Our Team

A strength-based, person-centered approach to supporting those who are new to or struggling with their recovery.

Get To know Our Dedicated team

As a recovery community organization, our programs and initiatives are powered by a dedicated team of people in recovery, reflective of the communities we aim to serve.

Administration

Administrative, operations, and managerial support team.

Sean O'Donnell, M.S.

CPRS, PRSS-S
Executive Director
executivedirector@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199 ext. 950
(702) 461-9649

Hortensia DeJesus

CADC, PRSS-S
Director of Programs
programs@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Sara Ayoub

CPRS, PRSS-S
Director of Education & Training
training@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Andrea Whaley

Operations Manager
operations@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Rich Redding

Controller
accounting@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199 ext. 952

Magda Hirsch

Director of Development
partnerships@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Office of Community Integration

Building recovery-oriented systems of care throughout Nevada is a central focus of our mission. Through innovative initiatives, our office of community integration works with partners to improve the coordination of care and integration of recovery support services. Learn more about the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative and Interfaith Recovery Initiative.

Robert Schomer, MSW

Workplace Advisor
Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, Las Vegas
workplace@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Jonathon Lambson

Workplace Advisor
Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, Reno
workplace@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

Kari Burgess

Training & Alumni Specialist
Education & Training Dept.
(702) 257-8199

Janet Lightfoot

Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Center for Behavioral Health
(702) 257-8199

Leah Villa

Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Center for Behavioral Health
(702) 257-8199

Wayne Simpson

Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Nevada Behavioral Health
(702) 257-8199

Lavell McIntyre

Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Nevada Behavioral Health
(702) 257-8199

Quinnie Winbush

Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Dignity Health | Empowered Program
(702) 257-8199

Recovery Community Center

Enriching community spaces organized and operated by local communities of recovery and offering individualized and group support, trainings, activities, and workshops, all at no cost to the community. Learn more about our recovery community centers and how you can start one in your local community.

Southern Nevada

Tina Fennel

CPRS, PRSS-S
Activities & Facilities Manager
Las Vegas, NV
southcenter@forrecovery.org
(702) 257-8199

David Nooks

CPRS, PRSS-S, MRT-F
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Band Camp Founder
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Diane Peiffer

CPRS, PRSS-S
Peer Recovery Coach
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Jorge Mijares

CPRS
Peer Recovery Coach
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Mackenzie Washburn

CPRS
Community Outreach Coordinator
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Charles Winston

CPRS
Transportation & Forensic Support
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Phillip Taylor

CPRS, SMART Facilitator
Volunteer Peer Recovery Coach
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Bill Bower

CPRS
Volunteer Peer Recovery Coach
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Tracy Adkins

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Terry Podorsek

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Yolanda Kemp

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Illona Ross

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Rita Wesley

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Tamara Giles

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Yolanda Ashford

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Allen Haunte

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Frank Justice

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Harold Tandjung

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Sandi Thornton

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Renee Villalpando

PRSS-I
Peer Recovery Coach Intern
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 257-8199

Strength in Numbers

Volunteers, Advisory Councils, and Our Board

Our team doesn’t end with these talented and dedicated staff members. Foundation for Recovery welcomes hundreds of volunteers and partner organizations to support a shared vision to expand community-based recovery supports and help individuals and families struggling today. Learn more about our board members, advisory councils, and ways you can get invovled.

Contact Us.

Recovery Friendly Workplace Ambassador

Southern Nevada Recovery Community Center

Our Activities Calendar

  • One-on-one Peer Recovery Support
  • Mutual Aid Meetings & Support Groups
  • Women’s Empowerment Workshops
  • GED or High school Equivalent Preparation
  • Overdose Prevention Training and naloxone (Narcan) Access Point
  • Computers
  • Library
  • Bus Passes
  • Recycled Clothing (Caring Closet)
  • Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training
  • Lounge Area
  • Classrooms & meeting spaces

The Southern Nevada Recovery Community Center offers several spaces open to the groups and organizations to rent for meetings, support groups, trainings, and events. Learn more or contact therooms@forrecovery.org for more information.

Contact us

Person-Directed Recovery

Person-centered recovery is directed, as much as possible by the person – including decisions about who should be included in the process.  The planning identifies just a few small, but meaningful, short-term changes that the individual can focus on helping to reduce some of the barriers or challenges moving forward.  Person centered care should be central to all recovery frameworks.

*Adapted from Person-Centered Care and Planning by Neal Adams, MD, MPH, and Diane Grieder, M.Ed.