Staff + Board
Nothing about us, without us.
MARCO is a peer-run organization. The majority of our Board of Directors and staff members self-identify as people in personal recovery from their own substance use disorders. Others include family members of persons impacted by substance use disorders, recovery allies, and persons with co-occurring mental health disorders. Additionally, MARCO is led and governed by individuals with direct experience in Recovery Community Organization (RCO) development, leadership, management, and programs.
MARCO STAFF
Wendy Jones (She/Her)
Executive Director
Wendy is a person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and a co-founder of MARCO. From 2018 to 2023 she was Executive Director of Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC), the state’s first Recovery Community Organization (established in 2007), where she helped to expand MRC’s programs and infrastructure and advocate for the development of peer-led, community-based recovery support services across Minnesota. She joined Minnesota Recovery Connection after a long career with the Minnesota Historical Society, where she was the Director of Education. Wendy has a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, is a former Humphrey Policy Fellow, and is the Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction.
Jennifer O'Byrne (She/Her)
Program manager
Jen is a program manager committed to community care, education, storytelling, events, and mission-driven outreach with a career spanning education, public media, and arts spaces. During her 8 years at TPT – Twin Cities PBS she produced hundreds of public, private, and virtual events; designed professional development and education event curriculum; and facilitated formal and informal learning spaces for educators, administrators, children, parents, leaders, and community members. Jen was a Special Education teacher in NYC and MN for 7 years. Previously, she also produced corporate events and worked in professional theater as an IATSE wardrobe supervisor and AEA Stage Manager for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions. Jen holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and English from Hamline University.
Whitney Nelson (She/Her)
community relations manager
Whitney Nelson is MARCO’s Community Relations Manager. As a person in long-term recovery, she has been deeply involved in initiatives serving both the LGBTQ+ and recovery communities. Recognizing that Pride celebrations are often inextricably linked with alcohol—and that gay bars have long served as central gathering spaces for the queer community—Whitney set out to help create inclusive, substance-free alternatives.
As part of this effort, she created and organized Sober Experiences Awesome at Pride in 2023 and launched a non-alcoholic beer, Ostrichized, at Twin Cities Pride in 2024. Following a successful first full-scale production launch in 2025, she is preparing to expand the brand with additional flavors and a new distribution partnership in January 2026.
Whitney has completed her Peer Recovery Specialist training and earned a Digital Marketing Specialist certification from the University of Minnesota. She holds a degree in Business Management from the University of St. Thomas.
Patricia Carter (She/Her)
RECOVERY COORDINATOR
Patricia Carter serves as the MARCO Recovery Project Coordinator through Recovery Corps. A woman in long-term recovery, she brings more than 27 years of experience in the recovery field and a deep passion for supporting individuals on their recovery journeys.
Her career began at Turning Point, Inc., where she worked as a Women’s Advocate in the Inpatient SUD Program. As her recovery journey deepened, Patricia discovered her true calling in serving the recovery community. In 2018, she became a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, supporting women in the community and cultivating her gift for listening and offering compassionate guidance. In 2023, Patricia was promoted to Community Outreach Manager at Turning Point. In this role, she helped launch Turning Point’s first Recovery Navigator position in partnership with AmeriCorps, expanding recovery support for inpatient residents. Beyond her professional roles, Patricia has shared her story, inspiration, and message of self-love with numerous small recovery groups in the community.
