Mark Tripodi

CEO & Founder

ABOUT ME

My wife, Christi, and I are the founders of Cornerstone of Hope. We experienced the sudden death of our three year old son, Bobby, in May of 2000. Our lives have been forever changed since that very day. Soon after, we felt God’s call to offer support to families who have experienced the death of a loved one. Cornerstone of Hope was founded in 2003. Since our inception we have served over 40,000 individuals of all ages through our core services: counseling, support groups, youth camps, retreats and education/training for professionals and lay leaders who serve the bereaved. I am passionate about introducing Cornerstone of Hope to families in need, to volunteers who want to make an impact and to companies and individuals who feel called to generously support this crucial mission.

FUN FACT

Cornerstone has a beautiful Treehouse. In 2014, we were blessed to gain national exposure during an episode of Animal Planet’s hit television series “Treehouse Masters”. Locally, the treehouse is known as Lisa’s Butterfly Treehouse in memory of Lisa Kurtz Luciano whose estate gift help construct this sacred space in the trees. You can watch this episode on Amazon Prime or iTunes, Season 2 Episode 4, The Wild Butterfly Escape.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'” —John 11:25–26

Heather Nicol, LISW-S

Executive Director

ABOUT ME

Heather has been in the behavioral health field for over 25 years and a practicing social worker for 30. She has extensive experience in counseling individuals, couples and families. Heather is focused on mentoring and developing leaders and walking beside those who are grieving. She also enjoys educating the local community on grief and other mental health topics.

FUN FACT

I am a fitness enthusiast outside of work, arriving at the gym before 6 a.m. most mornings.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.”– Psalm 51:10

Don Piunno

Development Coordinator

ABOUT ME

I came out of retirement in the hopes of helping to make a positive impact in the lives of people that are suffering. By raising awareness of our mission and providing much needed funding to Cornerstone of Hope in Columbus, we can help to ease the grief that people are experiencing. Working here provides me with an opportunity to generate an awareness of the impact our wonderful and caring staff can have on families and individuals, be they children, teens, adults, and senior citizens.

FUN FACT

I enjoy playing softball in a 75 year and older softball league. I attempt to play golf without embarrassing myself, and enjoy fly fishing. And any day that I can spend with my grandchildren; Sam, Carmella, Amelia, and Dominic is always a delightful day, and as good as it gets!

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” - George Washington

Kim Turner, LISW-S

Coordinator, Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Response Team

ABOUT ME

I joined Cornerstone of Hope in Feb 2022, as the Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Response Team Coordinator. It is an absolute delight to be part of such an important mission & team, serving a unique population of people.

FUN FACT

Being a Lake Erie native has taught me “I can do hard things!”

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

"He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk discreetly with your God.”– Micah 6:8 

Bruce Benzing, MDiv, LMin

Support Group Facilitator

ABOUT ME

I started off my professional career working in the Federal Government for almost 12 years. I then attended Seminary and graduated in 2005 with my Master of Divinity. I spent about 5 years working as a Hospital Chaplain at 3 local Hospital’s before being hired as a Hospice Chaplain. I worked for over 14 years as a Hospice Chaplain, with the last 7 years as the company’s Bereavement Coordinator. I have been working as a facilitator with Cornerstone of Hope for 3 years. I am currently working as a Bereavement Counselor with a local Hospice company.

FUN FACT

I enjoy walking (almost 3-5 miles a day) and I also enjoy participating in 5Ks and Four Mile events.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” - Psalm 23

I carry this scripture in my back pocket daily because no matter what happens (good and bad, beautiful and ugly) God is caring for me, guiding me and providing for me.

JoAnn Borer, MSW, LISW

Clinician

ABOUT ME

I was originally introduced to Cornerstone of Hope in 2014, where I completed my internship at the Cleveland office while completing by Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Akron. Internship turned into employment, where I oversaw the camps for the Cleveland office. After completing my Master’s degree, working out of state, and more, I returned back to Cornerstone of Hope in the Columbus office in 2019. I’m thankful for the opportunity to play a role in Cornerstone’s mission and support those who are grieving.

FUN FACT

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

I’ve ran several half marathons, as well as a full marathon.

Annie Dalby, LISW-S

Clinician

ABOUT ME

I have worked in both medical social work (home care and hospice) and as a bereavement coordinator in hospice. I am also a spiritual director and have been seeing individuals privately since 2009. I have known of Cornerstone of Hope for a long time and am thrilled to now be a part of the team. I feel humbled and blessed to be able to journey with others as they grieve and heal.

FUN FACT

I’ve been married for 27 years and have two wonderful adult sons.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

 “Lord, help me to live this day quietly, easily; To lean on Thy great strength trustfully, restfully.” - St. Francis of Assisi

Elizabeth Kraska, LISW-S

Support Group Facilitator

ABOUT ME

By day I am a medical pediatric social worker with a focus on children and families in primary care from a trauma-informed perspective. I came to Cornerstone of Hope in 2015 initially providing clinical supervision and then my involvement spread to many roles at Cornerstone. I run grief support groups, provide individual bereavement counseling, provide crisis grief counseling, co-facilitate trainings and am a camp counselor for Camp Memory. For me, this is deep soul work, meeting people on their grief journey and abiding with them and partnering as we walk together with hope and healing.

The opportunity to work also at Cornerstone of Hope has been a gift in so many ways and I feel honored every day to be a part of this organization.

FUN FACT

I am Ohio born and Columbus is my home (Go Bucks) but my heart longs for the mountains and deserts of the southwest and is one of my favorite places to visit.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.”

Kristen McColough, LISW-S

Clinician

ABOUT ME

I was excited to join the Cornerstone team in Jan 2021 after moving from Memphis, TN during 2020. I’ve spent the last 11 years working as a hospice social worker and then a grief counselor at the Baptist Centers for Good Grief. Prior to that, I worked in mental health with adults and children since completing my MSW in 2005.

FUN FACT

I grew up in Toledo but haven’t lived in Ohio since 2005. It’s good be back closer to home.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

"To mourn your loss is required if you are to befriend the love you have been granted. To honor your grief is not self-destructive or harmful, it is life-sustaining and life-giving, and it ultimately leads you back to love again. In this way, love is both the cause and the antidote.” ~ Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph. D.

Molly O’Driscoll, LPC, GC-C

Clinician

ABOUT ME

Hello! I have been connected to Cornerstone of Hope as a community partner since 2012, and I officially joined the team in the fall of 2017, where my role has grown over the last few years. As a Bereavement Clinician, I am proud to serve others through individual and family grief counseling as well as by facilitating our trauma support groups, offering hope and encouragement to those who have lost a loved one to suicide or accidental overdose. You may also find me participating in various programming throughout the year, and overseeing Grief Matters, our monthly education series designed to engage, explore, and express grief in creative ways. Through my role here at COH and prior work in both funeral home and hospice settings, I have been humbled to walk with others along their grief journeys toward healing. I am inspired by the resilience of my clients every day, and I believe them to be my greatest teachers.

FUN FACT

I have visited 5 continents and walked the Camino de Santiago, also known as “The Way of St. James,” which is a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain to the Cathedral where the Apostle James is buried.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Stacy Sieberth, MEd

School Group Facilitator

ABOUT ME

Hi, I am a school group facilitator at Cornerstone of Hope. I provide 7-8 week grief groups to schools ranging from grades kindergarten to high school. I started with Cornerstone in 2020. I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Indiana University and a Masters in School Counseling from University of Dayton. I have 3 children who keep me very busy outside of work!

FUN FACT

My family & I love to travel and see new places.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

Daphne Davis

Office Coordinator

ABOUT ME

I joined Cornerstone of Hope in August 2022. Having worked in corporate environments, I bring a large administrative skill set. Being the office coordinator allows me the opportunity to use my vast administrative skills to accomplish daily tasks, which is a great reward. I am thrilled to have this job because the Cornerstone of Hope mission statement and the culture are a perfect fit with my own values. It is important to me to work at a place where I feel my values have a strong connection with the business. Being at Cornerstone of Hope allows me to grow both professionally and personally. My husband and I have been married a long time — we have five children and four grandchildren.

FUN FACT

I love game shows, and once I was in the audience of Family Feud.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11

Jenna Bechtel

Assistant Coordinator, Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Response Team

ABOUT ME

I was first introduced to Cornerstone of Hope at a First Friday event in 2022. I interned at Cornerstone of Hope while completing my Bachelor’s degree in Neuropsychology at Cedarville University. My Internship turned into employment, and I now work as the Assistant Coordinator for the Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Response Team. Helping others has always been a passion of mine and I am so honored to be a part of an organization filled with people that have the same passion.

FUN FACT

I was adopted from Seoul, Korea at the age of two and I can sing my ABC’s Backwards.

HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN HOPE

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26