Founding Executive Director
Angie Wheeler
Angie Wheeler is the heart and vision behind Anchored Wings Initiative. After the heartbreaking loss of her 20-year-old son, Austin, to suicide, Angie chose to transform her pain into purpose. Drawing from her lived experience, she is committed to building spaces where families and caregivers touched by suicide or other stigmatized loss can find compassion, connection, and hope.
Angie’s dedication to mental health and family support began long before AWI. She previously served as Co-Chair of the Huron Perth Centre for Children and Youth Family Advisory Committee and was a Chapter Leader with PCMH – Parents for Children’s Mental Health. She is also currently expanding her skills through a professional grief course, deepening her understanding of trauma-informed care and healing.
Her formal training includes safeTALK, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Mental Health First Aid, and facilitator certification. These experiences, combined with her leadership and lived expertise, equip her to guide others with both knowledge and empathy.
As Founder and Executive Director, Angie leads Anchored Wings with compassion, courage, and an unwavering belief that no one should ever have to walk through loss alone.
Board of Directors
Ashley Yanchus
Vice-Chair
Ashley Yanchus is a teacher, coach, and mentor who cares deeply about her students and athletes – both on and off the court. A former varsity athlete herself, she knows the value of perseverance, teamwork, and encouragement, and she carries those lessons into everything she does.
Ashley is also Austin’s sister. Losing him to suicide has further fueled her determination to be a voice for hope and connection. With Mental Health First Aid training, safeTALK, and compassion, Ashley hopes to remind individuals they are never alone. For Ashley, Anchored Wings Initiative is more than a cause. It’s a way to honor Austin’s life, support others in their darkest moments, and help build a world where mental health is met with understanding, care, and courage.
Stephanie Famme
Secretary
Stephanie is a former educator with 20 years of teaching experience, during which she saw firsthand how deeply mental health struggles can affect students’ lives, learning, and sense of hope. Alongside her professional experience, Stephanie has lived with depression and anxiety for many years, giving her a personal understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating mental health and suicidal ideation. She is passionate about advocacy, stigma reduction and creating safe, supportive spaces, where people feel seen, heard and supported on their journey toward healing. Stephanie also first met Austin when she was his kindergarten teacher.
Kathy Hansen
Treasurer
Coming Soon!