Meet Our Mentors

Skylar Wilson, MA
Executive Director
Skylar has led rites of passage events and programs for the past twenty years for both teenagers and adults. He has partnered with many organizations, including the Esalen Institute, the Parliament of the World’s Religions, the Cosmic Mass, and many high schools and universities throughout the Bay Area to create impactful healing experiences.

He received a master’s degree in philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2012, where he focused on the ways that humans form meaning, identity, and connection within relationships.

Skylar is a passionate counselor, parent, writer, and athlete. He loves nothing more than spending time in the natural world.

Colin Newkirk
Colin has led 20+ Rites of Passage Adventure Weekends over the years. Through his steady presence, captivating storytelling and grounded sense of enchantment, he uplifts our community while holding its center.

Colin has been both a member of our Board of Directors and Board President on multiple occasions – stepping up when needed to hold space as we grow as an organization.

Perhaps where Colin smiles the widest and shines the brightest is when he’s leading our Crafting Passages programs, as well as in other offerings designed to teach students how to build and create their visions. Colin consistently goes the extra mile to guide and support Journeymen students.

In a recent interview, he said “The work we do at Journeymen is absolutely essential to the wellbeing of humankind. This work has been lost, largely to time, and the essential nature of this work is such that if we don’t do it, we’re going to get in deeper and deeper trouble as we go along as a civilization.”

Kinsman Beal
Kinsman joined Journeymen as a volunteer for our Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend in 2022 and immediately looked for more opportunities to volunteer with our after-school Community Groups and Crafting Passages workshops.

Originally from Northern California, Kinsman has a background working and volunteering for collaborative makerspaces, along with volunteer coordinating and site operations for transformative music festivals.

His passion for creative problem-solving, community engagement, and connecting empathetically helps us develop our mentorship programs and support young men and boys in our community.

Brent Skidmore
Brent has taught at universities and craft programs across the country for 26 years, including Penland, Arrowmont, Anderson Ranch, and Peter’s Valley. Since 2007, he’s worked at UNC Asheville as Assistant Professor of Art and Director of Craft Studies.

He also ran his own studio for eight years, and his work has been shown extensively across the U.S. and internationally.

Brent served as a board member for the Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design from 2007 to 2015, and for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund from 2007 to 2014. Brent regularly staffs our weekend Rites of Passage experiences and participates in our ongoing mentoring program.

Benjamin “Wolf” Boudreaux
“I moved to Asheville from Raleigh in the spring of 2021. I’m a singer-songwriter, certified health and life coach, and passionate mentor.

I help others bridge the gap between dreams and reality, guiding them toward personal growth and fulfillment. I’m currently obtaining my Social Health Facilitator certification through Seek Healing to deepen my ability to support others.

In my free time, I enjoy playing disc golf, hiking, and spending time with my dog. I’ve been mentoring with Journeymen since January 2025, committed to empowering young men on their journey of self-discovery and purpose.”

Christopher Seelig
“I am a local musician, family healing support specialist, and overall loving community member. I have lived in Asheville for a year, and been with Journeymen for a little less than a year. I am passionate about helping people write their own music, to support their healing process, as well as well to help them refine and bring their heart’s messages to the world. I am excited to continue to meet and support inspiring young men to walk the path of their dreams.”