Organizational Background
Founded in 2011, by Anika Cooper, Simply Grace addresses the complexities of substance use disorder and its effects on the community. The founder’s personal experience inspired the creation of recovery homes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Board Member
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.
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.
admissions coordinator/community connector
Certified Community Healthcare Worker