Christopher Haug
Operations Director
Christopher, a proud native of the Hudson Valley region of New York, grew up near the scenic Catskill Mountains and Hudson River. He earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a minor in psychology from the University of New York at Cortland.
He relocated to Asheville, where he found his calling at a holistic residential program for adults facing mental health challenges. The community-based approach resonated deeply with him, igniting his passion for helping others learn and grow.
Christopher’s diverse professional background includes crafting exercise programs for athletes, managing professional kitchens, developing occupational health and safety initiatives, and most recently serving as an electronic health records system analyst. His keen attention to detail, paired with a knack for seeing the big picture, uniquely qualifies him for the Operations Director role.
When he’s not making strides at work, Christopher enjoys family time with his wife, Emily, and their two young children, Rosalie and Zev. A lover of home improvement projects, nature escapades, and scouting out the best taco trucks in town, he prioritizes balancing work and play.
Brooke Barthen, BA
Program Director
Brooke grew up in the Pittsburgh area and has called Western North Carolina home since 2008. She has been working with individuals diagnosed with Mental Health (MH), Developmental Disabilities (DD), and Substance Use (SA) disorders since 2001, supporting both adolescents and adults.
Much of Brooke’s career has been rooted in residential settings, where she has served in a variety of roles including direct care staff, clinical supervisor, program manager, and member of organizational leadership. For the past nine years, she has held the role of Operations Director for a Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) program. While she values the professional growth and skills gained in that position, Brooke is excited to return to hands-on work—supporting individuals in need and the dedicated staff who walk alongside them in their healing journeys.
Brooke brings a broad and well-rounded perspective to her role as Program Director. She leads with humility, integrity, and deep commitment. Her passion for this work is rooted in personal experience, compassion, and a strong educational foundation.
A strong advocate for self-care, Brooke finds balance through outdoor adventure. She enjoys caving, rappelling, hiking, trail running, participating in road races, and spending quality time with her beloved pups.
Becky Barth, BS, WFR
Logistics Coordinator
Becky’s technical skills in adventure sports, her numerous years facilitating groups and program staff, and her recent term as a part-time clinical technician for The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® help her excel in her role. She is a team player, a strong communicator, and enthusiastically joins in with any task at hand.
Making a difference in the lives of others has always been an underlying motivator for Becky. She strives to be a good listener, show respect for all, discover teachable moments, and encourage all around her to thrive and flourish. Whether supporting a client in a one-on-one setting, leading a group on a camping experience, or working behind the scenes, she aims to do meaningful work.
Once an avid competitor in adventure endurance racing, mountain biking, and flatwater canoeing, she is now content to ride bikes, climb rocks, and paddle boats for fun. She proudly parents her two older teenagers, loves to cook and eat all vegetables, and sings a cappella with a small women’s ensemble.
Jennifer Swift
Program Manager
Jen Swift grew up in southern CA, and lived in San Francisco for a number of years before relocating to NC in 2001. She holds degrees in English Literature and Horticultural Science, and worked for many years as a researcher in plant biology at NC State before coming to the Willows. Jen brings understanding and empathy to our program from her own experience in recovery, having come to the decision to enter the field after going through rehabilitation herself.
When Jen is not supporting our clients, she can be found out on her kayak, or immersed in a novel with her cat, Misha, on her lap.
Madison “Maddy” MacLeod
Program Manager
Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Maddy spent most of her formative years in San Francisco, California. She studied Psychology at the University of Miami in Florida, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree, and later received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah.
Maddy has lived in some of the most beautiful, nature-rich areas of the country, including Tahoe and various parts of Utah. These places have deeply inspired her passion for the outdoors. An avid adventurer, Maddy enjoys canoe camping, road tripping, off-roading (Jeeping—catch her on the Rubicon Trail!), and hunting for hot springs with her loyal dog, Tinsley, often with a canoe strapped to the top of her car. She has a knack for finding hidden natural swimming holes and embraces a lifestyle rooted in exploration and connection with nature.
Her professional background is just as dynamic, with extensive experience in aquatics—as a coach, instructor, manager, and director—as well as in ski coaching and instructing in Tahoe. She also led a summer adventure camp for kids, further combining her love for the outdoors with her dedication to youth development.
Maddy joined The Willows at Red Oak Recovery in August 2024 as Direct Care staff and quickly grew into the role of Program Manager. Through her own journey in recovery, Maddy discovered a profound sense of purpose and is deeply committed to supporting others on their healing paths. At The Willows, she has found a space where she can be her authentic self and hold space for others to do the same—helping clients discover their strength, resilience, and sense of self.
Contact The Willows Operations Team Today
When you’re ready to embark on your journey of healing and recovery, contact our operations team at The Willows. Our staff is dedicated to helping you achieve long-lasting positive change in your life. Call 828.518.6941 or complete our online form now.
Discover more about our unique approach to women’s addiction treatment and how we can help you or your loved one embark on a journey of renewal. Contact us online or call 828.518.6941 today. Everyone deserves a chance to thrive and live their best life.