About
Who we are
Just A Little Help Can Make Their Hearts Happier
Mothers Against Addiction is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping mothers and families affected by addiction. We offer support, resources, and information to mothers struggling with addiction, as well as those who have lost a child to addiction. We believe that mothers are the key to ending the cycle of addiction, and we are committed to helping them heal and rebuild their lives.
Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.
Board
Justin Harris
Chairperson
Justin is a lifelong Alaskan…well, almost. He was born on the big island of Hawaii and moved to Alaska at the age of four. Justin entered the mortgage business in 2001, and is a co-owner of First Rate Financial, a local Mortgage Brokerage. He has helped thousands of families purchase their first home and achieve the dream of homeownership and now leads a team of Mortgage professionals to do the same. Justin loves raising his three beautiful daughters in Alaska, sharing with them all that he enjoyed as a child. Today you will find him downhill skiing riding his fat-tire bike during the winter months and in the summer, competing in triathlon and bicycle races, camping, hiking, and remote rafting adventures
Shana Ackles
Vice Chairperson
I choose to give my time, and resources to Mothers Against Addiction because I have seen the value in giving people a safe place to talk. Mothers Against Addiction mission is in part, to Silence the Stigmatism, it is not until this is done that we can begin to see people heal from this disease and not die. When we, through MAA, create a resource for people struggling with and through addiction, together we can heal, help others heal, help those in recovery find a path to thrive, and protect the youngest generation. Only if and not until we talk about it, talk loud, talk often, unite in one cause and become one large force.
Emily Aylott, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Emily is a dynamic individual that brings over a decade’s experience within: Healthcare, Marketing, and Leadership to the MAA team. She has multiple avenues of success through a variety of different philanthropy projects, and her biggest role to date, being a mother. Emily grew up outside of the Boston area until 2017. She has since moved to where currently resides in Southern New Hampshire with her two wonderful children, partner, and two cats.
After becoming pregnant with her son in her highschool years, she made it a goal to build a stable and successful foundation for her child by focusing on continuing her education and career. Emily was able to buy her first home by the age of twenty. She continued accomplishing many proactive endeavors during her young adult years. She gained a Bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University by age twenty-one, obtained her post-baccalaureate certificate by age twenty-five, and a MBA from Fitchburg State University by age twenty-six.
Currently, Emily is a Clinical Admissions Director, and travels to school districts throughout New England, speaking to the young parent population, addressing obstacles, offering solutions to help other mothers reach their educational and financial goals. Emily is so grateful to be a part of important organizations that truly embodies support, growth, and community togetherness.
Nubia Tarango
Chief Marketing Officer
Nubia provides communications support through our developing Tik Tok channel for Mothers Against Addiction. She is passionate about raising awareness through a digital media platform connecting people through the process of recovery and support. Witnessing her own mother struggling with addiction, she understands the pain and hardships one undergoes.
Nubia became a mother at the early age of 15 which sparked in her a deep sense of responsibility and empathy for others. This life experience shaped her career orientation. As a proud mother of two boys, she strives to be a positive role model and show them the importance of resilience and kindness.
Her faith guides her to fulfill the purpose that she believes the Lord has set for her, empowering others on their journeys to healing.
Hobbies: Singing, dancing, writing, and reading.
Cathy Canada, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Cathy Canada is a seasoned Chief Financial Officer with extensive experience across nonprofit and corporate sectors. With an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Alabama, Cathy has a robust foundation in financial strategy, compliance, and management.
Currently serving as the CFO of Mother’s Against Addiction and Solution Community, Inc., Cathy leads financial operations for innovative nonprofits focused on helping those impacted by addiction and global collaboration to develop a social platform to solve current world challenges. Her role emphasizes financial sustainability through budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. Previously, she was the VP and CFO at Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc., where she supervised treasury and grants departments, managed budgets exceeding $100 million, and implemented financial systems across international teams.
Cathy’s background includes pivotal CFO roles in organizations like Hibiscus Children’s Center, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she drove strategic financial planning and compliance. Her corporate experience includes roles such as Financial Controller at Silverfin Development Co., overseeing high-value assets and operations at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. With expertise in global payment systems, financial reporting, and advanced accounting software, Cathy excels at fostering financial health and implementing effective controls for both nonprofit and corporate entities.
Cathy resides in Curacao, just off the coast of Venezuela with her husband and two dogs.
Paula Pry
Chief Financial Strategist
Paula Pry is a seasoned nonprofit CFO, Controller, Finance Director, whatever title which means chief cook and bottle washer in the finance department. She brings over 30 years of experience working in various types of nonprofit organizations from community action agencies, agencies on aging, to transitional housing for homeless veterans.
Paula is well versed in keeping an agency compliant with both programmatic and financial requirements as this is absolutely necessary to work audit proof: to work in such a way that you consistently bring in excellent audits with little to no findings in a timely manner.
Paula is currently finishing her Masters in Managerial Accounting and will be done next year, when she will also sit for the CMA exam. She was drawn to this organization because she is the mother of three children, however, one of her children died of an overdose in 2010 and this is a way for her to help this situation any way she can so that maybe, just maybe, one child can be saved and one mother prevented from feeling that pain.
Donavon Warren
Founding Board Member
Donavon Warren is a multifaceted talent and visionary entrepreneur, best known for his work in the entertainment industry with streaming service Loaded Media and his independent movie “Wheels.” Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 16, 1980, Donavon moved to Los Angeles at 18, enduring eight months living in his Jeep before making his mark in the industry. He not only starred in but also wrote and co-directed “Wheels,” which gained international acclaim. Through his production company, Loaded Dice Films, Donavon continues to make an impact, producing and distributing films globally. In 2022, he began working on five new films, including “Vampire Apocalypse” and the time-travel series “Time Wars.”
Beyond filmmaking, Donavon is the CEO of Mortgage Rater and a serial entrepreneur with ventures spanning various sectors. His companies include Iso Brian, which focuses on premium nutritional supplements; Loaded Media, a streaming platform; and Loaded Media, which now streams movies. Additionally, he owns 12 magazines, various news outlets and more. His diverse portfolio showcases his adaptability and innovation across industries, reflecting his commitment to leveraging technology to improve lives.
Donavon is also deeply committed to giving back. He has a personal connection to the struggles of addiction and is passionate about supporting Mothers Against Addiction. Having been affected by addiction, Donavon understands the challenges faced by families and is dedicated to helping mothers who are struggling. Through his charitable efforts, he aims to provide support and resources to those in need, making a positive impact on their lives.
Larisa Sharetskaya
Founding Board Member
Larisa Sharetskaya is a woman of many talents. She is an advertising executive with more than 20 years of experience helping her clients succeed. Originally from Belarus, she now lives in Texas with her family.
She is also a dedicated volunteer and coach, working to make the world a better place. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, reading books about self-development and health, and practicing hot yoga. She also loves jogging with her dog and hiking in the great outdoors.
Larisa Sharetskaya is a woman of many talents who uses her skills to help her clients and the world around her succeed. With more than 20 years of experience in advertising, she has the knowledge and drive to create successful campaigns. She volunteers her time and energy to causes she is passionate about and coaches others to reach their potential. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active by practicing hot yoga, jogging with her dog, and hiking. Larisa is dedicated to making a difference in the world and helping others achieve their goals.
Charlette Garff, ASUDC, ADS
Chief Program Officer
Charlette was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. After marriage she moved to Albuquerque, NM, Southern Nevada, and then made her way to the warmth of Southern Utah. After raising 5 children, she decided to return to school. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a certificate in chemical dependency counseling. Charlette is a Utah licensed advanced substance use disorder counselor and has seen the devastation substance abuse has on families. She believes women can be much more affected by a loved one with an addiction than anyone else. Charlette is happy to join Mother’s Against Addiction as their group facilitator.
She completed her internship at a residential treatment center, went on to work at an outpatient opioid treatment center and also in a private setting. Charlette has a passion for helping people and hopes to make a difference at MAA by helping women learn skills that will help them through the challenges of substance abuse.
She has been married 39 years and has 5 children and 14 grandchildren. Being a grandmother is one of the greatest joys of her life. She loves to spend time with my family, including her two dogs, read, quilt, travel, and spend time in the sunshine near water.
Gary Gallemore
Founding Board Member
Gary is from Southern California originally before joining the US Army Infantry in 2008. Completed two combat deployments to Iraq & Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in 2016 after a successful career as a Staff Sergeant in Fairbanks Alaska. After that, he decided to get into the world of real estate and kept his drive up from his Army days to quickly excell to the number one listing agent in the Interior of Alaska. He enjoys improving himself, helping others grow, and spending time with his family.
Arlynda Almond PhD, PHR
HR Manager
Arlynda Almond is a seasoned Human Capital Management professional with extensive strategic and operational experience in public, private, and global sectors. Her professional experience includes strategic human capital planning, employee relations and engagement, performance management, talent acquisition, and organizational optimization. Her leadership roles involved planning and oversight of strategic projects, innovative strategies, continuous improvement initiatives, HR analytics, and leadership development.
Arlynda has invested time in her own small nonprofit organization partnering with other non-profits to help individuals navigate and overcome challenges related to critical life skills with the goal of promoting productive community citizens. Her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science and PhD in Human and Social Services, with an emphasis in Mental Health Facilitation, has underscored her passionate advocacy for creating positive social changes in the lives of many.
Her motivation in dedicating time and effort in promoting healthy communities continually energizes her empathy while sustaining her love in caring for others.
Alexis Lopez
Graphic Designer
Alexis Lopez is a motivated and passionate Graphic Designer with 7 years of design experience. She received an associates degree in Digital Media Design and her major strengths are designing marketing materials, print publications and social media graphics. Her interests outside of graphic design are: playing musical instruments, traveling, and spending time with family. She is fully dedicated to helping others reach their design goals, inspiring others, and making a positive impact with her artwork.
Giovani Casseus
Grant Writer
I am Giovani Casseus, MS/EdS, LPCC, and I currently serve as a mental health therapist in Colorado outside of being a grant writer for Mothers Against Addiction. In my leisure time I enjoy: taking long walks in nearby cities or beaches, spending time at coffee shops, traveling and sightseeing, writing and journaling, and catching up on clinical research.
Sophie Sargent
Video Editor
Sophie is a video editor originally from Maryland. She moved to Arizona to attend the University of Advancing Technology where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Digital Video. After completing an internship with Vendetta Sports Media, Sophie continued to work with them and was promoted to Lead Video Editor.
Outside of editing, Sophie enjoys playing video games, playing musical instruments, snowboarding, baking, and exploring new places.
Christian Saechao
Web Developer
Outside of his professional life, Christian is an avid snowboarder, enjoys fishing, competing in cornhole tournaments, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. He is deeply passionate about continuous learning, expanding his full-stack development expertise, and making a meaningful impact in every project he undertakes
Brian Akin
Graphic Designer
I’m Brian Akin, a graphic designer and illustrator based in Toronto. With a background in illustration and a passion for creating impactful visuals, I’ve honed my skills across branding, motion graphics, and editorial design. My journey started at George Brown, where I studied graphic design, and has grown through freelancing and collaborating on diverse projects, from sports branding to creative campaigns. I draw inspiration from life, music, and culture to craft designs that tell meaningful stories. As I continue to evolve as a creative, my focus is on pushing boundaries and shaping visuals that connect with audiences.
Logan Simms
Graphic Designer
Logan is a graphic designer from Wisconsin with 8 years of experience in the field. He specializes in creating real estate flyers, branding, and logo design. Logan also has a strong background in photo editing and marketing design, which has allowed him to deliver polished and effective work for a variety of clients. Before entering the world of graphic design, Logan developed leadership, time management, and problem-solving skills in fast paced environments. This experience provided a unique perspective on teamwork and creativity, which he carries into his design work today. Outside of design, Logan enjoys attending concerts, cooking, traveling, fishing and exploring new creative projects.
Nakia Bennett
HR Manager
A dedicated HR professional with a passion for empowering people and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. I bring over a decade of expertise in HR operations, employee relations, and HRIS platforms, ensuring organizations align their people strategies with their goals. As a volunteer at Kids’ Meals in Houston, I am committed to giving back to the community and making a meaningful impact. Known for my ability to build trust, mentor teams, and resolve challenges with empathy, I thrive on creating environments where individuals can grow and succeed. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading, and cherishing time with my grandkids, who keep me inspired and energized!
Brian Gray
Former Board Member
Sometimes you ponder the majesty of the universe by jumping on a snowboard and careening down a mountain.
And sometimes you lead a team to victory at Tony Robbins’ Business Mastery.
That’s balance. And for Brian Gray, that’s life.
As a child, he watched his father get stuck in a middle management position he hated, so as an adult he promised himself he would never fall into the same trap. He figured that you are going to spend a huge amount of time on this planet working to live, so you might as well enjoy it, right? To do that you don’t have to be extraordinary in every aspect of your life (because let’s face it, who is?) but you do have to approach every opportunity with extraordinary tenacity.
Brian joined Gursey Schneider as a Director in the tax and accounting department in 2012 and became a partner in January 2014. Before that, he held positions as a Tax Director at a national accounting firm and as Director of Finance and Tax for a family office. He has extensive experience working with high-net-worth individuals and their estate planning attorneys to design and implement tax efficient estate plans. He also focuses on identifying the income tax savings opportunities that exist when asset-holding companies, family limited partnerships, trusts, and foundations are used to achieve the client’s wealth transfer and philanthropic goals.
While he loves working with his team to solve complex tax issues, that does not mean he finds it easy to help his children with their common core math homework. He is at his natural best when he is working with his team of dynamic advisors who continually strive to improve and provide clients with creative solutions. His team maintains a culture of trust and support, much like his family, and they aim for the sophistication of a large international tax firm but with the hospitality and service of a smaller boutique.
It was at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting, that he realized his analytical mindset combined with his problem solving skills would be ideal for a career in tax. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, but still craves the freedom of falling into a great book or documentary.
He knew this career would be a great fit for him professionally, but he also learned the value of switching off his mind and stepping away from his desk once in a while to better serve his clients.
It really is all about balance.
Ryan Blair
Former Board Member
Ryan Blair, is an experienced entrepreneur with over 24 years of creating and coordinating highly successful companies. Ryan has a broad range of experience across multiple industries ranging from agriculture, fitness, health, and wellness, as well as construction and design. He has held numerous roles ranging from owner/operator, business development, operational oversight, and various management or leadership positions.
Ryan’s ingenuity, honesty and creativity help him think outside the box to make concepts come to life and find creative solutions to business challenges. He is an active family-man and member of his community, previously coaching for his children’s softball, baseball, and soccer teams, while also serving on different Board of Directors roles. Some of Blair’s personal hobbies and interests include hanging out with his family, the beach, golf, hiking, skiing, camping, tennis, hockey, baseball & softball, travel / exploring and most any outdoor activity.
He joined the Board of Mother’s Against Addiction for personal reasons, having lost his middle brother to drugs and addiction in his early 20’s. Ryan would like to help create awareness and a support system, to assist individuals and families navigating these difficult challenges in life.
Alexander Klaus
Former Board Member
I see myself as a learning machine: I study business models, durable competitive advantages, and psychology. My personal vision is “to positively and sustainably impact community and humankind”. Today, I follow that vision as CEO of a multi-unit franchise operation in the health & wellness industry, and as a Results Coach to company founder.
As a father of two, and with an aim of consciously raising our children, I recognize the difficulty of addressing addiction in an environment of easy access to highly addictive substances. How do we as parents lead our children towards information that can lower their risk of addiction? What supportive behaviors do we need to exhibit as parents to lead them into a life free of detrimental addiction? I am a founding Executive Board Member with Mothers Against Addiction to make a difference for children and parents in addressing the U.S. addiction epidemic.
Join us
Let's become a family
Whether dealing with addiction, loss, or just wanting to help. We would love to bring MAA into your heart. Contact us to find out more.
Insights
Latest Articles From Us
