International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Today, and every day, we celebrate the incredible women who make IBH Addiction Recovery a vibrant and successful place to work.
Throughout the day, we will be highlighting a few of the many talented women who inspire us every day. Follow us on our social media channels to learn more about the incredible women who make a difference at IBH Addiction Recovery.
Jess Rist, Chief Operating Officer
Advocate. Ally. Community Servant.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I am passionate about making the world a better place. I believe it's important to leave people better than you found them and I make it my mission to do that every day.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: I'm most proud of my unwavering commitment and dedication to causes that are important to me and my community. I have been raising funds and awareness for the National MS Society since my mom was diagnosed in 2003 and have participated in Bike MS several times, completing 75 or 150-mile routes. I'm also pretty proud I summited Mt. Elbert!
Community service: I am currently the Board President of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem for the Summit County Juvenile Court, and Co-Chair of the Akron Public Schools NIHF-STEM Middle School Academy. I've previously volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run and served on the Akron Zoo's PAW Committee and in leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals board.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Don’t give up – you haven’t lived your best days yet.
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Reading, weightlifting, kayaking, and spending time with my family and pets.
Keysha McGlothlin, Residential Supervisor
Ambitious. Courageous. Empathetic.
Your role in your own words: My role at IBH is to help provide a structured and supportive environment to those who are struggling with the mental health and substance abuse.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I am passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients, helping them grow, making them feel supported, loved and worthy of this life changing opportunity and helping them achieve their goals in a structured and safe environment. I do the work that I do because seeing our clients thrive and flourish is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling feelings I have ever felt.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: I am most proud of the woman and mother I am today. My greatest accomplishment since being in recovery so far is my job here at IBH.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Celebrate small wins. Progress isn't always dramatic, but every positive step matters. Self care is non-negotiable, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Stay patient and flexible, not everything goes as planned and that's okay!
What do you like to do in your spare time?: In my spare time I enjoy listening to motivational speeches, Ted Talks, and reading self-help books. I also enjoy spending time with my family and my recovery family.
Kali Beane, Quality Compliance Coordinator
Passionate People-Person. HIPAA Guru. One-of-a-Kind.
Your role in your own words: I am the person that makes sure everything is flowing smoothly. I make sure everything on campus is up to our standards. I am the person that tries to make everyone's job easier and more efficient!
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I do the work I do because I am a huge people person and I love rooting for our clients and staff. I will do what I can to help someone because I want to see people succeed in everything they set their mind to.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: I am most proud of my job. I have found a wonderful place to work with the best coworkers I could ask for!
Honors you've received: Employee of the Month for June 2024!
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Don't get worked up over the little things. Breathe and take your time!
What advice would you give to young girls to empower them to create a life they're proud of?: Be nice and respectful to people. You never know who will be there to help you along the way. Also, don't put yourself on a pedestal. Be humble and gracious for what you have.
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Watch TV, play video games, sing and listen to music.
What is something else we should know about you?: I have 2 dogs and 6 cats that are my world!
Melanie Korman, Development and Marketing Director
Problem-Solver. Helper. Optimist.
Your role in your own words: I’m essentially a charitable investment counselor. My role is to help match our donors' and future donors' charitable interests and passions to the needs of IBH Addiction Recovery. I also write grants, work on the upcoming capital campaign, manage our marketing efforts, plan the annual golf outing, and sit on the history committee.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I'm passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in our community. I've known since a very young age that I care about people deeply and I've always enjoyed helping others. I'm honored and humbled to have this purpose in my life. My hope is to make a positive difference in our community, one person at a time.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: Getting the fitted sheet on the bed.
Honors you've received: I use to perform in community theater and won two Chanticleer awards from Weathervane Community Playhouse. One was for Lead Actress in a Play, and the other was for Best Supporting Actress in a Play.
Community service: I volunteer at Grace House and for Catholic Charities.
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Genealogy, see plays, decorate my house, connecting with friends and family, baking things that are gluten free but no one can tell, and dancing.
Laura Kidd, Outpatient Director
Advocate. Creative. Problem Solver. Persistent.
Your role in your own words: Supervise, manage the outpatient and admissions part of IBH.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I really have a passion for helping the "underdog". I think everyone deserves a fair shot no matter how many tries it takes. I think making our services and mental health and substance dependence services accessible to all as been important to me throughout my career. In a previous role, i was very passionate about aging and older adults-stereotyping and reducing stigma are important to me as well.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: Currently, I am most proud of being part of the change at IBH by helping to get our outpatient programs off the ground. I also love being part of the development of new counselors. Overall, getting my master's degree and counselor licenses-I couldn't do what I do without that!
Community service: I serve on the Board of Trustees at Tarry House. I also teach online addiction classes at the University of Akron. I love being part of learning and teaching students about addiction. I feel it's doing my part to reduce the stigma of addiction.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Don't avoid things because of fear.
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Paper crafting-card making and scrapbooking. I also love yarn and knit and crochet. Reading-I read romance type novels as an escape from the stress of what we do everyday. I also love spending time with my family-husband, two grown boys and 3 perfect grandchildren.
Ariel Richards, Residential Supervisor
Passionate. Empathetic. Recovery Advocate.
Your role in your own words: I am a Certified Peer Recovery Supporter, which is really just a fancy name for anyone in recovery's biggest fan and advocate. I get to give back what was so freely given to me on my sobriety journey and just really get to use my experience, strength and hope to help others with their healing journeys!
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I am passionate about giving people hope and making sure they can see how amazing they are. I enjoy building others up and giving them the confidence to be who they were meant to be.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: My greatest accomplishment was finally putting my walls down and allowing others to help me out of the muck and the mire that I was drowning in for a good portion of my life. I'm most proud of myself for continuing to stay sober for almost 2 and a half years now.
Honors you've received: I haven't received any honors but it's an honor to work with the employees and the clients of IBH!!
What advice would you give to your younger self?: I would tell my younger self to keep going even when the going feels impossible. One day, you're going to make a difference in so many lives!
What advice would you give to young girls to empower them to create a life they're proud of?: You are BEAUTIFUL! You are STRONG! You are capable of anything in this whole world! Keep pushing yourself towards greatness! It's where you belong!!
What do you like to do in your spare time?: I like to work at IBH and sing and play music. I enjoy raising my 2 boys and making memories with my family.
What is something else we should know about you?: I came from living in a tent, using drugs and losing my kids to children services to working my dream job and building up other's who are going through the same things I went through.
Marva Grant, Peer Recovery Supporter
Caring. Spirited. Giving of Myself and Time.
Your role in your own words: My role is to help ladies in recovery reach their full potential, to spread their wings and stand on their own two feet.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: I'm passionate about helping people in recovery, about seeing the change in their eyes from when they first walk in the door until they leave smiling and knowing their worth.
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: My greatest accomplishments are my recovery and my family.
Honors you've received: I was employee of the month and also, I was on a billboard for a few months.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Hold on baby, it gets better.
What advice would you give to young girls to empower them to create a life they're proud of?: I have been in your shoes, give yourself some grace. Look in the mirror and say "I deserve everything good in my life"
What do you like to do in your spare time?: I really don't feel like IA have a lot of spare time, but when I do, I like to spend with my family husband grandkids and my dog that I just got Keno.
What is something else we should know about you?: I struggled for a long time I have been through IBH as a client 7 times and multiple other places. I wouldn't change a thing because it made me the women I am today. PROUD!!
Jamie White, SUD Group Therapist
Recovery Advocate. Artist. Unique.
What are you passionate about? Why do you do the work you do?: Everyone deserves a life they WANT to live. For me, being creative with recovery makes it fun!
What are you most proud of? What's your greatest accomplishment?: I am most proud of my resilience and my art.
Honors you've received: Employee of the month, 3 x Artist of the ADM Race medal.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: "Hold on sister....it's gonna be a bumpy ride----Learn to enjoy it!"
What advice would you give to young girls to empower them to create a life they're proud of?: "Live so you can be proud of yourself late late at night, when its just you and God speaking."
What do you like to do in your spare time?: I love to create art, read and watch Sci-fi movies!
What is something else we should know about you?: My other half at work is my Frenchton "Luna"... she LOVES our clients!
Karen Griffin, Lead Peer Recovery Supporter
Caring. Dedicated. Problem Solver.
Your role in your own words: Lead Peer support. Lots of the residents compare me to the mom figure in the house.
What are you passionate about?: Why do you do the work you do? IBH and the staff is such a big part of who I am now. I want to do the same for others.
What are you most proud of?: What's your greatest accomplishment? Helping open Both male and female Recovery houses. Also, that I spoke at the Ohio recovery housing conference last year and I was so scared, but I did it anyway.
Honors you've received: I was employee of the month in September.
What advice would you give to your younger self?: Nothing I am who I am today because of my choices then.
What advice would you give to young girls to empower them to create a life they're proud of?: You are beautiful and strong, and you can do anything you put your mind to do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Gamble, vacation and spend time with my grandson.
What is something else we should know about you?: I was a client here at IBH in 2010 and again in 2012 I guess I wasn't ready yet in 2010. I am so proud that I have come this far in my life and with my position here.