APNC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Communications Specialist
Aidan McGinty recently graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL, where he currently lives. Aidan was the Editor-in-Chief of The Torch, Roosevelt University's campus newspaper. He brings immense creative talent in graphic design and communications to the APNC team. You can usually find Aidan out at the lake or playing video games with his 2 cats, Hashbrown and Blueberry.
Ariel Keener started planning activities and conferences for young single adults at her church and then graduated to volunteering with as many organizations planning fundraisers and galas as she possibly could. Ariel went back to college in 2014 to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Event and Meeting Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Ariel's love for the non-profit world runs deep, and she found her true calling at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. With all the changes that occurred in the world in 2020, Ariel decided to return home to North Carolina to be closer to her family. Ariel enjoys camping, the beach, and snuggles with her sweet dog, Olive.
Job Titles:
- Prevention Support Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice President / Western Carolina University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Treasurer / Borderbelt Behavioral Health, LLC
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- North Central Region VP / Alcohol / Drug Council of North Carolina
Job Titles:
- Partnerships for Success Coordinator
Elizabeth Montgomery (she/her) has a background in substance use prevention for over 20 years, which includes providing technical assistance to prevention providers statewide, coalition building, directing a local coalition, training on various topics, strategic planning, building non-profit infrastructure, and youth team development in addition to teaching public health at ECU. Prior to her public health career, Elizabeth worked in the corporate setting in international sales, supply management, human resources, and both television and radio reporting. Elizabeth spends her free time traveling and socializing with family, reading, and playing with her German Shepherd and miniature schnauzer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Scholastic Prevention
Emmy Knowles (she/her) knew in the 8th grade she wanted to be a social worker and hasn't veered since. As a macro social worker, Emmy has a deep love for nonprofit work! She has a background in volunteer management, programming, event planning, and operations. Her professional strengths are authenticity and organization. She is passionate about the work because of all the love and light the community poured into her growing up. She has dedicated her life to putting it back out into the world. When she's not working, Emmy teaches yoga and loves to snuggle with her two pups, Waffles & Toast!
Job Titles:
- Practice Improvement Manager at Addiction Professionals
- Training & Technical Assistance Center Director
Felicia Roberson is the Prevention Practice Improvement Manager at Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, coordinating services for the NC Substance Abuse Prevention COVID-19 Supplemental Funds Block Grant. Most recently, Ms. Roberson provided six years of leadership as a member of the management team at Walgreens in Troy, AL while working as a Training and Technical Assistance consultant in the states of North Carolina and Ohio. Throughout her 30+ years of experience, she has successfully provided strong support and guidance to numerous state-funded substance abuse prevention organizations and their staff members while strategically implementing efficient and innovative practices and promoting an outcome-based field of practice. In addition, Felicia assisted with the creation of a highly effective training system within the state of Illinois during her tenure as the Training Manager at Prevention First. There, she also conducted the necessary research to develop and conduct highly professional solutions to improve performance. The solutions included: multi-faceted training and materials, factsheets, newsletters, etc. while adhering to state standards, regulations and professional ethics. Felicia has a master's degree in Communications with a concentration in Human Performance and Training and Organizational Development.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Immediate past President / Retired SSA DHHS
Job Titles:
- Partnerships for Success Director
Gretchen Summerville (she/her) is currently overseeing the programmatic technical assistance and support for the communities funded through the NC Partnership for Success grant. Gretchen has been passionate about social justice since childhood which has guided her life and career path. She has worked in North Carolina and Nevada across the spectrum of substance misuse and HIV prevention, harm reduction, disease intervention, treatment, and recovery since 1996. With a client and community-centered approach, Gretchen has served statewide public health departments, regional medication-assisted recovery providers, and community-based prevention organizations. In recent years, she has expanded community health prevention work into health equity and addressing social determinants of health. Gretchen is also a kettlebell trainer, outdoor adventure lover, and dedicated mom.
Job Titles:
- Recovery Support Services Coordinator
Hillary Belk has been in long term recovery since July 10, 2008. She has been an active recovery community member since that time. In the past 11 years, she has worked in the recovery field in various positions. She began working at UNCC in Fall of 2011. Belk helped to implement the first collegiate recovery community in North Carolina making her the first graduate in the state from one of these programs. In the UNC system there are currently over 10 programs in the state and that number is actively growing. As a direct result of her involvement, it has led her into different areas of focus including alcohol and drug counseling, Recovery coaching, Life coaching, Reiki-Healing Arts and an entrepreneur.
Job Titles:
- College Outreach & Implementation Liaison
Jessica Garza (she/her) has a background in social work, where her skills in research, program development and management, policy analysis, and advocacy have helped her tremendously as she's grown from intern to now a part of the team! Her professional strength is incorporating youth voices into the ever-growing field! Jessica believes people who use drugs deserve compassionate care and equitable access to resources. Jessica's favorite things include chai lattes, her ten-year-old Chiweenie, Sally, and her mom's Arroz con Gandules!
Job Titles:
- Collegiate Prevention Coordinator
Lauren Stone (she/her) has spent almost a decade in the nonprofit sector, helping several small North Carolina nonprofits conduct outreach, run programming, and provide evaluation. Lauren graduated from The Ohio State University with her Masters in Social Work and knew right away that she wanted to continue working for nonprofits, helping to give back to her community. She considers her attention to detail, research skills, and aptitude for developing community relationships her professional super powers. In her spare time you can find Lauren throwing axes in her axe league or spending time with her dog, Jessie.
Job Titles:
- North East Region VP / East Carolina University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- North West Region VP
Lorraine Musselman acquired her CPA license in 1992, and holds a BS in accounting from Marist College, an MBA from Northeastern University and an AAS in Equestrian Studies from Findlay College (now University of Findlay). She has held positions in the non-profit industry in North Carolina including the Executive Director of the United Way of Franklin County, the Vice President of Finance for the United Way of Wake County (now part of the Triangle United Way), and Finance Manager for Diversified Opportunities (a sheltered workshop) in Wilson, NC. She has served as treasurer for multiple nonprofit organizations, including the United States Dressage Federation (currently), the North Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Association, and Triangle Radio Reading Service (now Radio Reading Service) in Raleigh.
Lorraine grew up in the Northeast, living in New York, Oklahoma and Massachusetts, before moving to North Carolina in 1991. She is a co-owner of Cattolica Farm in Zebulon, NC. She currently owns 3 horses and competes in Dressage.
She and her husband, Paul, enjoy the outdoors and traveling when they can get away from the farm. Their "children" all have 4 legs, currently 3 dogs and 2 cats in addition to the horses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President Elect
Michael Roberts is an Asheville native and a person in long term recovery. He has extensive experience in business development and is an active member of his local recovery community. Michael has a gift for connecting with others and is passionate about helping people find recovery and realize their potential. Outside of work, you can find Michael shopping for his favorite Jordans.
Morgan Coyner (she/her) shapes and guides APNC's communications strategy and serves as the point of contact for organizational, affiliate, and corporate members. Morgan has a background in nonprofit work including grant writing, fundraising, strategic planning, data management and analysis, branding, marketing, and communications. Her professional strengths are building relationships, combining strategy with creativity, and helping others find the right words to fit their communication needs. Morgan believes that people who use drugs deserve the chance to find life long recovery, and that advocating for better, more inclusive health policies is a crucial part of ending the overdose epidemic. Morgan's favorite things include Diet Coke, reading, her family, and finding the perfect notebook and pen combination.
Robin Colbert has over 25 years of experience in executive leadership. Her passion is in Victim Advocacy as it relates to Interpersonal and Intimate Partner Violence and in justice programs through her role as Victim Advocate Commissioner of the NC Innocence Inquiry Commission and a board member of the Just Detention International. Robin is a servant leader with a deep understanding of human services and meeting community needs. Robin is an avid reader, loves retail therapy, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Addiction Professionals
Sara Howe (she/her) is CEO of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC). Prior to coming to APNC, she held leadership positions with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health (IABH). As the executive vice president of IPHCA, Sara spearheaded the successful launch of a new virtual conferencing program to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the existing services and support infrastructure. Prior to her time at IPHCA, Sara served as the CEO of the IABH for nearly 20 years. During her tenure with IABH, she led the association through a significant mission and membership expansion. Sara's role as a youth leader in addiction prevention programs seeded her passion for health promotion and wellness. Her experience as a breast cancer survivor has significantly fueled her passion and commitment to improving healthcare.
Sara holds bachelor's and master's degrees in health promotion from Purdue University and an MBA from Purdue's Daniels School of Business. Sara previously served on the board of directors and as public policy chair of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Sara's favorite hobby is watching the New York Yankees and her favorite athlete is Mariano Rivera. Sara has made a guest appearance on the Dr. Oz show and learned how to shoot free throws from Michael Jordan.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- South West Region VP
Tanya Galloway spent 25 years of her career working in medical software support and was ready for a change! Prior to joining APNC, she worked on several projects including working with SAFE Project to help organize the first North Carolina Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy. With her Associate's degree in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Business Education/Information Processing, Tanya's organizational skills and background are an asset to the APNC team. Her passion for animals (especially dogs) has also helped her to fit right in with the rest of the APNC staff!