Our Staff
Founder and CEO
Year started at HOPE: 1996
Why I am at HOPE : Quite simply, the people we serve – the recovery community – are my life’s work, passion and calling. It is an honor for me to be a part of another’s recovery journey, to witness someone who comes to us broken become whole, restored, and fulfilling their true purpose. Community and connection are the healing agents of the recovery process, and there is an art to creating healthy environments. I am privileged to lead such a talented, passionate team who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality care and community to the individuals and families we serve.
Experience: I began working in behavioral health in 1987, and hold licensure in social work and addictions, as well as certification in addictions counseling, supervision, and medication assisted treatment. I have extensive experience working in family systems and have always worked in recovery residences at various levels since the onset of my career. In 2011 I helped to form the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, an organization that promotes and promulgates ethics and standards for residential communities. I am presently the Standards chair for NARR, and do a fair amount of writing, mentoring and teaching on ethics, standards and best practices for recovery residences.
Favorite parts of the job: Collaboration of any kind – with our residents, families, staff team or referral sources. I am a ‘people person’ and thrive on connecting with others. I especially value growth, and love encouraging others in their goals.
Goals for this year: Spread the good news about all that we offer at HOPE Recovery. Personally, I hope to complete an ultra-marathon (30 miles or higher!).
In my free time: I enjoy time with family and friends, running, music, movies, travel, cooking and reading.
My ‘Why’: When I was younger my career focused more on me, and how I could better myself. Then eventually how I could better my family. As I got older my desire to shift that focus from me to how I could help others better themselves became strong. HOPE has given me the opportunity to fulfill that. After seeing first-hand within my own family, the devastating effects of addiction I knew this was the place for me to make a difference. It is an honor to watch people grow in their recovery and learn beside some of the greatest people I’ve ever had the chance to work with.
Experience: I come from a background in human resources, office management, and customer service. I believe all these things help me to contribute to the staff and residents here at HOPE. I handle all the day-to-day operations here in the office. I also handle all invoicing, accounts payable and receivable. Chances are, if you need something, I’m the person you are looking for.
Favorite parts of the job: I love speaking to families and sharing what we do. I get to see firsthand every step of our residents’ journey, from the first phone call to graduation.
Goals for this year: Taking a little more self-care time.
In my free time: Spending time with my family, watching documentaries and the beach.
Experience: Before my time at HOPE Recovery, I worked with the children of parents who have mental health or substance use disorder. Being able to see addiction/ mental health struggles from the side of a family member gives me a unique perspective in the way I do my job now. Once I came to HOPE Recovery, I worked closely under the supervision of our licensed therapist and am continuing to take classes on mental health and substance use disorder.
Why do I work at HOPE: My why is very simple. I’m a big fan of second chances, sometimes third or fourth chances, too. I strongly believe that recovery is for everyone. To be able to be a part of any of our women’s journey is a privilege. I had great mentors along the way who provided me the tools I needed to get back on my feet and be a productive member of society.
Being able to play a small role in someone else becoming a better woman, friend, spouse, and/or mother is gratifying beyond words.
My favorite part of the job: My favorite part of being a counselor at HOPE is leading Monday night groups. Monday nights are when we gather for all recovery meeting and community meetings. It’s a night where we get to share with each other our triumphs and our challenges in a family setting. I love being a part of facilitating the women supporting and cheering each other on.
Goals for this year: I would like to have received my CSAC certification. I would like to grow our HOPE alumni group here in Charlotte. Lastly, I would like to become more involved with volunteering with the law enforcement who handle mental health crisis.
Free time: In my free time, I love playing with my almost two year old! We do everything together from making homemade pretzels, to buying things we don’t need at Target, to running out her endless supply of energy at the park. I also love thrift shopping, baking, and lifetime movies.
My ‘Why’: Supporting and problem solving with others in the midst of difficult life moments and all types of early recovery in a compassionate way is why I chose to work at HOPE. Helping others move forward and experience whatever they define as success is what motivates and gratifies me.
Experience: 180 hours of certified addiction training and experience working with SUD and many types of mental health and behavioral issues.
Favorite parts of the job: Without question my favorite part of this work is fostering a sense of community through levity and the genuine connection of sharing and working though struggles while still having fun.
Goals for this year: To take the CAC exam and receive my certification for addiction counseling, to get outside with my dog more and to do more reading and writing.
In my free time: I like to stay active, whether that be hiking, weightlifting or just taking a long walk. Physical activity is integral to my personal well-being and something I promote to all our residents. I also enjoy literature, discovering new music and being a fanatical follower of Georgia Football and Arsenal Football Club.
My ‘Why”:As a proud graduate of the HOPE program, my time spent as a resident made it obvious to me that this organization consists of staff members with the capability, passion, and genuine care. The immense amount of heartfelt engagement and professionalism are what confirmed in my heart that HOPE was a team I needed to belong to.
Experience: I use my own personal experience in recovery, my time spent as a resident of HOPE, along with the skills and tools I learn from my coworkers, supervisors, and professional educators to serve the HOPE community. I worked as a Behavioral Health Technician at a local Intensive Outpatient Program for 11 months before making the transition into counseling at HOPE, where I am continuing my education, supervision, and working hours required to obtain my counseling certification.
Favorite parts of the job: My favorite part of working at HOPE is taking a step back and watching the community do what it does – support each other through difficult times in recovery, provide accountability, and build genuine connection.
Goals for this year: To continue to make progress towards my counseling certification and to re-engage in a higher level of education.
In my free time: I enjoy working on cars and motorcycles, anything involving live music (pre Covid), and spending time with my dog, Winston.
Counselor, Atlanta Men
Year started at HOPE: 2016
My ‘Why’: HOPE came into my life at a time when I was seeking opportunity to work directly with young men seeking a system of structured support to help develop a better version of themselves. HOPE has provided this opportunity for me in more ways than I could have imagined! Working with individuals that have repeatedly made decisions that create hardships for themselves and their families is spiritually rewarding. The essence of my “giving back” is nurtured at HOPE and the successes are evident in the works and deeds of the young men that have accepted HOPE Recovery as a way of life.
Experience: I began my journey into Recovery as a way of life in June of 1988. Through family support, the use of self-help meetings, therapy and working with numerous spiritual mentors and teachers, I have been afforded and blessed with a life that I am truly proud of and in love with. In 1999, my path led me to a career in Mental Health. Providing services in numerous facilities, I have had the opportunity to learn and practice use of clinical skills and application of therapeutic modalities that have proven successful in the field of mental health disorders and substance abuse. I completed my BA in Psychology and maintain Certification as an Addiction Counselor Level II, an Anger Management Specialist and a Grief Specialist.
Favorite parts of the job: My favorite part of the job here at HOPE is providing education, counsel and life skills guidance for the young men I work with, the community I live in and the families I serve. The Family Support Group I facilitate has provided many wonderful experiences. Seeing and being part of the social model that inspires growth and development in the individuals and their families is what this is all about for me!
Goals for this year: To maintain inspiration that is growing into a changing world around me. I am truly jazzed about the direction of HOPE. My curiosity enjoys helping new ideas become a reality that provides aide for the population we serve.
In my free time: I use the time I have away from the job to enjoy my family, spending time with my sweetheart and my enjoying /caring for our home. I enjoy playing competition sports (trash talking included), traveling and riding motorcycle. My dogs are wonderful companions and help keep me active as well. Meetings, reading, old movies and vinyl records are among my hobbies.
My ‘Why’: I want to help others get to know themselves and realize (or re-realize) their goals and passions in life. I believe relationships and connection to others is what brings our lives purpose and gives us joy. I want to be able to help residents build the types of relationships they want to have, both with themselves and with others.
Experience: I graduated magna cum laude from Georgia College in 2022 after earning my Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Using knowledge from the classroom, as well as knowledge from lived experience, I hope to affect positive change in the residents I work with. I am also continuing my education, working on becoming a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Favorite parts of the job: My favorite part of the job has been cooking for our residents at Fellowship Meal nights and getting to know them at a more individual level. I love finding ways to connect with our residents and fostering ways for our residents to connect with each other and build community.
Goals for this year: My goals are to gain classroom hours towards my CADC certification, begin to look at programs where I can earn my Masters in Social Work, read at least 25 books, and continue to foster fulfilling, healthy relationships in all areas of my life.
In my free time: I love listening to music, making playlists, and going to concerts. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and family, reading, going for hikes, cooking delicious meals, and cuddling my cat.
