Our Team
Our team members are the very fabric of our organization and are living examples of Cornerstone’s values of Compassion, Integrity, Service, and Humility. We are fortunate to have a dedicated, talented group of people who work each and every day to make our recovery community the most incredible place to be! We asked them to share a little bit about themselves with you!
Cornerstone Management Team
Blaine Hobson
Co-Founder & Executive Director (Volunteer)
Blaine is an experienced operator, manager and investor with more than 30 years of experience successfully starting, building and running companies. He has direct leadership experience as a founder and CEO in a variety of diverse industries including automotive manufacturing, medical tech, telecom and food tech. He holds a degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Blaine is active in the community including his involvement with Hope House , Southlake Hospital and as founder and ongoing supporter of Cornerstone to Recovery (previously STEPS). His vision drives the ongoing development of unique recovery community services at Cornerstone.
Peter Brewitt RCS, CACII, ADS
Director of Counselling Programs & Development
Peter has been involved in substance abuse, addictions and associated behaviours for the past 27 years. His lived experience, continuing education and passion for helping others make for a strong commitment to our recovery community. As a Registered Clinical Supervisor, he oversees the day-to-day operations of our programs and is involved in ongoing organizational development. From residential programs through to new program offerings, Peter works with one driving principle…. “Provide those in need with the very best opportunity to improve the quality of their lives.”
Cornerstone Residential – Women’s
Carleen Riffle, RSSW
Lead Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
Carleen is a Registered Social Service Worker. She is an experienced counsellor, group facilitator, and case manager, having worked in the sectors of addictions & mental health and homelessness. Carleen began her time at Cornerstone to Recovery as a placement student in 2019 and worked as the Pathways Program Facilitator from 2021 to 2022. As the Lead Counsellor of the Women’s Residential Program, she continues to support Cornerstone clients on their recovery journey. Alongside her formal education, Carleen is trained in trauma-informed practice, anti-oppressive practice, concurrent disorders, CBT, and ASIST. Carleen is a passionate and caring social justice advocate who seeks to provide her clients with a safe and supportive environment to achieve their goals. She understands the complex layer of experiences that contribute to addiction and uses her lived experience, compassionate nature, and broad skill set to help clients unravel these layers and grow along their path of recovery and healing.
Amber-Lynn Couckuyt, AAC, ASSIST, CPI
Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
Amber-Lynn is an Associate Addiction Counsellor who is working towards her certificate in Addiction’s and Mental health through Durham College in gaining her CACII. Along with an Honours Degree from Nipissing University in North Bay specializing in Child & Family, Amber-Lynn is professionally trained in ASSIST & CPI. Amber-Lynn is a proud member of her own 12 step fellowship for many years who sponsors women within the twelve-step program. Her personal experience with her own struggles makes her passionate about her work as a counsellor. She has the ability to create a therapeutic relationship with each client based on respect, compassion coming from a client center approach. Amber-Lynn enjoys facilitating a variety of groups and working one on one with clients to bring her knowledge of various expertise to sessions. Amber-Lynn is excited to work at the Garden and walk along women in their recovery and rehabilitation journeys helping them find a better way of life
Candace May, ASIST
Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
Candace is an Associate Addictions Counsellor, working towards full certification in addictions and mental health via Laurier University and gaining her AAC. Candace found her passion in addictions while previously experiencing her own road to recovery. Candace brings forth an empathetic compassionate approach using her own life experience to assist fellow addicts/alcoholics. Candace also is pursuing knowledge in Indigenous studies having completed an introductory course through University of Alberta (Introduction to Indigenous studies). In future, Candace plans to share on this culture and bring forth knowledge on ceremonial activities within the indigenous culture. Candace’s passion is helping others want to help themselves using a soft approach prioritizing active listening and compassion.
TBA
Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
We are pleased to announce this new addition to our team in the near future
Cornerstone Residential – Men’s
Shawn Sowten, CAC II, ADS, CPI, ASIST
Director of Men’s Residential Programs
Shawn has over a 15 year career background in the property maintenance industry in both managerial, and business development capacities. He transferred his skills to a career in the addiction field backed with over fifteen years’ experience in the recovery community. Along with an Honour’s degree from the University of Windsor, Shawn is professionally trained in ASIST, CPI, and CBT for his CAC II certification. With a strong passion working with those new to recovery from addiction, Shawn uses his leadership skills, along with lived experience, to help client’s find purpose and direction in their lives.
Kevin Kellington, AAC, ASIST
Lead Men’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
Kevin is an Associate Addiction Counsellor who is working towards completing his Addiction Certificate through Wilfred Laurier and gaining his CACII. He begin his journey at the Kettleby Ranch in 2019. His passion for recovery led him from volunteering to a full time counsellor position at the Ranch in 2020. Kevin is also the owner of a small home improvement company. Kevin is known for his dedication to working with those in early recovery, his Honesty and his relatability. He enjoys working with clients to support them rebuilding their relationships with others and themselves.
David Walker, CAC II, CPI
Residential Addictions Counsellor
Dave began his career with U.S.I. Lighting in San Leandro California, gaining unparalleled experience in the North American lighting industry, establishing himself as a respected and trusted businessman. Dave has been part of the Men’s Residential counselling team since 2017.Currently working as an Addiction Counselor for Cornerstone to Recovery, Dave is widely known for his passion, energy and expertise in the field of recovery.While his business background took David across North America, he resides in Bradford Ontario and is an active member within both our recovery community and broader York region.
Paul Lafave, AAC, ASIST
Residential Addictions Counsellor
Paul joined the Cornerstone Team in 2021 as a full-time Addiction Counsellor at our men’s residential facility earning his AAC board certification. Alongside a three-decade background in the security and infrastructure field, Paul has persistently over the years devoted his time to peer support, and volunteering in our recovery community at Cornerstone before making this his full-time career. With over twelve years in recovery and growing up in a community on Lake Simcoe, Paul brings his small town value system of compassion, hard work, and honesty to helping others on their road to recovery.
Cornerstone Connections
Tina Bentley, ACSW, CACII, ADS, CPI
Director of Community Programs
Tina began her career with Steps to Recovery in 2010. Tina is The Director of Community Programs. Tina oversees Connections, Pathways & Wellness. She completed her diploma as an Addictions and Community Service Worker and she is designated as a Canadian Addiction Counsellor, Certification Level II. Tina holds additional certificates in Acupuncture Detoxification, Life Skills Coach, Personality Dimensions Facilitator, CPI Training, First Aid and CPR. Tina’s approach encourages positive change through improvement on skills individuals already possess. Tina has a strong passion for working with clients with addictions. Her empathetic and caring personality truly help clients feel at home and safe to begin building productive lives.
Cornerstone Pathways
Andy Venable, AAC, ASIST
Pathways Program Facilitator
Andy is our Program Facilitator for Pathways here at Cornerstone to Recovery. 7 years ago he was in treatment at Cornerstone and I took the very same program that now he is facilitating. Since graduating from this program and with the help of the community, he has maintained sobriety and began work in the social services field as a way of giving back to the community. “I want everyone to know that recovery from any addiction, trauma, or any situation is possible, as I have witnessed the transition in myself and others. I know that no matter how hopeless you may feel at the moment, there is always the possibility for change, and you are not alone. There are others out there, like me, who want to help”. Andy has chosen this profession because of his lived experience of being the one needing help, and wanting to be able to give back and now help those in need. I look forward to seeing you in class!
Arianna Markle, BFA, SSW
Pathways Program Facilitator
Arianna’s lived experience has drawn her to the addictions field. She is an honours graduate of Seneca College’s, Social Service Worker program. Arianna’s background is in theatre. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in Theatre Performance at Concordia University in Montreal. Her theatre training informs the Self-Exploration workshop which she facilitates in the Wellness Centre at Cornerstone. Arianna draws upon her lived experience for the compassion and wisdom required to support clients in the Pathways Program. She works with community members to achieve their recovery goals through Case Management and Peer Support. Arianna completed her student placement at Cornerstone. She describes her work now, as a Program Facilitator, as a celebration of her recovery thus far— it is life affirming! She reinforces a strong sense of community at Cornerstone— bringing her collaborative spirit, heart and joy to the work.
Cornerstone Wellness
Mackenzie Campbell, ASIST
Wellness Program Facilitator
Mackenzie joined Cornerstone to Recovery Wellness Center team in October 2022 and is currently working towards his Addictions Certificate through Wilfred Laurier University. He is in recovery and is an alumni from the Ranch. Mackenzie energetically facilitates programs such as Art Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation, Express Fitness and much more all while being available for peer support for community members that come into the Wellness Center. Mackenzie has a passion for diversity and inclusion and started the first LGBTQIA2+ 12 Step Book Study in York Region that runs Tuesdays at noon at Cornerstone.
Jeff Gartner
Weekend Wellness Program Facilitator
Jeff is Cornerstone’s Weekend Wellness Program Facilitator, 1 on 1 Personal Trainer and offers Peer Support. He began his journey towards health optimization in his early youth as an athlete of several different sports. Those sports led to injuries, and without the adequate knowledge and guidance eventually led to a path of recovery. Combining his lived experience, passion for learning, people and finding out what humans are truly capable of resulted in Jeff joining the Cornerstone Team. Jeff has been a personal trainer in many different capacities since 2010, more recently his focus has been on studying the cultivation of discipline, courage, mindfulness, purpose and how he can help others no matter their starting point, one right action at a time.
TBA
Evening Wellness Program Facilitator
We are pleased to announce this new addition to our team in the near future
Lucas Wade
Social Media
Cornerstone Social Enterprise
Patty Trudel, CPA
Director of Finance & Operations
Patty is a Certified Professional Accountant and holds her Certificate in Human Resources. She has spent over 30 years gaining experience in finance and accounting within various industries. As the Controller for Cornerstone to Recovery for the last 5 years, she enjoys working in a charitable non-profit organization that strives to help those in need in the under serviced field of addiction recovery. While accounting is her day job, Patty also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs!
Melissa Macri
Administration & Accounting
Melissa officially joined the Cornerstone team as a staff member in August of 2019, but her journey with the organization started in 2017 when she was first introduced to Cornerstone to Recovery as a member of the 12 step community. Her lived experience is the driving force that fuels her passion to help others who have been where she was to obtain a life of complete sobriety. As such Melissa has been able to see both sides of the incredible support that Cornerstone to Recovery provides. Melissa provides accounting assistance to Patty Trudel, Director of Finance and Operations and supports the rest of the staff, volunteers and clients with day to day operations. Through the Social Enterprise pillar she also obtains the licensing for the clothing donation drop boxes. Melissa loves to see people smile and always up for a laugh. Her lighthearted spirit is what has led to the staff affectionately giving her the nickname “the brat.”
Vivian Guglietti
Community Liaison
Vivian Guglietti’s passion for recovery can be traced back to 2008 when she made a personal decision to address her addiction and embrace the responsibilities connected to achieving a recovered way of life! Vivian has spent over a decade pursuing personal development and professional leadership. In addition to being mother of three vibrant daughters she is very active in her local community and has helped many achieve personal transformations in their own lives! Vivian holds the role of Community Connector and Business Development leader where she brings people together to support our growing and evolving organization! Her commitment to those in recovery and high standard for partners has contributed to the success of our Textile Recycling program. Vivian holds an Honors Degree in Languages from York University, her Toronto Real Estate Board License and an Addiction and Professional Counselling Certification.
Navigate the 5 Pillars of Cornerstone to Recovery
