Guardians of Recovery Leadership and Team Overview

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Tina Olivero is a Newfoundland and Labrador entrepreneur, advocate, publisher and coach, and the Founder of Guardians of Recovery Corporation, a national non-profit dedicated to transforming how Canada understands and responds to addiction, mental health and recovery. After losing her son, Ben, to a fentanyl overdose, Tina committed to changing the system that allowed it to happen — a mission she calls The Recovery Revolution. Under her leadership, Guardians of Recovery now operates two sober homes in St. John's, with more in development, and is advancing a broader recovery-first continuum of care that includes a planned Brain Diagnostics Unit and Sober Shelters bridging homelessness and long-term treatment. With more than three decades of experience in leadership, coaching and communications, Tina is also publisher of The OGM Sustainable Energy Magazine and REKOVRY Magazine, host of the Guardians of Recovery Podcast, and owner of Digital Collateral Professional Communications Agency. Above all, she is a mother building the pathway she believes every family struggling with addiction deserves.

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Professional Role: Executive Director of the Oxford House Foundation of Canada ABOUT EARL Earl Thiessen is a passionate advocate and leader in the sectors of addiction recovery and mental wellness, bringing over 15 years of experience as a board member of Guardians of Recovery. As the Executive Director of the Oxford House Foundation of Canada, Earl oversees the operation of 27 sober homes across Alberta, providing essential support for individuals on their journey toward addiction recovery through innovative and inclusive housing models. His career is marked by groundbreaking contributions to these fields, including the development of Pre-Treatment Housing, Entry-Level Housing, and the Peer-Supported Indigenous Recovery Housing Model. Earl's personal journey from homelessness to becoming a key leader in the recovery movement fuels his unwavering commitment to empowering those affected by addiction and homelessness. His influence extends beyond Oxford House and the non-profit organization sector, as he serves on several prestigious committees and task forces, including the Calgary Mental Health and Addiction Leadership Group, the Province's Coordinated Community Response to Homelessness Task Force, the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and the Public Security Indigenous Advisory Committee. In recognition of his outstanding work, Earl has received several distinguished awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, presented by the Premier of Alberta, and the Recovery Systems Leader Award from the Government of Alberta. These honors highlight his exceptional contributions to the mental health and addiction sectors and his transformative leadership. At Guardians of Recovery, Earl's expertise and passion are invaluable as we continue to advance our mission as a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a recovery revolution, building hope and support for individuals and families navigating addiction and mental wellness challenges.

Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada Professional Role: -Senior Partner - Rogue Management - Regular Contributor with Trending Politics and AM 640 - Keynote Speaker - Consultant - Communications Strategist Education: Bachelor of Science Trent University Biotechnician Diploma Loyalist College Self Reg Facilitator Mehrit Center Mental Health First Aid CMHA Current Position: Board of Directors, Guardians of Recovery Foundation ABOUT MICHELLE Michelle Ferreri is a former Member of Parliament, media veteran, and a nationally recognized advocate for mental wellness and addiction recovery. As the Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development, she worked tirelessly to improve access to mental health care and addiction recovery services, focusing on recovery-oriented solutions and support for families impacted by substance use. Known for her ability to cut through political rhetoric, Michelle has consistently advocated for accountability and compassionate, treatment-based approaches to addressing addiction challenges facing Canadians. Her efforts have amplified the voices of families, frontline workers, and those who have been let down by inadequate systems. With decades of experience in communications leadership, public advocacy, and policy, Michelle now serves as a Director on the Board of the non-profit organization Guardians of Recovery, which is dedicated to tackling the addiction crisis through effective treatment, healing, and renewed hope.

Location: Newfoundland, CanadaProfessional Role: Director of Finance and Accounting, Western Group of Companies, Corner Brook, Newfoundland, CanadaEducation: Bachelor of Business Administration, Memorial University of NewfoundlandABOUT JULIEJulie Gould serves as comptroller for the Guardians of Recovery Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to addiction recovery and mental wellness. Based in Pasadena, Newfoundland, Julie draws on her solid background in financial management to ensure the organization's fiscal health and sustainability. Her contributions are crucial in fulfilling the mission of providing systemic solutions for mental wellness and supporting addiction recovery. With a Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Julie’s expertise in accounting and financial oversight aligns perfectly with her commitment to the Guardians of Recovery. Her strategic financial planning, careful resource management, and strong attention to detail empower the non-profit organization to enhance its effectiveness in aiding those in need. Julie’s dedication to integrity and transparency in financial practices makes her an invaluable asset to the Guardians of Recovery team.

Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada ABOUT JADA Jada Costello brings a wealth of lived experience and dedication to her role as a Director with Guardians of Recovery, a non-profit organization focused on addiction recovery. Raised in a supportive family and excelling in academics and extracurricular activities, Jada appeared to be on a clear path to success. However, traumatic experiences from childhood into adulthood led her to confront significant challenges, including severe alcoholism and an eating disorder. After years of struggle, Jada began her addiction recovery journey in 2018, achieving sobriety on January 25, 2019. Her transformation has been profound; she now dedicates her life to promoting mental wellness and helping others find their path to recovery. Jada’s contributions encompass chairing recovery meetings, mentoring individuals, facilitating workshops, and volunteering her time to support those in need, all while advocating for mental health. Her professional background in long-term care and recovery has given her unique insight into the parallels between caring for individuals with dementia and those battling active addiction. As a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction recovery, Jada is committed to driving meaningful policy reform and fostering positive change. Her purpose is clear: to support others in achieving sobriety and to build stronger, healthier communities through her work with Guardians of Recovery.

Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada ABOUT MIKE Michael Perry is a dedicated community leader and social-impact entrepreneur based in Newfoundland, focused on mental wellness and addiction recovery. Drawing from his own lived experiences, Michael has spent years supporting individuals as they navigate their journey to recovery. He creates pathways that are rooted in dignity, purpose, and creative expression. His work through a non-profit organization showcases the vital connection between addiction recovery, the arts, and employment, empowering people to reclaim their voices and rebuild their lives through meaningful work and community connection. Michael is widely recognized for his compassionate leadership style, which emphasizes accountability, inclusion, and long-term personal growth. Committed to second chances and community-driven solutions, he continues to champion initiatives aimed at reducing stigma, fostering resilience, and strengthening communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Location: Toronto, Ontario ABOUT JORDAN Jordan Anderson champions a vision of addiction recovery that goes far beyond mere abstinence. He believes that true recovery is a transformative journey—rooted in restoring dignity, healing from trauma, rebuilding relationships, developing life skills, and rediscovering one's purpose for mental wellness. Jordan credits the heart of Alpha House, a non-profit organization dedicated to this mission, to its devoted team of professionals and peers with lived experience who lead with compassion, integrity, and hope. Together, they create a trauma-informed, person-centered environment where every individual is treated with empathy, respect, and encouragement. Under Jordan’s leadership, Alpha House cultivates a safe and structured community where people feel seen, heard, and valued. The team walks alongside each person in their addiction recovery process, holding onto hope for them until they are ready to embrace it themselves—cultivating a culture grounded in resilience, accountability, and transformation.