Tom has been in recovery since 2006 and is passionate about changing the way we treat substance use and firmly believes that we must improve our systems of care by focusing on long-term recovery supports, allowing easier access to treatment and recovery resources, educating and supporting family members, and reducing stigma around substance use.  

bannardtn@vcu.edu

Omri became interested in working in peer recovery support services years after she came into recovery in 2013, and is passionate about ending the stigma against folks in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health disorders especially in the Black/Indigenous People/People of Color and LGBTQ+ communities. She recovers out loud as a proud black queer woman educator in her community, which has helped increase diverse visibility within her collegiate recovery program at VCU. 

Drawing from her own experience in long-term recovery, Kelly is passionate about breaking stigma, building community, and educating others about substance use, addiction, and mental health. With a background in the arts and as a yoga and meditation teacher, Kelly integrates creativity, mindfulness, and wellness into her recovery work—helping others find healing, empowerment, and connection through self-expression, and supportive spaces.

Lauren has been in recovery since 2006 and believes in the power of substance use education for stigma reduction, increasing equity and inclusion in recovery spaces, mindfulness as a way to disrupt the habit loop, and using Motivational Interviewing as a bridge in the help-seeking process. She is passionate about being a consistent source of support for students searching for their pathway to recovery.