Jim Braastad is the Training Program Manager/Training Coordinator for SMART Recovery.  Jim has been with SMART since 2009 and has served in many volunteer roles over the years, including as a Message Board Volunteer and the Message Board Volunteers Liaison on SMART Recovery Online (SROL). He's been part of the online training team since being first recruited in 2009. Jim believes in SMART Recovery’s focus of helping people to help themselves to “Discover the Power of Choice”. As you move forward with your plans, Jim hopes you find your time spent volunteering with SMART Recovery to be as rewarding as he has.

Katie Mackey is the E-Learning Coordinator at SMART Recovery.  She began at SMART Recovery in 2018.  She has fantastic technological skills along with a passion for helping others. Katie is a vital part of the National Office team and also works with SMART Recovery International where her work has been praised. Katie has seen how addiction can impact individuals and their families personally. Katie believes strongly that the training program offers the skills and information for a facilitator to be effective in meetings, but also for an individual to make everyday choices whether they are in recovery or not.

Melina Gilbert is the Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for SMART Recovery.  Melina has worked at SMART since 2016 as a part time employee. In 2019 she accepted the full-time position of Volunteer Outreach Coordinator. Part of her role is to make sure all our SMART volunteers have the resources they need to start and maintain meetings. Being part of the training team has taught her so much about SMART and their dedication to our volunteers. The skills and tools that she learned while taking the facilitator training have been helpful not only in supporting her children with addictive behaviors, but also her communication and problem solving in general. Melina is so happy to be part of such an amazing family of volunteers, staff, and board members. 

Sarah E. Lauzen found SMART Recovery while frantically looking for an alternative to AA/Quad A in January 2013. Sarah believes that everyone’s addiction is somewhat unique and that each person should be empowered to find what works for them in their recovery. For Sarah that was SMART Recovery. She believes that many people, like her, use substances and behaviors in an attempt to take control of their lives, and the unintended consequence of that is addiction. She is looking forward to getting to know you and to learn alongside you in your training experience.

Gayeanne "Sam" Lester has volunteered for SMART Recovery since 2005 as an Online Facilitator, Facilitator Liaison and a team member of the Online Facilitator’s Get SMART Fast  training course. Since 2016 she has been conducting Onsite Facilitator Training at facilities for the two-day training course. Sam shares, “Throughout the years, I have always enjoyed being a part of the SMART Recovery community, not only for others but for my own wellbeing. When I am not ‘doing SMART Recovery’, I enjoy my time with our two adult boys and their families while working as a professional photographer.”

Kevin Minnick has been an addictions professional for 30 years in all phases of the field. His involvement with SMART Recovery began in the late 90’s and continued to where he is now, serving as the Chair of the Regional Coordinators Committee. He has served as a volunteer for United Way and other local non-profits in the Indianapolis area over the last 12 years. He is currently a Court Treatment Specialist for the State of Indiana and Hancock County Government.