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About Us

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JENNIFER DASILVA, RSPS

Jennifer DaSilva brings her passion for helping women recover from addiction and emotional trauma to Simply Grace. She personally works with many people who have a desire to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Jennifer has been in recovery since 2013 and she has over 25 years in business sales and operations. Jennifer is also a certified Recovery Support Peer Sspecialist in the state of Texas. 

Prior to her joining Simply Grace she has worked at all levels in corporate and nonprofit organizations. She brings her experience in training and coaching, mentoring, sales, marketing, small business funding as well as working with small businesses to improve online reputation management and accelerated expansion. She’s won several awards for her exemplary performance and dedication.

SIMPLY GRACE BOARD

AMBER WRYE
LPC, LCDC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - PRESIDENT
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ERIC
BUTTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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MARY
RELIHAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS -TREASURER
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MURRAY
COVENS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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DAVID
ELLIOTT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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JUDGE JENNIFER BENNETT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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WILL ALEXANDER
LPC-S

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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VIRGINIA WHITLOCK
PhD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SIMPLY GRACE STAFF

HEATHER NOLAN
LCSW-S, LCDC

CLINICAL DIRECTOR
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CALLIE SANDERS
LMSW

THERAPIST-CASE MANAGER
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PAYTON
KEY

PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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BREHN
HANSON

admissions coordinator/community connector
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CINDY
SMITH

THRIFT STORE MANAGER
BIO COMING SOON

SAMANTHA
RIVERA

THRIFT STORE STAFF
BIO COMING SOON

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AMBER WRYE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

With over 15 years of dedicated experience in the mental health treatment field, Amber stands as a compassionate and accomplished leader in the realm of healing and recovery. Holding dual licensures as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), as well as being an EMDR therapist, Amber embodies a comprehensive approach to mental health and addiction recovery.

She earned a master’s degree from the University of North Texas (UNT) and is currently on the path to completing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, further showcasing their unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

Throughout Amber’s career, she has have played pivotal roles in the creation and development of numerous programs. Her leadership has extended across multiple departments, including clinical, medical, and recovery advocacy, where she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to nurture teamwork and foster innovative strategies, systems processes and human capital.

However, what truly distinguishes Amber is her personal journey of overcoming addiction. With over 18 years of continuous sobriety, Amber intimately understands the challenges and the rewards of long-term recovery. This firsthand experience fuels her unwavering passion for helping those in the throes of addiction, guiding them toward a life of hope, resilience, and triumph.

As Simply Grace’s newest Board of Directors she will undoubtedly serve as an inspiring and invaluable member of the board, channeling her expertise, wisdom, and relentless dedication to enhance the lives of individuals seeking a path out of addiction.

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ERIC BUTTON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eric is currently the National Outreach & Family Liaison with Burning Tree programs assisting Families, Loved Ones, & Professionals on the path of FREEDOM. He was previously a family support/referral specialist at Vista Taos Renewal Center. He is also currently a membership committee member at the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers NAATP. Eric has been in recovery since July 21, 2005, and enjoys flying airplanes in his spare time. 

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MARY RELIHAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Her most recent role was Senior Vice President and Head of Fund Operations at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity Investments is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, and other financial products and services to institutions, financial intermediaries, and individuals.

During her time at Fidelity, Mary held numerous roles managing large operational teams in multiple locations. Her focus has been on creating top-performing teams with a focus on diversity and inclusion, resolving complex issues, and creating collaborative relationships. Prior to working at Fidelity, she was an executive director at JPMorgan. Additional roles held at JPMorgan included manager of a reconciliation team, as well as Vice President of Operational Risk Management.

Throughout her career, Mary engaged in various volunteer opportunities mentoring women to reach their full potential. She retired in 2022 and continues her interest to support the success of women.

Ms. Relihan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Lawrence University.

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MURRAY COVENS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – PRESIDENT

Murray Covens had a long background in financial and accounting corporate management before starting a fundraising company for nonprofit organizations 14 years ago.  He has been involved in the nonprofit community for more than 30 years as a board member, volunteer, and consultant.  Murray has served on the board of directors for many Dallas-area nonprofit organizations, and is a former partner with Social Venture Partners Dallas.  He holds a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston, and was formerly a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant.

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DAVID ELLIOTT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A south Texas native, David is an entrepreneur who primarily engages in real estate, agriculture, and oil and gas investments; however, he also has a strong passion for addiction recovery. David started in the recovery business in 1993, and in 1999 he founded Burning Tree Ranch. Burning Tree continues to effectively serve clients suffering from habitual relapses. David remains an active part of the recovery community by supporting several addiction-based organizations, and by launching Burning Tree Foundation, his own non-profit organization.

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Judge Jennifer Bennett

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Judge Jennifer Bennett was elected to be the presiding judge of the 265th Judicial District Court in November 2014.  Her court hears felony criminal cases. Before taking the bench Judge Bennett served as an assistant district attorney, first with Harris and then with Dallas Counties for fifteen years. She was a supervising prosecutor working to train other attorneys, she presented cases to grand juries, and she was the lead prosecutor in over 150 jury trials

In addition to presiding over her felony court docket, Judge Bennett runs the Dual Diagnosis Aftercare Court.  She receives probationers from all of the Dallas felony courts who have gone through the 6-month in-patient treatment at the John Creuzot Treatment Facility on the dual diagnosis side. Probationers with severe mental illness diagnoses, as well as drug addiction, report to Judge Bennett and her team for aftercare.  In 2018, Mental Health America of Greater Dallas honored Judge Bennett with their Special Recognition Award for the work she does with the mentally ill.

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WILL ALEXANDER, LPC-S, LCDC, CEAP, CSAT, SAP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Will Alexander has worked in the field of addictions, mental health and employee assistance since 1986. He holds the licensures of Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and Certified Employee Assistance
Professional (CEAP). He also is a Certified Sexual Addictions Therapist (CSAT) and EMDR trained trauma therapist. 

Mr. Alexander has worked for several inpatient and outpatient programs, has lead teams in various Employee Assistance positions, and currently works onsite at a Fortune
500 company’s leadership campus. He also has experience in marketing, sales, consulting and strategic management.

 
Mr. Alexander graduated from The University of North Texas (BAAS) and also did graduate studies in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program (UNT) specializing in creating high performance work teams in multiple settings. He also is a graduate of Amberton University
with an MA in Counseling. Currently Mr. Alexander is the President of the Lone Star (DFW) Chapter of Employee Assistance Professionals Association.


Mr. Alexander is in long term recovery from addiction and has a passion for helping individuals to enjoy lives free from the bondage of trauma and addiction.

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VIRGINIA WHITLOCK, PhD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Virginia L. Whitlock-Obstanzazona, Ph.D., the last of 14 children currently resides in Mansfield, Texas. Virginia serves as head of merger and acquisition for Intuit and a part-time Adjunct Professor at UNT’s School of Business.  In her free time, she enjoys reading and supporting women getting their lives back on track, spending time with her family and friends, working in the yard, writing, and rap karaoke. Virginia’s dream is to own a working farm outside of Dallas, she’s a servant leader focused on helping people, especially women. Virginia is a very strategic thinker and a massive believer in business, both profit and non-profit organizations, putting people in positions that make them shine. She loves to have conversations with people about what is next for them. Virginia’s leadership style encourages, inspires, and motivates employees to innovate.

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HEATHER NOLAN

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

LCSW-S, LCDC, CCP, CF-L2, EMDR Certified

I love people and am blessed to get to work in a job where I see the miracles of healing.  I was introduced to the 12-steps early in life and it has led me to a set of guiding principles that has given me opportunities to do many things and enjoy a life worth living.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Centenary College of Louisiana where I studied religious education and minored in art and sociology.  I pursued my master’s degree in social work at the University of Texas at Arlington.  I am a certified challenge course practitioner, licensed clinical social worker and supervisor, licensed chemical dependency counselor, EMDR certified, and a CrossFit level 2 trainer.

I am honored to know the women of Simply Grace and to get to remember the journey we are all on one day at a time.

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CALLIE SANDERS

Therapist-Case Manager

Callie Sanders, LMSW, earned her Master’s of Social Work at The University of Texas in Arlington, specializing in substance use and mental health disorders. She is excited to combine her commitment to recovery with professional social work skills at Simply Grace. She is motivated to assist women to reach their full potential and regain their sense of dignity and purpose, using both therapeutic models and 12-step recovery principles. Callie is committed to Simply Grace as a part-time therapist for the IOP program, and case manager for the sober-living residents. 

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Payton Key

Program Coordinator

Payton Key grew up Dallas, TX and drugs and alcohol became the center of her life at a very young age. She struggled to have any length of sobriety for many years. Today she has found a way out through a 12-step program and because of that is very passionate about helping other women live freely. She enjoys being active and exploring new places. She’s made long lasting friendships in the recovery community and looks forward to helping others.

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BREHN HANSON

admissions coordinator/community connector

Brehn’s journey is truly inspiring. From her early days in Plano, TX, where she was active but felt something was missing, to discovering alcohol as a way to fill that void, her path to recovery has been a testament to resilience and transformation. After facing significant challenges, including three DWIs, Brehn took a courageous step by entering treatment and embracing sobriety through sober living, IOP, and a 12-step fellowship.
 
Now, with a decade of recovery under her belt, Brehn is deeply involved in the recovery community, contributing at both the group and area levels. Her extensive experience in the recovery industry has provided her with invaluable insights and wisdom, which she’s eager to share at Simply Grace. Her commitment to helping other women find their path to recovery is truly commendable.
 
Outside of her professional life, Brehn enjoys a fulfilling personal life with her husband and their dog Marty. She treasures game nights with friends and family, which highlights her love for connection and joy in her sober life.