Meet the Team

Marisa Cornell, EdD

Marisa joined the staff of MRJC in 2008 and now serves as the Executive Director, as well as Program Director for the 24th Judicial Drug Treatment Courts, Watauga Drug Treatment Court 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.

Lindsey Allen, AA

Lindsey serves as the Juvenile/Adult Mediator and Sentencing Circles Coordinator in Avery and Mitchell Counties. She has been an active community member, teacher, and mentor in the High Country for over 10 years. She advocates for the right of every community member to have access to peaceful conflict resolution.

Theresa Banks, EdD

Theresa serves as the Drug Treatment Court Coordinator for Madison and Yancey Counties. She has a B.A. from Mars Hill College and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ruby Boisclair, BS

Ruby joined MRJC in 2021 and serves as the Youth and Family Mediator for Ashe County and the Sentencing Circles Coordinator for Watauga County. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Social Science and is passionate about the unique culture of Appalachia and providing services for its community members.

Mollie Bolick, MSW

Mollie is the Center Director of Homestead Recovery Center. She previously served as Program Coordinator for Recovery on the Inside since 2018, and the Program Coordinator for the Watauga County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program since 2020. 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.

Joey Caudill, MDiv

Joey joined MRJC in 2019 and works as a District Criminal Court mediator in the counties of Ashe, Wilkes and Yadkin. Joey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Appalachian State University as well as an M.Div from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He resides in Wilkes County.

Liana Epps, BS, NCPSS

Liana joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as the Peer Services Coordinator at Homestead Recovery Center. Liana earned a BS degree in Psychology from 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.

Valerie Fitch, JD

Valerie serves as an Juvenile/Adult Mediator, primarily in Watauga County. Originally from San Antonio, Texas she earned her Bachelor of Arts, as well as her Juris Doctorate, from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. She enjoys helping others find peaceful and productive solutions to their conflicts.

Vanessa Henley, BA

Vanessa began with MRJC in 2012 as a Juvenile & Adult mediator. She now serves as Coordinator and Case Manager for the Drug Treatment Courts in Avery and Mitchell Counties. She has a B.A. from Mars Hill University.

Dale Hudler, LCSWA, NCPSS

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 and Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Associate. A long time resident of Ashe County, Dale served as Mayor of West Jefferson from 2008 - 2012.

Mackenzie Laney, MSW

Mackenzie Laney joined MRJC in 2020
and serves as a Community & Program Specialist and 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.

Dan Slate, MS

Dan Slate joined MRJC in 2020 serving Yancey and Madison Counties as a Juvenile/District Court Mediator/Sentencing Circles coordinator. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice, Auburn University, MS in Management, Lesley College, and Emergency Services Chaplaincy Certification. Dan is retired USAFR and a 20 year resident of Avery County.

Sydney Styron, LCSWA

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 her Master’s degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University in 2022. Sydney is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Associate and provides clinical services inside the detention center.

Tripp Taylor, BS, NCPSS

Tripp joined MRJC in 2022 and serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the Recovery on the Inside and Watauga LEAD Programs. 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.