Drew Shelfer has dedicated more than 25 years to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families across North Carolina through leadership and direct service in social services, education, and juvenile justice. His career reflects a deep commitment to experiential learning, community-based practice, and strengthening systems that support resilience, growth, and long-term success.
Drew began his professional journey in Western North Carolina in 1999 with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, where he worked in an alternative prerelease wilderness therapeutic program for incarcerated youth preparing to return to their communities. This experiential learning model focused on building life skills, accountability, resilience, and personal capacity to support successful reintegration and positive community outcomes. Drew also served as a high school guidance counselor, bringing a counseling and youth development perspective to educational settings and student support. Throughout his career, he remained committed to empowering individuals, fostering resilience, and improving pathways to healthier, more connected communities.
In 2003, after earning his Master’s in Counseling from Western Carolina University, Drew joined the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services as a frontline child welfare social worker in assessments. Over the course of his career, he served in a variety of roles supporting children, families, and communities through crisis intervention, case management, systems collaboration, and strengths-based practice.
For the past 12 years, Drew served as an Intake Supervisor with Buncombe County DHHS, leading an integrated team of adult and child intake social workers responsible for assessing reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency. In this leadership role, he oversaw case screening and risk assessment processes to ensure timely, accurate, and policy-compliant responses for vulnerable individuals, children, and families. He managed high-volume, high-pressure environments while maintaining a strong focus on professionalism, collaboration, and client-centered service delivery. Drew also mentored and developed staff, strengthened assessment and documentation practices, facilitated case consultations, and used data and policy trends to improve processes and enhance service outcomes.
Drew earned his Master’s in Counseling from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Drew lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina. One of his most meaningful personal accomplishments was completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, an experience that continues to shape his perspective on resilience, perseverance, and personal growth.
