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.
Cornerstone Residential – Women’s
Carleen Riffle, RSSW, CACII
Director of Women’s Residential Programs
Carleen is a Registered Social Service Worker and Certified Addictions Counsellor. She has experience working 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 Director 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 care, 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.
Nikki Nakamichi
Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
Nikki has a diploma in Addiction and mental Health and is working towards gaining her CACII. Nikki has a wealth of experience and a strong passion for her work as an Addiction Counselor. Her background in addictions and mental health, as well as her experience working with people experiencing homelessness, gives her valuable insight into the challenges her clients may be facing. As an Addiction Counselor, Nikki’s work is not only rewarding for her but also essential in helping improve the well-being of the clients she serves. Her combination of professional expertise and personal experience provides a unique and empathetic approach to her counseling sessions. Nikki is dedicated to helping those new to recovery find purpose and direction in their lives while gaining the tools and confidence to rebuild relationships with their loved ones and community.
Women’s Residential Addictions Counsellor
The Garden – Bus Driver and Administrative Assistant
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.
Cornerstone Connections
Tina Bentley, RCS, ACSW, CACII, ADS, CPI
Senior 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
Patrycia Walilko
Pathways Program Facilitator
Patrycia began her career at Cornerstone to Recovery in October 2023. Prior to obtaining her position here, she had completed her student placement in the summer of 2023. Her passion to help those struggling with mental health issues grew while she completed her honors degree in psychology at York University. With this growing drug crisis, and being affected by addiction, Patrycia decided to get her addiction prevention and treatment certificate from Georgian College. With the love of helping others, Patrycia plans on getting her masters in counselling. Outside of work, she enjoys working out and participating in various outdoor activities. Patrycia is a believer of holistic wellbeing.
Pathways Program Facilitator
Cornerstone Wellness
Beth Davis
Wellness Program Facilitator
Beth is an Addiction and Mental Health Worker dedicated to promoting physical health and mental wellness through a holistic approach. With a background in fitness and nutrition, Beth brings a vibrant passion to Cornerstone, where she contributes to the development of fitness programming and personal training. Her approach to recovery encompasses a body, mind, and spirit approach, reflecting the values of her own recovery and lived experience. Beth is committed to empowering people’s health and recovery through mindful movement and compassionate self-inquiry. As a graduate from Centennial’s Mental Health & Addiction Worker program, Beth has been trained with trauma informed and anti-oppressive practices. Beth enjoys making physical wellness fun and restorative and advocates for health at every size!
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.
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 Pillars of Cornerstone to Recovery
