Schedule-at-Glance
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Exhibit Installation
Welcome Networking Reception
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All Recovery Meeting
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Wellness Activity
All Recovery Meeting
Registration
Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
Welcome & Keynote Speakers
Sean Hemeon
Sean Hemeon is an actor, artist, and writer based in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his recurring role on ABC’s 9-1-1 and for starring in CW’s Husbands, with additional credits including True Blood, Criminal Minds, and Rake. As a painter, his abstract expressionist work has been exhibited all over Los Angeles and internationally, exploring…
Patrick Miller
Patrick Miller was born and raised in America’s oldest seaside resort in Cape May, NJ. For the last several years, Pat has leveraged his long-term recovery into advocacy and peer recovery work in his hometown, creating numerous programs and outreach efforts to help those in need. In 2020, utilizing grant funding from local, state, and…
Andre Johnson
Dr. Andre L. Johnson, a native Detroiter, is currently the Founder/President/CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project Incorporated, a trailblazing multi-service non-profit agency that provides a wide spectrum of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services to the city’s recovery community. Dr. Johnson has consulted on behalf of the United States President’s Emergency Plan Against AIDS Abroad…
Brian Peek
Brian Peek, in recovery from alcohol use since 1990, is the Executive Director of RISE Peer Recovery. A Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach (CAPRC II) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), he has 18 years of experience in recovery work. Leaving a 26-year career at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, he built a peer recovery program in…
Vanessa Phillips
Vanessa Phillips, B.S., CADAC II, CSPR-CL, is the Director of Forensic Services at RISE Peer Recovery, where she leads efforts to expand peer-led re-entry services. Shaped by her own experiences growing up with addiction and domestic violence, she is passionate about building recovery-focused systems. After overcoming postpartum anxiety and psychosis, she now shares her story…
Break
Breakout Session
Danielle Bonanno
Danielle Bonanno is the Executive Director of Inclusive Recovery Athens, advocating for marginalized populations such as LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, those with substance use disorders, and people experiencing complex trauma. She educates addiction professionals on providing trauma-informed, culturally-affirming care to LGBTQ+ communities. Danielle serves as President of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, a board member of Georgia…
Breakout Session
Brandi Vore
A woman in long-term recovery , who is a Master of Business candidate. She has two children and is married to her best friend and love of her life, David. She has worked in the substance use and mental health field for over 15 years and has held several positions throughout that time. She is…
Veronica Woods
Veronica Woods has a double bachelor‚Äôs degree in Forensic Psychology. She is beginning her journey at the University of Central Oklahoma to get receive her master‚Äôs degree in Addictions Counseling. Her goal is to become a LADC to start offering more services for OCARTA. She has been apart of OCARTA since it first opened its…
Breakout Session
Aaron Meyer
Aaron Meyer is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California San Diego. He supervises trainees at a federally qualified health center, sees patients via telepsychiatry in Imperial County and works with the City of San Diego as their first Behavioral Health Officer. He is a psychiatrist specializing dedicated to caring for all people,…
Elon Burns
Elon Burns is a certified alcohol and drug counselor with a degree in psychology from San Diego State University. He is a native San Diegan working for various Tx programs in multiple modalities for over 15 years. Elon owns and operates San Diego Coastal Sober Living, open since 2013. He is in long term Recovery…
Gretchen Bergman
Gretchen Bergman is Exec. Dir./Co-Founder of A New PATH, a 25-year-old non-profit organization working to reduce the stigma associated with substance use and advocating for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies. She was CA State Chairperson for Prop 36 in 2000 (treatment not incarceration). She was one of the 3 signers of Prop 64 in…
Laura Rossi, PhD
Dr. Laura Rossi is CEO of SOAP, MAT, and a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist with knowledge and experience in working with high-risk populations. With a Ph.D. in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from the CA School of Professional Psychology, she dedicated 15 years to the field. Her career began in the prison system, conducting forensic…
Breakout Session
John Dillon
John Dillon is a singer-songwriter and author in long-term recovery. He has released two albums of recovery music, HOPE ROAD and THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, and published a book on creativity, THE 20-20 CREATIVITY SOLUTION. John has developed a process of collaborative writing with people in early recovery, in which he leads them through a series…
Bonus
Alida Kistler
I am a dedicated advocate for recovery with 13 years of long-term recovery. Fueled by my personal journey, I turned my challenges with addiction into a passion for helping others find their path to healing. Originally from Denver, Colorado, I moved to Illinois in 2002 for new beginnings. In 2022, I earned my certification as…
Lunch
General Session: Panel Discussion
Sean Hemeon
Sean Hemeon is an actor, artist, and writer based in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his recurring role on ABC’s 9-1-1 and for starring in CW’s Husbands, with additional credits including True Blood, Criminal Minds, and Rake. As a painter, his abstract expressionist work has been exhibited all over Los Angeles and internationally, exploring…
Kim Govak
With over 19 years in sustained recovery, I am deeply committed to uplifting individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use disorder. I bring a passion for advocacy and believe that Recovery is Possible for Everyone to all my efforts. As a former Programs Manager at Faces & Voices of Recovery, I led the Council…
Brayden Robinson
Brayden Robinson transitioned from a successful career as a chef to peer support work in 2018, driven by his passion for recovery and service. Brayden has worked as a certified peer support specialist and supervisor, developing leadership skills and a passion for organizational culture and building communities of recovery. At the Utah Peer Network, he…
Gillian Williams
Gillian Williams is the Strategic Partnerships Program Manager for the Overdose Prevention Initiative. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with national partners to support the Initiative’s efforts to reduce overdose deaths. Before joining GHAI, Gillian was the Program Manager for Strategic Partnerships at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, supporting the advancement of federal…
Tara Moreno-Wallen
Tara Moreno-Wallen, M.A., ADS, is a woman in long-term recovery. She is also the founding director of the Serenity House Communities, owner of Green Tara Holistics & New Earth Recovery Housing. Serenity House is a 501(c)3 recovery community organization founded in 2015 located in Flint, Michigan & Lapeer, Michigan. Before founding each agency, Tara was…
Break
Breakout Session
Laura Bradbury
Laura Bradbury, MSW, LCSW, is a grief counselor and researcher for the College of Nursing at the University of Utah. She is a doctoral candidate and researches issues related to end of life care and grief and loss. Laura is passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved persons and increasing grief literacy among helping professionals.
Taryn Hiatt
Taryn Hiatt is a dedicated social worker with Caring Connections at the University of Utah. With over two decades in suicide prevention, her work is deeply personal, shaped by losing her father to suicide. As the founding member and former Executive Director of AFSP Utah, she has advanced prevention efforts and supported loss survivors. She…
Breakout Session
Nyla Christian
“Nyla Christian is a change leader in recovery advocacy dedicated to transforming how communities approach behavioral health and wellness. As the Executive Director of CAARD she combines her expertise and personal commitment to leading initiatives that empower peer focused groups with culturally aligned support. Nyla is also the developer and facilitator of CAARD’s RCO Training…
Breakout Session
Lesley Pregenzer
Lesley Pregenzer serves as CEO of FAVOR Upstate, an RCO in Upstate, SC providing compassionate and innovative recovery support services to those suffering from substance use disorder. Lesley Pregenzer’s personal journey of enduring recovery shapes her dedication to delivering free and equitable recovery-based services to individuals and their families. Pregenzer orchestrates an evolution that removes…
Terah Shepard
Terah Sheppard is a dedicated recovery advocate, Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), and Trainer of Trainers. She serves as BCOR Project Coordinator at FAVOR Upstate, where her recovery experience shapes her approach to peer support. Her expertise includes developing data-informed approaches to peer recovery support and implementing strategic data systems to measure program impact. Terah…
Breakout Session
Robert Kent
Robert A. Kent is the President of Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC and serves as a healthcare strategic policy advisor focused on helping clients maximize their opportunities to serve those in need of help. Rob previously served as the General Counsel with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Rob served in a…
Stephanie Campbell
Stephanie Campbell joined Friends of Recovery— New York (FOR-NY) in 2015 and worked at the state and national levels on public policy issues affecting individuals and families impacted by addiction. In 2018, Stephanie oversaw the creation of the first-in-nation statewide behavioral health ombudsman office to help people access SUD and MH care. She served on…
Bonus
Ekoko Onema
Ekoko M. Onema MSW, NCPRSS, BHM, CHW, RCPMs. Onema MSW, NCPRSS, BHM, CHW is a proud Alumna of “Thee Jackson State University”. Ms. Onema is a Recovery Support Services and Human Services Community Consultant who loves assisting individuals, families, organizations, and communities to expand the Recovery-Oriented System of Care. Ms. Onema is currently a member…
Day Concludes
Wellness Activity
All Recovery Meeting
Registration
Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
Welcome & Keynote Speakers
Sean Hemeon
Sean Hemeon is an actor, artist, and writer based in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his recurring role on ABC’s 9-1-1 and for starring in CW’s Husbands, with additional credits including True Blood, Criminal Minds, and Rake. As a painter, his abstract expressionist work has been exhibited all over Los Angeles and internationally, exploring…
Dona Dmitrovic
Currently serving as the Acting Director in the Office of Recovery, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dona supports recovery initiatives across the agency. In her previous role, she served as the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention providing executive leadership for federal efforts to…
Angel Carroll
Angel Carroll is an advocate and data equity strategist working at the intersection of justice, mental health, and community-driven systems change. As the Director of Advocacy at Measure, she leads initiatives that challenge traditional data practices by centering the lived experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Through coalition-building, policy strategy, and public education, Angel…
Dr. John Kelly
Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School – the first endowed professor in addiction medicine at Harvard. He is also the Founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine…
Break
Breakout Session
Karen Chrapek
Karen Chrapek’s career in the substance use disorder (SUD) field flourished while working at Darryl Strawberry Recovery where she provided public relations, business development and education. With 42 years of recovery, her passion is helping individuals struggling with the self-destructive cycle of using drugs. Karen is currently the Executive Director of the Volusia Recovery Alliance,…
Missy O’Brien
“Missy O’Brien is the Project Coordinator for the Opioid Abatement Grant 1, Harm Reduction & Hope through Education, Advocacy, and Love (H.E.A.L.). In this capacity, Missy leads initiatives to educate Volusia County businesses on harm reduction practices and advocates for the establishment of Recovery Friendly Workplaces. As a central figure in the ONEbox and Recovery…
Breakout Session
Allison Herrst
Allison Herrst is a person in long-term recovery who found her purpose in helping others as a Certified Peer Recovery Coach. She worked with a pilot program in Michigan that provides support to individuals through a local hospital. The program quickly grew, and Allison became supervisor, where she held this position for over 4 years….
Breakout Session
Saul Malek
“Saul Malek shares his personal story of overcoming gambling addiction. Since entering recovery in 2019, he’s spoken at schools, conferences, and other organizations. Featured in The New York Times, NPR, and TEDx, Saul raises awareness and promotes education on gambling addiction prevention. Instagram: saulmalekspeaking”
Breakout Session
Jennifer Scully-Thurston
Jennifer Scully-Thurston’s evolving dance career includes dancing in shows, contemporary companies, teaching, curation, filmmaking & writing. She received the Dance Critics Association (DCA) Emerging Writer Award. Her film journey began in animation with Grasshorse Studios and her own artistic goal is to make a film a year. She continued her exploration of non-profit arts administrative…
Ramya Kapadia
RAMYA KAPADIA is an award-winning Bharatanatyam dancer/choreographer/educator. Ramya has written, choreographed & scored the music for dance-theater productions across the United States & abroad. She believes that art must tell stories that move audiences & uses her works to create awareness & fundraise for socially-involved organizations all over the U.S. Her affiliation as a Teaching Artist with the United Arts…
Lunch
Breakout Session
Christopher Zahn
Christopher is the ED2Recovery+ Program Coordinator for Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin ‚Äì Madison. Christopher has over 30 years of experience with the criminal justice system. He has extensive knowledge advocating for substance use and mental health disorders, criminal justice reform, and reentry needs. Christopher is…
Breakout Session
Ernie Fletcher
Fighter pilot, physician, statesman, and healthcare visionary Ernie was elected in 1998 to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives. In 2003, he was elected the 60th Governor of Kentucky. As the founder of the Fletcher Group, Ernie continues a legacy of public service and innovations in health and…
Tony White
“Tony has been committed to long-term recovery since July 2003. He has over 16 years of experience as a Program Director of two Recovery Kentucky Centers: long-term, residential, peer-led, peer-driven, social model recovery programs in rural eastern Kentucky. Each center had at least 100 beds, serving men impacted by homelessness, housing insecurity, and involvement in…
Breakout Session
Michael Fox
A person in long term recovery, Michael has lived experience in addiction recovery, diagnosed with HIV in Feb. of 1994, and a history of incarceration. After his interaction with the DEA his life’s trajectory changed and his purpose was revealed to serve those with similar stories and how to help people get testing for HIV…
Breakout Session
Allyssa Raines
Ally Raines, Director of Recovery at PAST Recovery Services, is a passionate advocate combining lived experience with professional expertise. In long-term recovery since 2018, she has worked to remove barriers and expand access to support services. Since joining Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition in 2019, she has earned multiple peer recovery certifications and helped PAST…
Kimbra Reynolds
Kimbra Reynolds is a dedicated leader in substance use recovery, community engagement, and justice reform. With 35+ years of experience, she has built strong coalitions, expanded recovery support, and driven change for individuals and families. As Executive Director of the Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition (dba PAST Recovery Services), she has led, partnered, and collaborated…
Break
General Session: Panel Discussion
Sean Hemeon
Sean Hemeon is an actor, artist, and writer based in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his recurring role on ABC’s 9-1-1 and for starring in CW’s Husbands, with additional credits including True Blood, Criminal Minds, and Rake. As a painter, his abstract expressionist work has been exhibited all over Los Angeles and internationally, exploring…
Shelly Weizman
Shelly Weizman, JD is a human rights lawyer whose areas of interest include advancing public policy related to addiction, mental health, and disabilities. She is the associate director of the Center on Addiction and Public Policy at the O’Neill Institute at Georgetown Law, where she works on a project portfolio focused on the overdose epidemic…
Andrew D. Kessler
Andrew D. Kessler, JD, is founder and principal of Slingshot Solutions LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in behavioral health policy. With 20 years of policy experience- and over a decade in behavioral health- Kessler is a fixture in circles that advocate for substance abuse treatment, prevention, recovery, and research. He collaborates frequently with congressional…
Libby Jones
Libby Jones is the Program Director of GHAI’s Overdose Prevention Initiative. Libby leads the Initiative’s advocacy efforts, advancing federal policies to reduce the overdose death rate in the US by expanding access to treatment and promoting harm reduction. Prior to joining GHAI, Libby served as government relations officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts’ substance use…
Nikki Soda
Nikki Soda is a highly accomplished advocate and strategic marketer with a strong background in the behavioral health field. She possesses an MS in Addiction Policy from Georgetown University and has amassed 10 years of experience in this domain. Passionate about advocacy and public policy, Nikki actively engages in volunteering and community initiatives to make…
Teresa Miller
Teresa joined LAC in 2024 as the National Director of Health Initiatives, bringing a passion for racial justice and health equity. She leads LAC’s work to defend Medicaid and other public benefits for people with substance use disorders and arrest and conviction records. Previously, she served as Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner, secretary for the Department of…
Day Concludes & Exhibit Dismantle
America Honors Recovery Gala Dinner Check-in
America Honors Recovery Gala Dinner Welcome Reception
America Honors Recovery Gala Dinner
Pre-registration is Required with an additional fee to attend.
All Recovery Meeting
Breakfast
Behavioral Health Advocates to Hold Joint Capitol Hill Press Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, June 11 at 9:15 AM ET, national leaders from the mental health and substance use recovery movements will hold a joint press conference on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to protect and expand federal investments in behavioral health recovery.
The event is organized by the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) and Faces & Voices of Recovery, and will feature remarks from Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and grassroots advocates with lived experience of mental health and substance use conditions.
Speakers will highlight the urgent need to:
- Prevent harmful cuts to Medicaid and block grant funding
- Support the peer recovery workforce
- Invest in community-based alternatives to institutional care
A photo opportunity with members of Congress and advocates will follow on the Capitol steps at 9:45 AM.