Staff + Leadership

Karen Pershing, MPH, CPS II

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Karen Pershing serves as the Executive Director of Metro Drug Coalition. A 30 plus year veteran of public health, she has devoted her career to improving the health of families in Knoxville. Karen works with local and state policymakers to advocate for laws that help prevent substance misuse and its consequences.

Janet Brewer, Grant Professional Certified* 

DIRECTOR OF GRANTS

Janet is responsible for grant research, development, writing, submission, and reporting for Metro Drug Coalition. She is a certified grant professional with over 30 years of grant writing, finance and administration. *Grant Professional Certified by the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI) http://www.grantcredential.org  

Ashlee Crouse, CPRS

REGIONAL FAITH-BASED COORDINATOR

Ashlee is the point of contact for the faith community in establishing recovery programs for the east region. He provides training and educational presentations, as well as coordination of special events.

Melissa Cunningham

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Melissa is the Intake Coordinator at for Metro Drug Coalition. She assists individuals seeking recovery services and connects them to the appropriate recovery specialist. She bridges individuals seeking sober living assistance, detox, treatment, recovery coaching or recovery meetings to the best possible resource.

Suzanne French

BOOKKEEPER

Suzanne has over 30 years of experience working as a Business Manager dealing with Finance, Payroll, and Human Resources.  She is currently the Director of Public Relations for the East TN Chapter of the American Payroll Association, former Board member of the Tennessee Statewide Board (APA), and former Board member for the Carter Community Pool.

Courtney Fuson

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Courtney is responsible for coordinating, developing, and executing communications for the organization. She assists with organization strategic planning and development to assure continuity of mission/vision/implementation activities.

Miria Galyon

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Miria directly supports MDC’s Executive Director. She performs clerical duties and organizes special event projects, schedules events and manages communications. Miria has over 20 years of experience in assistant management. Miria is a Knoxville native and has a passion for serving others.

Jason Goodman, CPRS, RCP

DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

Jason is responsible for the oversite of MDC’s peer recovery staff and recovery initiatives. This will help lay the foundation for other support activities planned as The Gateway community center becomes operational.

Jennifer Knisley

Regional Lifeline Director

Jennifer facilitates recovery efforts across the sixteen county area of Region 2. She educates those in recovery and the community with a specific goal in mind, reducing the stigma of substance misuse by establishing lifelines and support services for individuals in need.

Courtney Niemann, MS, CPS II

SENIOR PREVENTION COORDINATOR

Courtney serves on the primary prevention team at MDC. She oversees several substance misuse prevention grants and the Mental Health First Aid program. This program teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in the community.

Misty McPhetridge, MSW

COALITION COORDINATOR

Misty serves on the Primary Prevention team at MDC and supports the Community Coalition. She strives to create and maintain lasting partnerships across all sectors in the community in order to better address conditions that lead to substance misuse.

Sydney Ross

YOUTH INITIATIVES COORDINATOR

Sydney is on the primary prevention team at MDC. She works with youth in Knox County who may be at risk for developing substance use disorders, have a personal connection to addiction, or are passionate about prevention and mental health.

Jessica Stanley, CPRS, CYAPSS

REGIONAL OVERDOSE PREVENTION SPECIALIST (ROPS)

Jessica currently serves Knox County as the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS). She provides educational trainings on the administration of Naloxone, reducing stigma and harm reduction.

Katina Woods

CCAR RECOVERY COACH

Katina serves as a CCAR Certified Recovery Coach. She promotes recovery and removes barriers and obstacles to a recovery pathway, offering strength based support, connects recoverees with recovery support services, promotes optimism and wellness planning.

She has a passion in the recovery community and is a native of East Tennessee.

Emory Young, LADAC II, NCAC I, SAP, CPRS, RAS

CCAR RECOVERY COACH

Emory serves as a CCAR Certified Recovery Coach. . He will promote recovery, remove barriers, connect recoverees with recovery support services, as well as encourage hope, optimism, and healthy living.