About Hope Coalition

Julie Huneycutt has worked in the non-profit world for over 20 years. She has been the Director of Hope Coalition since 2014. In 2010, after losing her 20 year-old daughter to an opioid overdose, she and her husband founded Anna’s Hope, a fund dedicated to raising awareness about prescription drug misuse. Since then, she has been active both locally and regionally, appearing on multiple news shows, speaking at addiction conferences, civic, political, and social clubs sharing a story of hope while emphasizing the dangers of substance misuse. Julie has a BS in Psychology from NC State University, a certificate of Non-profit management from Duke University and a certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University. She is a graduate of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Coalition Academy and has been an appointee to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

Michelle Geiser, EdD, is a trauma specialized mental health professional who serves as the Program Director for Hope Coalition. Michelle works with children, adolescents and families to regain their personal power through education, prevention, advocacy and recovery. Michelle believes that empowered people build strong communities. She works to provide and sustain services to the community as a whole in order to build resilience. Michelle has helped to secure nearly 2 million dollars in federal funding for Henderson County to support those in need. She has supported the Henderson County Youth Council for five years acting as the lead advisor to 22 students representing all area public high schools. Michelle serves as an appointed member to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling Associate, a Licensed School Counselor and Certified Trauma Professional. Michelle is a graduate of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Coalition Academy. She is also a certified Nurturing Parenting Provider, Catch My Breath Provider, You Quit Two Quit provider, In-depth provider, and SBIRT certified. Michelle holds a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling, Traumatology from Liberty University. 

Jessi Correa has lived-experience with childhood trauma and substance use. After losing her brother to an overdose in 2015, she began sitting on Hope Coalition board meetings and volunteering in the community. For several years, she has shared her story to local students during the annual Week of Hope. She has also spoken at community events and trainings, such as the Henderson County Opioid Leadership Forum, Parent’s University drug education forum at Blue Ridge Community College and law enforcement's annual Crisis Intervention Training. 

Jessi has completed various substance use and prevention trainings with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), ADAPT (A Division for Advancing Prevention and Treatment), SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin) and the Recovery Can Happen Peer Support Specialist program. She brings over 20 years experience in business and database management to the role of Operations Manager, and looks forward to growing with Hope Coalition and serving the community.  

Having experienced trauma and mental health struggles in her own life, Tanya Romanyukha strongly believes in empowering others in their own healing and recovery journey. She is driven by a desire to understand and connect to others and strives to be of service. As a part-time fitness coach, she has been open with her community about her own struggles and has had the opportunity to support some athletes in their path of recovery from substance misuse and mental health issues.

Tanya has her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from UNCA, where she learned about different approaches to addiction in her interdisciplinary studies. She is currently expanding her knowledge of substance use and prevention through various trainings from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin.), ADAPT (A Division for Advancing Prevention and Treatment), etc. With several years of administrative experience and a deep commitment to service, she enjoys being a part of Hope Coalition’s mission in her role as COSSAP Project Coordinator.  

Sonya Smith has worked as a Certified Peer Support Specialist since 2016 and now works for Hope Coalition as a Peer Support Coordinator. She is currently pursuing her CADC Certification (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) as well as other continuing education courses. She has a long history of substance misuse and justice involvement. She now celebrates 12 years of maintaining recovery and has a deep passion for supporting others in their journey to finding their own path to recovery. She knows from her own life experience that recovery is possible but is not meant to do alone. We do recover together.