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

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.

Case Manager

Sydney Styron, BSW

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

Program Associate

Mackenzie Laney, MSW

Mackenzie joined MRJC in 2020 and is the Project Director of MRJC's Watauga County Workforce Reentry Plan. Mackenzie also serves as the Sentencing Circles Coordinator for Watauga County. 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

Tripp joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the Watauga LEAD Program. Tripp received his degree as a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education & Theatre Arts from Appalachian State University and is also 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

Giovanni joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the Watauga County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program. Giovanni holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He trained as a professional Health Coach at Duke University and he 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

Caroline Johnson, BSW

Caroline joined the MRJC team in 2021 and serves as an intern for MRJC and the LEAD program. Caroline received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University and is from Rockwell, North Carolina. 

WCSO BSW Intern

Emily Motsinger

Emily joined the WCSO and MRJC team in 2022 and serves as a BSW intern from Appalachian State University for the Watauga County Sheriff's Office. Emily will be receiving her Bachelor's degree in Social Work in May 2022 and pursuing her Master's of Social Work in August 2022, and is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.