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 am so excited to be moving in the the new role of Associate Director of Mountain Alliance! I have been with Mountain Alliance for over a decade, starting off as a volunteer and working my way up into my current role. It has been quite a wild ride! 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 new 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!
Tom Pannill, Avery County Program Director
I am so excited to step into this role and be a part of the Avery County community! I have have a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Appalachian State University with a minor in Recreation Management and have a Wilderness First Responder certification with epinephrine training and CPR. Some of my experiences with different outdoor programs including as Summer Program Director at Holston Presbytery Camp, 4 years in wilderness therapy with Trails Carolina, and as former Logistics Manager at North Carolina Outward Board School (Table Rock). I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2019 and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro! I love App State sports (he’s a member of the Yosef Club!), all outdoor adventures, disc golf, trivia, and country music.
Sarah Briggs, Watauga County School’s Out Director
I am so excited to be a part of the Mountain Alliance team as the new Watauga County School's Out Director! I grew up near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but moved to the High Country in 2017 to pursue a degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University. I love traveling and adventuring outdoors whether it be skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, or kayaking, and bringing my fluffy golden retriever husky mix with me. I love working with youth as a mentor and watching them learn and grow while they teach me all kinds of things. I am so grateful for what Mountain Alliance does for our awesome high school students and can't wait to be a part of the inspiring and transformative experiences at School's Out! I am looking forward to adventuring on more outdoor experiential trips with the students and bringing artistic and educational activities to School's Out!