The Team
TYLER WILPS- President
Tyler was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Pittsburgh where he became a two time All-American and a National Finalist while he was studying to go to medical school. After graduation, traveling and serving in Haiti, South America, and Africa sparked a passion for helping others and getting resources to those who needed them most. His dedication shifted to developing the idea that is now Trek. Currently, Tyler is a 4th year medical student at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine set to graduate in 2021 and pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon. His goals are to combine his medical experience with his vision to help others, and to make a positive impact in global health through TREK Coalition.
KYLE FLICK- Vice President
Kyle was born and raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. in Maryland. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Upon graduation, Kyle decided to move to Denver, Colorado to work for Signpost, a software startup. During his time at Signpost, Kyle became interested in starting organizations from scratch, and learning how the successful ones scale. His time exploring the mountain west region inspired him to continuously learn about new cities and ways of life, and he questioned how he could impact the world around him. In the July of 2019, Kyle will be graduating from the IE Business School in Madrid, Spain with his MBA.
MICHAEL TULLY
Michael was born in and raised in New Jersey. He graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After graduating, he accompanied fellow founder Tyler across the United States and world to Sydney, Australia. In 2014, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to pursue his doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of the Sciences. Upon entering Physical Therapy school he was convinced that he would spend his career working with athletes, however his first clinical rotation exposed him to a much more impoverished patient population and this profoundly changed his outlook. Interacting with new cultures and helping people in need is ultimately how he plans on directing his career and life. Michael graduated with honors and attained his doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017. He currently resides in San Diego, California and is enrolled in a post-professional residency focused in outpatient orthopedics.
KRISTEN TIDEMAN- Marketing Director
Kristen was raised in the Philadelphia suburbs and crossed the state to study English, Spanish, and History at the University of Pittsburgh. Upon graduating, Kristen worked at an education + service nonprofit in Ecuador where she learned a little bit more Spanish. Kristen then returned to Philadelphia for two years and worked at a fast-paced branding and web agency in Center City. In September, 2019 she will begin a master’s program in Vancouver, BC studying philosophy.