Recovery. Connection. Community.
Join recovery leaders, peers, advocates, and partners from across Minnesota for a day of learning, storytelling, and practical strategies to strengthen recovery communities.
About the Summit
Explore keynote sessions, breakout tracks, peer-led insights, and practical tools designed to support stronger recovery ecosystems across Minnesota.
Keynotes
Carolina Ayala & Dr. Mary Roberson
Tracks
Community Engagement, Policy & Advocacy, PRSS, RCO Leadership
Audience
Recovery leaders, peers, providers, advocates, and community partners
Venue
Eagan Community Center
1501 Central Parkway
Eagan, MN 55121
Community Recovery Leadership Awards
Join MARCO for the first annual Community Recovery Leadership Awards and celebrate the people and organizations changing the system and building a recovery-oriented system of care.
Amazing things are happening in the grassroots recovery movement, and MARCO wants to recognize the individuals and organizations making lasting impact.
Join us on Monday, May 4 | 6–8 PM for our inaugural Community Recovery Leadership Awards Dinner. Celebrate the recovery community, network with other recovery champions, and enjoy an evening of hope and mutual admiration for your collaborators and partners.
Tickets
Award dinner tickets are included with conference registration.
Extras
Separate or additional dinner tickets may also be purchased in the registration form.
Deadline
Nominate an individual or organization by April 15.
Award Categories
Expand each category to read the full description.
Presented to Nell Hurley (2026)
Nell Hurley Award for Groundbreaking Leadership
Honoring sustained, innovative leadership that creates systemic change.
Nell Hurley Award for Groundbreaking Leadership
Honoring sustained, innovative leadership that creates systemic change.
Changing systems requires tilling the soil of the status quo, planting new ideas, and nurturing possibilities. The Groundbreaking Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization whose work has initiated or contributed to a paradigm shift toward a recovery-oriented system of care, specifically by demonstrating sustained, innovative leadership that results in systemic change.
MARCO is proud to name this award after Nell Hurley, its first recipient.
In 2010, Nell brought Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC) to life as its founding Executive Director. Under Nell’s leadership, MRC became Minnesota’s first Recovery Community Organization, setting the model for nonclinical peer recovery support services, public education, and recovery advocacy that RCOs initiate to mobilize resources and increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from substance use disorder.
A woman in long-term recovery, Nell has worked to remove barriers, lift up the recovery community, and open pathways for all who seek a life in recovery through her work at MRC and at national organizations such as the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, The Phoenix, and the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence.
Peer Recovery Support Services Award
Recognizing authentic, ongoing peer support across all pathways of recovery.
Peer Recovery Support Services Award
Recognizing authentic, ongoing peer support across all pathways of recovery.
Nonclinical peer recovery support services take many forms, from one-to-one coaching to peer-run activities that promote skills development and more.
MARCO’s Peer Recovery Support Services Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated ongoing commitment, integrity, and authenticity in using lived experience with substance use disorder and recovery to support all pathways of recovery within their community.
Public Education Award
Celebrating work that reduces stigma and advances public understanding of recovery.
Public Education Award
Celebrating work that reduces stigma and advances public understanding of recovery.
Education is at the heart of all system changes.
MARCO’s Public Education Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated sustained commitment to dispelling myths about substance use disorder, reducing stigma, advancing knowledge about recovery, and engaging the broader public in recovery-oriented solutions.
Recovery Advocacy Award
Honoring action and leadership that strengthens recovery for people, communities, and systems.
Recovery Advocacy Award
Honoring action and leadership that strengthens recovery for people, communities, and systems.
Whether speaking up on behalf of an individual navigating recovery barriers or advocating for recovery-supportive public policies, advocacy in all its forms is essential to building a recovery-oriented future.
MARCO’s Recovery Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated sustained commitment to speaking up, stepping out, and taking action to strengthen recovery for individuals, communities, or systems.
All Pathways, All People Award
Recognizing inclusive, person-centered support for diverse recovery journeys.
All Pathways, All People Award
Recognizing inclusive, person-centered support for diverse recovery journeys.
There is no wrong door to recovery, but it can be hard to find the door that works for you.
The MARCO All Pathways, All People Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated sustained commitment to harm reduction, culturally responsive recovery support, justice-involved recovery support, and other person-centered supports that foster inclusion of diverse lived experiences and recovery pathways.
Early Bird Pricing
Register early to lock in discounted summit pricing for individuals and groups.
Full Conference Early Bird Rate
Secure the best available rate for full conference attendance by registering during the early bird period.
Group Early Bird Rate
Groups of 3 or more. Bringing a team? Take advantage of group pricing and make it easier for more staff, peers, and partners to attend together.
Summit Schedule & Speakers
Explore two days of learning, connection, and leadership in recovery support. The summit schedule features keynote presentations, breakout sessions, shared conversations, and time to connect with peers and partners from across the community.
Day 1 Schedule
8:00–9:00
Check-In, Breakfast, and Networking
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Arrive, get settled, enjoy breakfast, and connect with fellow attendees, exhibitors, and community partners before the day begins.
9:00–10:15
Welcome and Keynote Presentation: Carolina Ayala
Founder and Executive Director, The Happier Life Project
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Founder and Executive Director, The Happier Life Project
Session Title:
Born Out of Community, Not Policy
Community is the heartbeat of recovery. Recovery Community Organizations and peer recovery support services started as grassroots movements responding to unmet community needs.
Carolina Ayala will explore how community-based roots can continue to guide leadership and organizational decisions as RCOs expand into mainstream continuum-of-care settings.
10:30–11:30
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
Faith, Culture, and Recovery: Creating Safe Healing Spaces for Muslim and East African Communities
Speakers: Hibat Sharif & Nawal Osman
Organization: GMCC
Room 2
Justice Involved Peer Support
Speakers: Sean Partch & Justin McNeal
Organizations: MN Prevention and Recovery Alliance; Begin Anew
Room 3
Human Resources Management: What Every RCO Should Know
Presenter: Deb Sherrer
Organization: Legal for Good
Room 4
Peers Leading the Way: Building Collaboration Without Losing Our Voice
Speakers: Cynthia Baade & Annette Tommila
Organization: Mission Restart
11:30–12:15
Lunch and Networking
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Enjoy lunch and continue conversations with speakers, attendees, and community partners.
12:15–1:15
Plenary: Belonging and Recovery: Who Feels Safe in Our Spaces?
Panelists: Carolina Ayala; Dr. Mary Roberson
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Panelists: Carolina Ayala; Dr. Mary Roberson
One of the greatest strengths of community-based organizations like RCOs is their ability to help people find a place of belonging that supports recovery and connection. Creating inclusive spaces, programs, and services that make participants feel safe takes ongoing work at all levels of an organization.
Panelists will discuss challenges and opportunities for RCOs in creating healing, inclusive environments to promote recovery for all who seek it.
Panelists:
Carolina Ayala, Founder and Executive Director, The Happier Life Project
Dr. Mary Roberson, Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization
1:30–2:30
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
The PAUSE Process: Strengthening Family Connection as a Protective Factor
Presenter: Merri Guggisberg
Organization: MKG Parent Coach
Room 2
Peer Supervision in Minnesota: Navigating Best Practices, Compliance, and the Evolving Landscape
Speakers: Kris Kelly, Frank Whitesell & Cheryl Laugen
Organizations: Great Lakes ATTC; Recovery Community Network; Recovery Is Happening
Room 3
Building Your RCO Board of Directors’ Toolkit
Presenter: Sarah Cohn
Organization: Aurora Consulting
Room 4
Civic Engagement 101
Presenter: Heidi Kloempken
Organization: League of Women Voters Minnesota
2:30–3:00
Exhibitor Extravaganza
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Explore resources, meet exhibitors, and connect with organizations supporting recovery work across the community.
3:00–4:00
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
Gambling - It's A Real Addiction: What You Need to Know & the Available Resources
Presenter: Susan Sheridan Tucker
Organization: Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling
Room 2
Compassion Fatigue
Presenter: Caddy Frink
Organization: Minnesota Recovery Connection
Room 3
RCO Evaluation Framework
Presenter: Julie Atella
Organization: Wilder Research
4:15–5:15
Birds of a Feather
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Join informal meet ups organized around shared interests, roles, and focus areas within the recovery community.
6:00–8:00
Community Recovery Leadership Awards
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Celebrate leadership, partnership, and progress in recovery support during this evening gathering.
Day 2 Schedule
8:00–9:00
Breakfast and Networking
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Begin the day with breakfast, reconnection, and conversation before programming resumes.
9:00–10:15
Welcome and Keynote Presentation: Dr. Mary Roberson
Founder and CEO, Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO)
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Founder and CEO, Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO)
Session Title:
Leveling Up Together
Changing systems to support long-term recovery has always been central to the RCO mission.
Dr. Mary Roberson will share how partnership, trust, and humility are essential as recovery support systems evolve.
10:30–11:30
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
Indigenous Perspective: Creating Decolonized Recovery Ecosystems
Presenter: Colin Cash
Organization: Pathfinder Solutions
Room 2
Leading in Recovery: When Compassion and Accountability Meet
Speakers: Cellie Dudley & McCoy Salgy
Organization: Recovery Alliance Duluth
Room 3
RCO Annual Legal Check Up - Are You "Good?"
Presenter: Jenn Urban
Organization: Legal for Good
11:30–12:00
Lunch and Networking
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Take time to recharge, connect, and continue conversations with attendees and presenters.
12:00–1:00
Plenary: The State of the Peer Recovery Specialist Workforce
Panelists: Randy Anderson; Justin Bell, PhD; Kris Kelly
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Panelists: Randy Anderson; Justin Bell, PhD; Kris Kelly
What are the key issues facing Minnesota's peer recovery specialist workforce, and what can we learn from other states? In this group discussion, panelists will highlight local and national research on peer workforce issues and identify practices other states use to develop and sustain this critical workforce.
Panelists:
Randy Anderson, Bold North Recovery
Justin Bell, PhD, Chestnut Health
Kris Kelly, Great Lakes ATTC
1:15–2:15
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
The Brain and SUD's
Speakers: James Anton & Ben Clark
Organization: Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota
Room 2
Safe Spaces
Speakers: Christopher Burks & Anthony Lee
Organization: Twin Cities Recovery Project
Room 3
First Aid for RCO Directors
Speakers: Roger Meyer & Melissa Martinez-Sones
Organization: Mighty Consulting
2:30–3:30
Breakout Sessions
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Room 1
A Peer Approach to Working With Life Sentences
Presenter: Justin McNeal
Organization: Begin Anew
Room 2
AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the CPRS Workplace
Presenter: Sean Partch
Organization: Strategic AI Solutions
Room 3
Updates and Q and A with the MN DHS Behavioral Health Team
Speakers: Darren Reed & Shelley White
Organization: MN DHS
Room 4
Building It Together: Shaping a Harm Reduction Endorsement for CPRSs
Speakers: Michael Chapman & Emanuel Roberts
Organizations: Steve Rummler HOPE Network; Anything Helps
3:45–4:00
Closing Remarks and Prizes
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Close out the summit with final reflections, appreciation, and prize drawings.
Keynotes
Born Out of Community, Not Policy
Community is the heartbeat of recovery. Recovery Community Organizations and peer support services were not created by policy, they were born out of grassroots movements responding to unmet needs with connection, compassion, and lived experience.
Carolina Ayala, Founder and CEO of The Happier Life Project, will explore how these community-based roots must continue to guide leadership and decision-making as RCOs expand into mainstream continuums of care.
A trauma-informed certified peer coach, facilitator, and advocate, Carolina brings a unique perspective shaped by both her professional experience and her lived experience as a justice-involved woman in long-term recovery. Her work bridges systems and community, helping re-center recovery in belonging, dignity, and human connection.
As living proof that recovery is possible, she has dedicated her life to advancing positive change in her community and beyond.
Leveling Up Together
Changing systems to support long-term recovery has always been central to the RCO mission.
Dr. Mary Roberson will share how partnership, trust, and humility are essential as recovery support systems evolve.
Dr. Roberson has over 30 years of experience in behavioral health and 33 years in sustained recovery.
She is the founder and CEO of Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO), a nationally recognized leader in recovery support.
She is also a Navy veteran, licensed clinical professional counselor, and leader across multiple state and local initiatives.
Breakout Session Guide
Explore sessions organized by focus area.
Community Engagement
Purple Track
Sessions focused on community connection, stigma reduction, family support, public education, and building stronger local recovery ecosystems.
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Sessions focused on community connection, stigma reduction, family support, public education, and building stronger local recovery ecosystems.
A Peer Approach to Working With Life Sentences
Explores how peer recovery support can guide and encourage people serving life sentences through parole preparation, accountability, and long-term hope.
The Brain and SUD's
Uses neuroscience-informed education to explain substance use disorder, reduce stigma, and offer hope through a clearer understanding of how substances affect the brain.
The PAUSE Process: Strengthening Family Connection as a Protective Factor
Highlights practical tools that help caregivers strengthen family connection and build resilience in recovery-oriented communities.
Peers Leading the Way: Building Collaboration Without Losing Our Voice
Examines how peer leaders can build strong partnerships while protecting lived-experience leadership, authenticity, and community-centered values.
Gambling - It's A Real Addiction: What You Need to Know & the Available Resources
Raises awareness about gambling disorder, its impact on individuals and families, and the resources available to reduce harm and strengthen support.
Indigenous Perspective: Creating Decolonized Recovery Ecosystems
Centers Indigenous knowledge, healing practices, and community wisdom in building recovery ecosystems that are culturally grounded and decolonized.
Policy & Advocacy
Black Track
Sessions centered on civic participation, systems change, public voice, justice reform, and strengthening influence in policy spaces.
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Sessions centered on civic participation, systems change, public voice, justice reform, and strengthening influence in policy spaces.
Civic Engagement 101
Offers a practical, nonpartisan overview of civic participation, public voice, and how communities can engage systems and decision-makers effectively.
Peer Recovery Support Services
Gray Lavender Track
Sessions focused on peer practice, lived experience, ethics, harm reduction, culturally responsive care, and direct service approaches.
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Sessions focused on peer practice, lived experience, ethics, harm reduction, culturally responsive care, and direct service approaches.
Justice Involved Peer Support
Shares practical strategies for serving peers who are incarcerated or impacted by the justice system, with attention to trust-building, advocacy, and effective communication across systems.
Safe Spaces
Explores why safe spaces matter, how they function, and how recovery organizations can create environments rooted in belonging, safety, and equity.
Leading in Recovery: When Compassion and Accountability Meet
Looks at how peer leaders and practitioners can hold space for compassion while still maintaining clear expectations, boundaries, and accountability in recovery work.
Building It Together: Shaping a Harm Reduction Endorsement for CPRSs
Creates space for collaborative input on peer-based harm reduction competencies, training needs, and ethical practice.
Faith, Culture, and Recovery: Creating Safe Healing Spaces for Muslim and East African Communities
Highlights culturally grounded and faith-informed recovery approaches that build trust, reduce barriers, and create safer healing spaces.
Compassion Fatigue
Addresses the emotional impact of helping work and offers insight into recognizing, preventing, and responding to compassion fatigue in peer support settings.
Peer Supervision in Minnesota: Navigating Best Practices, Compliance, and the Evolving Landscape
Provides a practical overview of peer supervision in Minnesota, including statutory expectations, documentation accountability, role boundaries, and emerging supervisory challenges.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the CPRS Workplace
Explores how artificial intelligence may show up in CPRS environments, including practical uses, ethical questions, and how technology can support peer work without replacing human connection.
RCO Leadership & Operations
Light Neon Pink Track
Sessions that support organizational sustainability, workforce development, partnerships, operations, and strategic leadership within RCOs.
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Sessions that support organizational sustainability, workforce development, partnerships, operations, and strategic leadership within RCOs.
First Aid for RCO Directors
Offers practical strategies for nonprofit and RCO leaders navigating uncertainty, including mission-centered decision-making, right-sizing programs, team alignment, and funding diversification.
Building Your RCO Board of Directors’ Toolkit
Focuses on the governance structures, policies, and decision-making processes that help boards support strong, sustainable RCO leadership.
RCO Annual Legal Check Up - Are You "Good?"
Reviews key legal and compliance considerations that help recovery organizations stay protected, prepared, and operationally sound.
Human Resources Management: What Every RCO Should Know
Provides a practical look at essential HR practices, people management considerations, and operational responsibilities for RCO leadership teams.
RCO Evaluation Framework
Introduces an evaluation-focused approach to measuring impact, strengthening programs, and supporting data-informed leadership within recovery organizations.
Updates and Q and A with the MN DHS Behavioral Health Team
Creates space for leaders to hear updates, ask questions, and engage directly with the Minnesota DHS Behavioral Health Team about current developments affecting the field.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
We are grateful for the organizations whose support helps make the Community Recovery Summit possible.
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Ready to support the Community Recovery Summit?
Sponsorship helps make this event possible and supports connection, learning, and recovery-focused resources for communities across Minnesota.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Learn more about available packages and ways to support the summit.
Sponsorship information is available separately from attendee registration.
