Staff

Mark C. Upright J.D., M.B.A.

President, CEO

Attorney at Law

Mark Upright came to Eliada in 2002 to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his tenure at Eliada, Mr. Upright accumulated over twenty years of treatment and educational services to children. He began his career in protective services, foster care, and an educator in a private school setting. He was the Chief Financial Officer for Tabor Children Services for eleven years and then the Vice President of Administration with The Association for Independent Growth; both premier non-profits providing services in and around the City of Philadelphia.

In addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer at Eliada, Mr. Upright has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina – Asheville and has a Law Practice that provides assistance in the areas of Family Law, Wills and Estates and Non-Profit Business Services.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • B.S. Psychology / East Stroudsburg University, PA
  • B.S. Accounting / DeSales University, PA
  • MBA in Health Care Administration / DeSales University, PA
  • Juris Doctor/ Rutgers School of Law, NJ
  • Membership, American Bar Association / NC Bar Association / 28th Judicial District Bar

Service to Our Community:

  • Volunteer Attorney / Mountain Area Volunteer Lawyer’s Program
  • Former Volunteer of the Year, Junior Achievement
  • Former Board Chairman, Benchmarks
  • Member, National Board of Directors for the National Youth Project Using Minibikes
  • Member, Board of Directors for Smart Start

Dr. Philip Kiratzis

Psychiatrist, Medical Director

Dr. Kiratzis comes to Eliada with a wealth of clinical and research experience. A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Kiratzis has studied, trained, and practiced across the country.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • M.D. University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
  • B.A. Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia

His postdoctoral training included residency at the University of Vermont School of Medicine and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University. Dr. Kiratzis holds licensures in Alabama, North Carolina, and New York, and is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners. His clinical experience includes work as a consulting psychiatrist for Smoky Mountain Center, Grandfather Home for Children, Stone Mountain School, and Asheville School, among others.

Marie Jensen

Chief Operations Officer

Marie Jensen, a native of Wisconsin, has been with Eliada for over 20 years. Marie came to Eliada in 1991 as our Residential Director and served as Quality Improvement Director from 1998 to 2002, before advancing to COO.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • Master in Child and Youth Care Administration
  • Former President of National Association of Peer Group Agencies
  • State awards for Excellence in Support Services and Excellence in Management from Child and Family Services Association of NC
  • Participant in International Residential Exchange Program with England, North Carolina and South Carolina in 1990
  • Workshop presenter at International Child Conference in Scotland, 1992

Rebecca Williams

Chief Financial Officer

Becky Williams is a native of Memphis, TN. She joined Eliada in 2002 as Comptroller with thirty years experience in accounting.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Illinois
  • Certification in Supervisory / Management Skills, Asheville-Buncombe Community Technical College

Service to Our Community:

  • Previously enjoyed serving as Cubmaster and Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 108!

Tracey A. McCrain

Director of Child Development Services

Tracey McCrain is a native of Long Island, NY. Tracey joined Eliada in 1989 as a staff member in Residential Treatment. She served for 10 years as a Residential Youth Counselor, Team Coordinator, Group Leader and Treatment Director before moving to Child Development in 1999.

Education / Accomplishments

  • MBA, Montreat College
  • BA in Psychology, Dowling College
  • Level III Early Childhood Administrative Credentials
  • Early Childhood Credentials
  • 2005 Director of the Year

Service to Our Community:

  • Former member, Buncombe County Kindergarten Readiness Committee
  • Former member, Buncombe County More at Four Committee

Dennis Hawley

Human Resources Director

A transplant from Virginia, Dennis has worked for over 20 years in human resources, primarily in not-for-profit hospitals, ranging from small rural hospitals to large urban teaching facilities.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • Graduate of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Bachelor of Arts, Government
  • Member, Society of Human Resources Management
  • Certified in VA as a general mediator

Service to Our Community:

  • Dennis is active in issues surrounding animal welfare

Carolyn Ashworth 

Director of Development

Carolyn has been with Eliada Foundation for six years. Prior to becoming the Director of Development, she served as Eliada’s Grants and Public Relations Officer.

Education / Accomplishments:

  • Magna cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville
  • Research Fellow, NC Beautiful
  • Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals

Service to Our Community:

  • Former volunteer, Ducker Road Community Involvement Council
  • Former volunteer, Clean Water for North Carolina