SHARON HESSELTINE, BSW, PRESIDENT & CEO

It was a cold and dreary day in early of 2004 when Sharon Hesseltine took the flight that would end up changing everything.  Her seat was in the last row and after boarding from the gate at O’Hare, she slipped into the window seat, rested her head and truly slept for what seemed like the first time in a couple years.  It felt like only minutes before the flight attended announced “passengers, prepare for landing in Minneapolis/St. Paul” and from there her journey to recovery from many chaotic years in active addiction began.

Today, Sharon is the President and CEO of Intentional Beginnings Consulting & Training of Louisville, KY, a small non-profit with the mission of strengthening organizations and individuals serving those who experience substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma.  Sharon received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 1981, and in 2011 completed a post-graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota.  For over 30 years Sharon has worked in Public Health and specialized in early childhood development, women’s health and addiction. 

Her career has ranged from providing direct services to women through managing two sober living residences to designing and facilitating statewide and local collaborative initiatives that call on her skills in public policy, strategic planning, cross sector collaboration, program assessment and marketing. 

She is a national trainer, Technology Transfer Specialist and facilitator for multiple organizations including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC) and the Opioid Response Network. In 2018, Sharon took the lead in developing SUD specific training for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Sharon is passionate about reducing stigma associated with addiction and developing the capacity of communities, organizations and individuals to better meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders. With her husband, Scott Hesseltine, she currently resides in Louisville, KY.

A collective of diverse leaders:

Talley Russell 

Talley Russel currently serves as Director of Government Affairs for Humana. Talley has a successful history working at the crossroads of business, government and healthcare. Prior to her role at Humana, Talley was the Director of Operations for NASCEND a “B Corporation” improving care for infants and families affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Talley’s passions and skills center around Business Development, Public Policy, Legislative Relations with a passion for Advocacy and Community Building.

John McKnight

John “J.C.” McKnight is a highly-skilled financial advisor and one of the top 1200 advisors in the country as recognized by Barrons, and Best in State as recognized by Forbes in 2018. J.C. has spent his entire career with Merrill Lynch, joining the firm in 1992. J.C. has closely witnessed the devastating impact of addiction and transformation inherent to the process of recovery. He is a committed supporter of recovery-based organizations and activities.

Lonnetta Albright

Lonnetta Albright is the President and Owner of Forward Movement Inc., a small minority and female owned company. She is also a Certified John Maxwell Coach, Trainer and Speaker and member of the John Maxwell Team. Prior to the launch of Forward Movement, Lonnetta served as the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Lonnetta continues to provide training and consulting to states, institutions of high education and community organizations around Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, Recovery Management, Peer Based Recovery Systems and Building Racial Equity.

Ian Hooper

Ian Hooper is an experienced classroom teacher with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. He is skilled in Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Curriculum Adaptation and Program Design. Ian is a strong education professional with a Master of Arts focused in Teaching from the University of Louisville. He is a skilled performer and public speaker; Ian is also a self-motivated real estate entrepreneur and long-term recovery advocate.