Meet the Staff of
Minnesota Recovery Connection

An experienced program developer, grant writer and fundraiser, Nell Hurley brings over a decade of experience in business communications and non-profit development. Nell Hurley has a wide range of experiences that include leadership roles in curriculum and education program development and has held positions at various non-profit organizations in Minnesota including the Minnesota Historical Society, Breck School, the Minnesota Museum of American Art, and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater. Nell holds two degrees in English Literature, a B.A. from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and an M.A. from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Nell is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Nonprofit Management program at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Nell is in long-term recovery and her sobriety date is December 27, 1997.

Julia Parnell is the Administrative Assistant and Manager of Special Projects at MRC and is grateful to be working again in the field of recovery after a hiatus to pursue graduate studies. She is excited about working for a mission she so strongly believes in and finding innovative ways to connect people to the recovery resources they need for a fun, happy and healthy recovery. Julia had the good fortune of connecting with a large fellowship of young people when getting sober, many of which are still in her life today, and has a sobriety date of August 28, 1992. She is recently a new homeowner in the St. Paul Midway Neighborhood and is currently working on her Ph.D. dissertation in Religion Studies.

Monique Bourgeois joined the staff of MRC as the Volunteer/Training Coordinator in December 2010. Monique has worked in the addiction/recovery field for over 15 years and holds a Master's in Public and Non-Profit Administration. In addition to her role at MRC, Monique is the Executive Director of the Association of Recovery Schools.