Marisa Sedlak, Executive Director
I am thrilled to be the Executive Director of Mountain Alliance. I volunteered with Mountain Alliance back in undergrad, and am excited to be back! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and a Masters in Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit management from Appalachian. In past jobs I have always been able to work with youth, so I am stoked to continue that in this position. I love working with youth and inspiring them to grow and learn! In my free time I love spending time with my family, pets, and friends. I also enjoy hiking, camping, and backpacking. Any day spent outdoors is an awesome day!
Rachel Witmer, Associate Director
I have been with Mountain Alliance for over 15 years - starting off as a volunteer and working my way up into my current role - and it has been an absolute blast! I have a degree in Recreation Management from ASU and minors in Non-Profit Management and Photography as well as 9 years of experience working at summer camps and several years working for ASU’s Outdoor Programs when I was in college. In my personal life, I love theatre, dance, and Disney!
My absolute favorite thing about working for Mountain Alliance has been creating connections with students - watching them grow, celebrating their successes, helping them work through challenges, and just simply getting to be a part of their lives and be someone they can lean on for support. As far as programs go, I absolutely LOVE Youth Service Day! It’s the best day of the year! It’s always so exciting to get a bunch of people together and do service all over the community. Alternative Spring Break trips have also always had a special place in my heart. I have been particularly fond of our “Service in Savannah” programs. I love the combination of serving at a variety of locations, exploring a really cool city, and spending time at the beach. They have always been such a fun experience - and watching dolphins swimming in the ocean at sunrise isn’t too bad, either!
Leah Mosher, Watauga County Program Director
Hello my name is Leah Mosher and I’m so excited to be the Watauga Program Director here at Mountain Alliance! I graduated from ASU with a degree in Recreation Management and a minor in leadership studies. I got involved with Mountain Alliance as a volunteer in 2020 and have stayed around ever since! Some of my most impactful memories have been through the outdoors and I hope to give the students a similar impactful experience.
In my free time I love all things outdoors ranging from hanging out basking in the sun to climbing and biking. I’m stoked to go on some adventures and create some lasting memories with Mountain Alliance!
Frances Healy, Avery County Program Director
Hello! I’m so glad to be the Avery County Program Director for Mountain Alliance. I spent most of my younger years in Denver, CO, where I first discovered my love for Adventure Education. The pursuit of a degree that would allow me to stay working with folks in this capacity brought me to Boone, NC, where I graduated from Appalachian State after studying Outdoor Experiential Education. I care deeply about the process of facilitating opportunities for growth, reflection, and the development of self-efficacy, and Mountain Alliance does a fantastic job of making sure those opportunities are accessible and abundant for high schoolers in the High Country. Some other things that fill my cup are climbing, yoga, snowboarding, ultimate frisbee, and spending time with my people, and I am so thrilled to be able to connect with both community and the outdoors here in Avery County!
Sarah Briggs, Program Administrator
I am so grateful to be a part of the Mountain Alliance team as our first Program Administrator! I grew up outside Philadelphia, but moved to the High Country in 2017 to pursue a bachelors in Recreation Management with a minor in Sustainable Development from App State. I have a passion for learning and growth through nature and experiential education and have loved experiencing this application through Mountain Alliance. In my free time, I will be found adventuring outdoors whether it be skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, or kayaking with my friends, partner & step-son or my dogs! I believe the support we provide creates a strong sense of belonging and community that can be carried into adulthood to build stronger relationships and confidence. I love working with youth as a mentor and watching them learn and grow as I get to do the same through them. I am so grateful for what Mountain Alliance does for our community and love being a part of such an inspiring set of students and staff.
Hannah Grober, Avery School’s Out Program Director
Hello! My name is Hannah Grober and I am so grateful to be a part of the Mountain Alliance team as the Avery School's Out Program Director! Since I was a young child growing up in Colorado, I have always loved recreating in the outdoors, and my love for nature has only continued to grow through my time here in Appalachia. I love learning about the science and history of the places I recreate, and I have a passion for fostering this love and curiosity in others. I am currently working on my bachelors degree at Appalachian State University in hopes of further pursuing a career in experiential education. In my free time I enjoy skiing, running, yoga, crafting, and live music- especially if I can do those things with my family and friends. I am looking forward to more adventures with Mountain Alliance where we can learn and grow together!