Dr. Sandi Carlson brings over 15 years of experience in addiction psychology, research, and program development to her work with Family Recovery Foundations. With advanced degrees in psychology and substance use counseling, including a PhD in Addiction Psychology, she has dedicated her career to understanding the complex intersection of trauma, addiction, and family systems. Over the years, Sandi repeatedly saw how parents battling substance use were falling through the cracks, unable to access the support they needed to heal while keeping their families intact. In response, she co-founded Family Recovery Foundations to help fill those gaps in care. Grounded in trauma-informed principles and driven by data, Sandi’s work centers on building supportive, evidence-informed services that uplift parents and preserve family bonds.
With over a decade of experience in the recovery community, Michael Carlson brings a deeply personal perspective to his role at Family Recovery Foundations. Having walked the path of addiction and long-term recovery himself, he has a unique understanding of the challenges families face, especially parents trying to heal while raising children. Motivated by his own journey and a strong desire to give back, Michael co-founded Family Recovery Foundations to help families find hope, stability, and support outside of traditional treatment settings. He focuses on community engagement, resource-building, and advocacy to ensure parents affected by substance use are not navigating recovery alone.
Dannie has been with Family Recovery Foundation since its inception in September 2023, bringing more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and program coordination. With a strong background in grant writing, donor engagement, and event planning, she is deeply committed to supporting families affected by substance use disorder. Her professional path has taken her through roles in higher education abroad and mission-driven work across sectors, shaping a global perspective and deep understanding of how people connect, learn, and heal. She holds an MBA as well as a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. Passionate about equity and access, Dannie is dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s mission through sustainable fundraising strategies and compassionate community partnerships.
