Advisory Board Members
The NPRA Advisory Board stands as a recognized assembly of trailblazers and visionaries, each board member is a titan in their respective fields within recovery advocacy and addiction awareness. Handpicked from among the nation's most influential experts, the board represents a convergence of unparalleled expertise, unwavering dedication, and boundless passion.
With personalities from diverse realms including academia, public policy, healthcare, media, and grassroots activism, the NPRA Advisory Board epitomizes the pinnacle of collective wisdom and leadership in the fight against addiction and substance use disorder.
Our board members’ strong spirits and relentless pursuit of change have propelled them to the forefront of the national dialogue, igniting hope for countless individuals and communities in need.
Through their guidance and steadfast commitment, NPRA continues to blaze new trails, catalyzing transformative initiatives and driving forward the movement towards a brighter, more compassionate future for all those affected by Substance Use Disorder.
Deborah Garrett has played a significant role in the growth and development of peer services and recovery community organizations (RCOs) in her home state of Michigan. She has helped to develop curriculum for peer support services and delivered services as an inpatient clinician. She previously served as Director of Recovery Communication for REAL Michigan, a Detroit-based recovery community organization, and worked with other recovery community organizations across the state developing infrastructure and providing training. Her experience also includes training as a first responder for her local Emergency Sexual Assault Service Provider, giving her a unique perspective on delivering gender-specific and trauma informed services.
Deborah served as an appointee to the state's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee which oversees the block grant funding application process and is the current Board President of the Michigan Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors.
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Administration. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor and Prevention Specialist.
In addition to her personal and professional experience, her course work has included volunteer and human resource management, resource development, strategic planning and program implementation.
Deborah Garrett
Dan McCawley, ICPR, CIP, is a West Virginia native and a person in recovery. Dan is the director of operations for West Virginia Sober Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit specializing in peer-run recovery residences and community outreach. He is an internationally certified peer recovery support specialist and certified interventionist, giving him a well-rounded perspective on substance use disorder care.
Dan brings decades of operational management to the team and enjoys the challenges of a wide array of operations. He is a leader in the peer community in West Virginia and across the nation. His insight into best practices in peer recovery have led him to develop peer recovery trainings for continuing education in West Virginia and beyond.
Dan McCawley
Stefanie Robinson
Stefanie Robinson
Stefanie Robinson is the Executive Director of Hope Recovery Community in Medina County, Ohio, and coordinates recovery peer support services at OhioGuidestone. She also directs Recovery Support Services for Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR). With over 13 years in recovery from substance use, mental health, and an eating disorder, Stefanie has served on multiple boards, including the National Peer Recovery Alliance.
In 2016, she collaborated with Medina County Adult Probation and the Court of Common Pleas to launch the Recovery Center of Medina County and established Hope Recovery Community in 2018. Stefanie has received numerous accolades for her recovery work, including the Cleveland Clinic Medina County Community Service Award (2017), Recovery Advocate of the Year (2018), OhioGuidestone Regional MVP (2019), OneStep Peer Supporter of the Year (2019), and the State of Ohio Cares Award (2020).
Dave Sheridan
Dave Sheridan
Dave Sheridan is the Executive Director and co-founder of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. As a national speaker and writer, he focuses on developing and managing statewide recovery housing systems and advises state agencies on recovery housing support and certification. His work includes policy development for recovery housing, medication-assisted recovery, and fair housing issues.
Active in addiction recovery since 2005, Dave has served as a board member for a Southern California recovery housing organization, held management roles with a major addiction treatment provider, and been on the boards of two nonprofit recovery residences. He has a background in institutional investment management and holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
Brenda Schell
Brenda Schell is the Missouri Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy, a national project dedicated to building partnerships between public health and public safety agencies and organizations in each individual state. The mission of the Overdose Response Strategy is to help communities reduce fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses by connecting public health and public safety agencies, sharing information, and supporting evidence-based interventions.
Previously, Brenda spent 10+ years as Executive Director of a statewide substance use recovery advocacy organization whose mission was to eliminate barriers to recovery for all affected by substance use disorders. While in this position, she wrote a grant to bring the first SUD peer training to Missouri. She also served as the Diversion Outreach Coordinator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) St. Louis Field Division, covering the states of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.
Brenda has a tremendous amount of knowledge, skill and experience working in the substance use recovery field. She has served on multiple statewide and national committees to identify and provide recommendations for improving programs for the prevention, treatment and recovery from substance use disorders.
Honesty Liller
Honesty Liller is a woman in long-term recovery from addiction. She has been drug and alcohol free since May 27, 2007. Honesty's mission as CEO is firmly rooted in community outreach and involvement. She gets to walk in her purpose every day helping those in the community heal from their addiction. She is responsible for community and fundraising events, advocacy, public relations, and is a Recovery Coach to females in our program, as well as Best Selling Author of Scattered Pink.
Peer support is critical to our comprehensive treatment model at Addiction Recovery Care.
Connecting our clients to peers has proven to be very effective and impactful.
Addiction Recovery Care
Ken Brown, CRPS, NCPS, works for the Florida Department of Children and Families and is the Recovery Oriented System of Care Quality Improvement Specialist for the state’s Suncoast Region.
Ken is a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) through the Florida Certification Board (FCB), a National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) through Mental Health America (MHA) and a recognized/certified trainer for peer specialists seeking certification through the State of Florida. He is also an advanced level WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, providing courses throughout the Suncoast region as well as other trainings for peers.
Ken plays a role in developing Recovery Community Organizations within the Suncoast region and also works closely with mental health and substance use providers on prevention, education and harm reduction.
Ken Brown
Kristina Padilla
Kristina Padilla is a nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and a prominent leader in addiction recovery and LGBTQ+ advocacy, currently serving as Vice President of Education and Strategic Development at CCAPP. With a strong background in criminal justice and counseling psychology, holding multiple advanced degrees and certifications, Mx. Padilla has significantly impacted in-prison counseling programs, peer support training, and national DEI initiatives. They are actively involved in numerous boards, including NALGAP and the Native American Institute, and are recognized for their extensive consulting, training, and lecturing on LGBTQIA2+ issues, addiction, and program development, alongside being a parent and an active member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.