Meet The Team
Who We Are

Executive Director
Marisa Cornell, EdD
Marisa Cornell joined the staff of MRJC in 2008 and now serves as Executive Director, as well as Program Director for the 24th JD Drug Treatment Courts, Watauga DTC Coordinator, and all-purpose mediator. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling (Expressive Arts Therapy), a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and an extensive history of advocacy around restorative processes, community-building, peaceful conflict resolution, and experiential learning.

Program Coordinator
Mollie Furman, MSW
Mollie has served as Program Coordinator for Recovery on the Inside since 2018. She joined MRJC in 2020 and now also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Watauga County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program. Mollie holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Social Work from Appalachian State University, is a Watauga County native and received the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Award for Non-Profit Business Professional for 2021.

Clinical Case Manager
Dale Hudler, LCSW-A, NCCPSS
Dale joined MRJC in 2021 and serves as the Clinical Case Manager for the Watauga LEAD Program. Dale received his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University and is a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist. A long time resident of Ashe County, Dale served as Mayor of West Jefferson from 2008 - 2012.

Clinical Case Manager
Sydney Styron, LCSW-A
Sydney joined MRJC in 2021 as an intern and now serves as the Clinical Case Manager for the Recovery on the Inside Program. Sydney received her Master's degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University, Bachelor's degree in Social Work from East Tennessee State University, and is a Watauga County native.

Community and Programs Specialist
Mackenzie Laney, MSW
Mackenzie joined MRJC in 2020 and is the Project Director of MRJC's Watauga Healthy Workforce & Recovery Ecosystem Project. Mackenzie earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Public History and a Master of Social Work with a Communities and Organizations concentration from Appalachian State University.

Peer Support Specialist
Tripp Taylor, BS, NCCPSS
Tripp joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the Recovery on the Inside and LEAD programs. Tripp received a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education & Theatre Arts from Appalachian State University and is a Watauga County native. Over the years, Tripp has called both North Carolina and Wyoming home, serving as a Wildland-Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, while also standing as the Chief Hike-Leader for ‘The Jason Project, Inc’; an organization that caters to individuals struggling with addiction, by implementing ‘Wilderness-Therapy’ as a deliberate-conduit in ones’ journey to healing and finding serenity.

Peer Support Specialist
Giovanni Llibre, MBA, NCCPSS
Giovanni joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the LEAD Program. Giovanni holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a trained Professional Health Coach through Duke University and is a certified SMART Recovery Facilitator.

Program Associate
Liana Saffioti
Liana joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Program Associate for both LEAD and ROI programs. Liana is currently studying Psychology at Penn State and plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work. Liana is originally from Florida and has a passion for healing through the arts.

MSW Intern
Sarah Spencer
Sarah began interning in 2022 while completing her Master's Degree from Appalachian State University. She is originally from Edenton, NC and is passionate about this work because she gets to see people get a second chance and play a role in helping them succeed.

Criminal Justice Intern
Jonathon Brand
Jonathan is interning with LEAD for the Fall 2022 semester while he completes his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Lees- McRae College.
Former Interns
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BSW Intern
Katherine Magee
Katherine completed a volunteer internship for Watauga LEAD in 2022 while completing her Bachelors Degree of Social Work from Appalachian State University.

Sociology Intern
Taylor Hill
Taylor interned for Watauga LEAD in 2022 while completing her Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University.
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Political Science Intern
Brayden Benkiel- Robinson
Brayden interned for the MRJC in Summer 2022 and served as an intern for the Watauga Drug Treatment Court and LEAD programs while working towards a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University.

MSW Intern
Carolina Johnson
Caroline interned for MRJC and Watauga LEAD from 2021-2022 while working towards her Master's Degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University.

WCSO BSW Intern
Emily Motsinger
Emily interned for the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and Watauga LEAD in 2022 while working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University.