, and access to services for children with disabilities.