Meet the Team

A unique strength of our organization is AU’s designation as a peer run organization. This means that we integrate personal, direct lived expertise, coupled with education and training, to provide holistic, peer led recovery resources.

Business Administration

Executive Director
Michaela Fissel

Business Manager
Carl Mancini

Finance Director
Greg Defrank

HR Administrator
Bill Gottlin

Communication & Marketing Specialist
Alister King

Administrative Assistant
Meagan Sweeney

Peer Recovery Services

Director
Kate Brown

Continuing Education

Program Specialist
Jennifer Henry

RSS Administrator
Emma James Burke

Community Education Coordinator
Charles Brown

Community Support Coordinator

Coordinator
Peter Oliveras

Community Bridger

Bridger Administrator
Scott Forrest

Bridger
Luc Emmanuel

Bridger
Sarah Owens

Join Rise Be

Program Manager
Aaron Jackson

Warmline Operator
Sebastian Arbelaez

Warmline Operator
Richard Guarino

Warmline Operator
Savannah Hemstock

Warmline Operator
Rebekah Meyers

Warmline Operator
Rubi Torres

Warmline Operator
Kristen Repoli

Toivo

Director
Melissa Lombardo

Studio Assistant
Baylei Manning

Healing From Within Coordinator
Miriam Darveau

Wellness Facilitator
Heidi Viener

If you would like to file a complaint or grievance, please contact our Client’s Rights Officer at email businessmanager@advocacyunlimited.org or by phone at (860) 549-2435.

Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

2075 Silas Deane Highway
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

As a peer run organization, our staff uses their direct lived experience navigating mental health, addiction, and trauma to promote individual growth, human rights, and systems transformation. We believe that everyone has the inner capacity to heal, grow, and change. Our team envisions a world in which everyone – regardless of socio-economic status or psychiatric/addiction histories – has space to be seen, heard, and valued.

A Peer Led Recovery Organization