Who We Are
Join our community of professionals committed to learning new skills for expanding pathways to recovery.
Our Mission
Recovery is more than sobriety—it’s about liberating the leader within. The Way Onward trains mental health and recovery professionals as Certified Facilitators to bridge evidence-based leadership practices with person-centered recovery programs for the individuals they serve.
What Makes Us Different
The values we live by
Accessibility
We design content, tools, and resources that are easy to understand, practical to apply, and adaptable to diverse recovery settings. Our goal is to remove complexity and ensure our learning materials meet individuals where they are—culturally, emotionally, and experientially.
Agency
We believe everyone has the right to lead their own recovery. We equip mental health and recovery professionals with tools to make informed, values-aligned choices that support not only their personal growth and leadership but also enhance their capacity to deliver services to individuals at all stages of recovery.
Connection
We foster communities of learning and practice through empathy, shared stories, and mutual respect. We believe healing and transformation happen in relationship—with ourselves, with others, and within systems of care.
Credibility
We ground our work in evidence-based practices, professional integrity, and lived experience. We are committed to continuous learning, honest and transparent communication, and following through on our commitments – to ourselves, our colleagues, and those we serve.
Love
We lead with compassion, dignity, and the unwavering belief in an individual's capacity to grow and heal if they choose to do so. We see love as an active and deliberate practice — showing up, holding space, and lifting others with courtesy, care, and compassion.
Meet our Founder
Model the Way – Leading Yourself First
Founder
Accomplishments
Peer recovery coach and mindfulness teacher with knowledge of multiple pathways to recovery, including SMART Recovery, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and somatic techniques
20+ years of experience with The Leadership Challenge® and one of only 65 Certified Masters & Coaches worldwide to earn this prestigious designation from authors Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner
Frequently featured on television news and talk shows, radio, and podcasts
Recognized expert in leadership, organizational development, and recovery
Partnerships
Consultant for Opioid Response Network (ORN)
Trainer for Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative (IPWC)
Member of Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C)
User Review Panelist, Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS), Stanford
Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC)
Education
M.A., Strategic Communication & Leadership, Seton Hall University
B.A., Communication (Journalism & PR) Buena Vista University
Will you join us?
Join our community of professionals committed to learning new skills for expanding pathways to recovery.
