Written by Domenica Personti, CEO of Impact Life
What an honor to represent Impact Life and sit at the table with some of the most forward-thinking leaders driving recovery-ready workplace initiatives across the U.S.! Brian Dietz did incredible work on this initiative, and I’m proud to share that we were one of only 15 organizations selected to attend this prestigious event at the White House.
From Director Rahul Gupta (ONDCP), Assistant Secretary Lisa Gomez (DOL), and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Coderre (SAMHSA), to influential voices from corporate America and labor unions, this group is setting the stage for a future where recovery and work are seamlessly integrated.
The conversation was deeply inspiring, starting with Annette Redding, who shared her powerful testimony on how stable and supportive employment strengthens the recovery process for so many. Her words were a reminder of the profound connection between recovery and the workplace.
We also heard from leaders in corporate America like Dana Wentzel Piscopo (Oracle), who spoke about how corporate benefit packages can support employees in recovery, ensuring that resources are available when they are most needed. Kimberly McRoy (Thermo-Kool) shared the importance of partnering with local Drug Courts and treatment providers to ensure that employees have access to essential care.
Stephanie Styles discussed how Gorilla Glue is committed to both local and national certification as a Recovery Friendly Workplace, while Abe Mathai highlighted the significant impact that recovery-friendly initiatives can have in rural communities, where resources are often scarce but the need is great.
Heather Healy offered valuable insights on the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) and its unique role in supporting union members’ recovery. Greg Sizemore from the Associated Builders and Contractors shared how they are working with over 23,000 construction companies to support workers with substance use disorder (SUD).
We also explored how Stephen Romero (UAW, Ford VanDyke Electrical Powertrain Center) is supporting employees in recovery, and how Bob Gold from GoMo Health is leveraging digital tools to foster recovery-friendly environments.
Hearing from Jo McGuire, Kyle F. Zimmer, David Shapiro, Kristie Curtis, and Van Ingram offered even more insight into how states and industries are coming together to shape recovery-ready workplaces.
At Impact Life, we are proud to contribute to this national effort by offering training to any business on Substance Use Disorder, addictions, mental health, or how to become a recovery-ready, recovery-friendly workplace. This training is suitable for any employer, large or small, and is especially valuable for businesses outside the behavioral health space. For more information, contact Brian at brian@impactlifetoday.org.
It was an incredible privilege to be part of these conversations, and I look forward to seeing how these efforts will continue to transform workplaces across the country.