Rosemary Weaver
Rosemary has been a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist since 2008. She also achieved the Advanced Level National Peer Support Certification in 2018. Additional certifications include Work Incentives Practitioner for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries, Digital Peer Support, Digital Peer Support Supervision, Supporting Older Adults Remotely, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator. Rosemary trained peer support specialists under 2 different NC curriculums from 2013-2017. She is a former Chair of the SCFAC and served on two legislative committees (“Blue Ribbon Commission on Transitions to Community Living Initiative” and “LME/MCO Governance.”) Rosemary has 7 years of experience working as an Independent Living Specialist, 6 years of working as a Forensic Peer Specialist in a state hospital and a forensic treatment center and 5 years experience providing online peer support services.
Wes Rider
Wes Rider recently retired, after a thirty-year career in the field of social work. After graduating from East Carolina University with a BSW in 1993, Wes worked in a variety of social work roles, most of which focused on supporting people to gain or maintain employment. Early in his career, Wes served on one of the first teams to implement person centered planning in NC. Wes has been a long-time recovery champion and advocate for recovery-oriented supports and consumer run service programs.
Patty Schaeffer
As a person with long term sustainable recovery Patty Schaeffer has learned to embrace her life completely. She has been active in recovery and wellness for over half her lifetime. She identifies with MH, SUD and TBI challenges. Along with incarceration and institutionalization in her past, her goal is to help others on this journey to live changed lives that they decide. Patty has been a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist since 2011, a PSS Certified Trainer for two state approved curriculums, Advanced Level Facilitator of the Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)©, and an instructor of seven other wellness curriculums. In 2016 she became the Executive Director of WellSurgent, a peer owned and peer-run nonprofit.
Diane Yarber
Diana Yarber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS). She currently serves as the Clinical Director for Creative Directions Inc. in Graham, North Carolina. As one of North Carolina's first certified Peer Support Specialists, Diana has been working in the field since 2004. She holds an associate in applied science (AAS) in Human Services from Guilford Technical Community College, a bachelor’s in social work from Winston-Salem State University, and a master’s in social work from Fordham University in New York City. With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Diana has worked in various roles such as Peer Support Specialist, Case Manager, Peer Support Specialist Trainer, WRAP Facilitator, and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Her professional journey has taken her through universities, mental health agencies, veteran services, and high and middle schools. In addition to her direct service roles, Diana is a seasoned conference presenter and recovery speaker. Diana lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina with her two dogs and two turtles. She has been in recovery herself for 20 years from both mental illness and substance use disorder, making her a powerful advocate for recovery and peer support.