Our Team

Trey Laird is CEO and Founder of The Lighthouse Sober Living and The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program. Before founding The Lighthouse, Mr. Laird was a Wall Street equities trader for 22 years, starting this career with Bankers Trust and exiting with Lazard. Mr. Laird attended the Trinity School in Manhattan and Dartmouth College.

Mr. Laird has five children and lives in New Canaan, Connecticut with his wife. He is an avid golfer and marathoner, regularly travels to share his expertise on recovery and treatment best practices, and makes regular media appearances to speak on addiction issues.

Mr. Laird feels that his choice to Recover Out Loud has had an extraordinary impact on his life in recovery.

Cini Shaw, MA, AADC, CASAC, NCPRSS, is Chief Recovery Officer of The Lighthouse Recovery Services. Cini is an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor as well an Interventionist. She is also a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and a Recovery Coach Trainer. At the Lighthouse, she supervises a network of recovery coaches and residential directors and provides family support and family coaching services. She has had extensive training through CCAR on all aspects of recovery coaching and through CMC on their Invitation to Change model for families. Additionally, she is trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Self-Compassion and Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT). 

Cini’s positive influence and support pervades every aspect of client care. On a daily basis, she meets individually and in groups to assist those with substance use disorders, helping to foster acceptance, empowerment and self-compassion. Multiple nights each week, Cini facilities group sessions on a range of topics, including DBT, Mindfulness Self-Compassion and MBSR. Cini also leads a weekly education and support group for the families of clients, which has proven to be tremendously helpful to both family members and the clients they are there to support.

Cini completed her graduate studies at Columbia University with a Master of Arts degree in Special Education after receiving her BA in Psychology from Colgate University. She began her career in special education, working with the developmentally disabled, and today continues to advocate for the rights of those who do not have a voice and have been marginalized by our society.

In addition to her work at The Lighthouse, Cini is committed to raising awareness about substance use disorders, reducing stigma and bringing pathways of recovery to our communities. She is affiliated with multiple highly-regarded organizations working to support mental health and substance use disorders—she is a member of the ADPC Recovery and Health Management Subcommittee as well as the DMHAS CT Peer Certification Advisory Council. She is also an Executive Board member of Liberation Programs, which is one of Fairfield County’s leading behavioral health organizations specializing in treatment for all types of substance use disorders.

Through her experience of raising five children in Fairfield County, Cini has a deep understanding of the unique challenges, as well as the benefits, associated with raising a family in this area. She understands the social pressures, alienation and competitiveness pervading many of our communities and recognizes that these pressures can be overwhelming and can then lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and unsafe coping skills, making Cini an invaluable source of support and guidance for women with substance use disorders. 

Cini was recently named 2022’s Addiction Professional of the Year by preeminent addiction treatment provider Caron Treatment Centers. The Caron New York Community Service Awards recognize individuals, organizations and institutions that have made an outstanding contribution in the ongoing battle against alcohol and drug addiction. 

Heidi is the Chief Financial Officer for The Lighthouse. She joined The Lighthouse in May 2018 as Director of Business Strategy. She previously worked in private equity with The Chase Manhattan Bank and later Seaport Capital in New York.

Heidi attended Dartmouth College and Columbia Business School. She is on the Board of Directors of Liberation Programs and the Darien YMCA, and is a member of the Dartmouth Alumni Council. She has raised her four children in Darien, Connecticut.

Deborah Atkins, MTF, is Clinical Family Recovery Consultant for The Lighthouse Sober Living and the Recovery 365 coaching programs. A marriage and family therapist in Fairfield County for more than 17 years, Deborah recognizes addiction and dysfunction as part of a larger—and often desperate—call for change. She identifies negative thoughts, long-held beliefs and unhealthy patterns of relating within the context of a clients’ work, marriage and family. 

As consultant to The Lighthouse, Deborah shares her expertise in family system dynamics to help coaches and staff develop individualized support for residents and their families. By challenging ineffective and destructive habits and behaviors, she helps our team to uncover latent strengths and develop new strategies that can hold the key to lasting sobriety and transformation. 

Deborah received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Fairfield University and has worked in both agency and private settings with individuals, couples and families. She has also worked in the local judicial system with court-mandated clients addressing chronic substance abuse and anger management disorders. 

Deborah advises allied professionals on the subtle nuances of systemic organization, helping corporate teams and educators as an adjunct facilitator and mediator. Her warmth, compassion, intuition, optimism and commitment to collaboration provide our residents and their families guided strategies for long-term recovery and deeper, more meaningful family relationships. Her systemic approach also brings to light valuable insights into resident and staff relationships to ensure The Lighthouse family provides the most nurturing, healthy and productive environment for our clients’ recovery and wellness journeys.

Trish has been with The Lighthouse since the women’s residence opened in 2020. She began as a residential manager and is currently a CCAR-trained recovery coach as well as the women’s residential program Director. Originally from Texas, Trish moved to Connecticut in 2018 and has been an active member of the Fairfield County recovery community for the last several years.

Trish received her BA from Whittier College. She taught elementary school and led a successful catering company prior to joining The Lighthouse.

Trish's own recovery journey, connection to the community and personal experience in residential living have helped her become an insightful and compassionate resource for clients.

She believes there are many pathways to achieving long-term recovery and that bringing love, laughter and hope can make everything possible.

John joined The Lighthouse team in 2020 as a Residential Manager and is currently the Men’s Program Director. He is also Director of Client Care and oversees the sober companion and transport businesses. Prior to The Lighthouse, John worked at Fresh Start, a rehabilitation and residential facility in Westport, Connecticut. He is also a licensed EMT.

John spent more than 20 years in finance as an equity sales trader before switching course to work with people in recovery. Having found and embraced his own recovery through the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, John is deeply rooted in the Fairfield County recovery community. He currently resides in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Kristi joined the Lighthouse in 2021. She grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut and studied Art History and Marketing at Fairfield University. Previously, Kristi worked for Home Depot as a Décor Specialist and at State Farm as a licensed insurance producer.

Kristi is currently working towards her CCAR Recovery Coach designation and is an active member of the Fairfield County recovery community. She prides herself on sharing her personal recovery journey and working with non-custodial parents whose relationships have been affected by substance use disorders. 

Kristi has four wonderful children and is an avid NFL and Formula One Racing fan. She enjoys volunteering at Stamford Hospital and spending time with her family.

Akisha joined The Lighthouse in April 2020. Akisha was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. She earned her Associate of Science degree in Human Services at Norwalk Community College in 2012 and continued to Sacred Heart University to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Akisha has more than two decades of experience working with families in transitional living facilities in Fairfield County, where she has worked closely with residents in recovery.

For many years, Akisha’s passion has been to help improve the quality of life for the community’s most vulnerable populations. In addition to The Lighthouse, Akisha is a Child Development Specialist and a credentialed provider of supervised visitation for the State of Connecticut Department of Children & Families. For 15 years, she served as president of the non-profit organization she founded, which advocates for single-parent families living below the federal poverty line. The organization also provides individual and group mentoring for youth in the Greater Norwalk area. She has also been instrumental in assisting various organizations obtain tax-exempt status.

Akisha is a member of the Board of Education for Bridgeport Public schools, and she volunteered in Norwalk Public schools for many years before she was voted President of the Norwalk PTO Council.

Akisha loves to spend time with her family and is a firm believer in the practice of self-care. On occasion, she enjoys hosting parties and regularly produces stand-up comedy.

One of Akisha’s favorite quotes is by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which reads: “Take the first step in FAITH. You don’t have to see the WHOLE staircase. Just take the first step.”

In February 2017, Dave Cator became the Lighthouse’s first client in the Recovery 365 program—the day he walked into The Lighthouse is also Dave's sobriety date. Upon retiring from a long career as a Senior Executive in the publishing industry, Dave made the decision to become a professional recovery coach and join the Lighthouse team.

The most important skill that Dave learned during his career is the art of listening and how to utilize it in resolving conflict, conducting negotiations and in building relationships. This asset is also the primary tool Dave uses for helping people navigate their recovery journeys as they build their own individualized paths. Everyone’s personality, challenges and goals are different. Consequently, so too is the need for their recovery plans to be unique.

Dave, his wife, and three daughters reside in Darien, Connecticut. He loves family time, vacations, time with friends, playing golf and his dogs. Making time for exercise is critical to his own program and he is always up for the next challenge.

Michèle was born and raised in New York City and joined the Lighthouse and Recovery 365 in 2019. She is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) with 37 years of recovery from alcohol and drugs.

Growing up in Manhattan, she loved sports and was on scholarship with The American Ballet Theatre. She attended Performing Arts High School and later Hunter College. She worked with a non-profit writer’s group for several years before entering the real estate world as a broker.

After 20 years in real estate and feeling a little burned out, she searched her soul for what would truly fulfill her. She didn’t have to look very far. For more than 37 years, she has remained active in recovery and has never lost her passion for it. She decided to expand her ability to help others by becoming a Recovery Coach. Michèle uses her life experiences, empathy and insight to help clients integrate into their new lives. While Michèle is well-versed in 12 step recovery, she can help clients navigate other paths available in order to help them achieve their goals. 

Michèle resides in Manhattan. She loves animals, the beauty of nature, going to the gym and taking long walks in Central Park.

Jack joined the team as a manager at the men’s residence in March 2016, making him the first-ever Lighthouse employee. Since then, he has held various roles at The Lighthouse, including residential manager, recovery coach and business development associate. Jack is a certified Recovery Coach Professional (RCP), and is in the process of becoming a certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. 

Jack is involved in numerous recovery-focused organizations in the area. He serves on the Board of the Connecticut Alliance of Recovery Residences (CTARR) and the New Canaan Recovery Corps (NCRC), which he co-founded. He is also a member of the Stamford Reentry Roundtable. 

Before joining The Lighthouse, Jack practiced law for 25 years. He is a graduate of Boston College and Fordham Law School. 

Jack enjoys working with residents and believes that life-changing transformations can occur at The Lighthouse for anyone willing to put in the work. 

Elisabeth hails from New Canaan, Connecticut and completed her BA at Lehigh University. She worked in advertising in NYC for several years prior to beginning her recovery journey in Southern California in 2015.

After taking vital time to work on herself, Elisabeth decided to refocus her passion, time and knowledge to help those suffering from substance use disorders and trauma. She became deeply entrenched in the SoCal recovery community, managing a women’s sober house in Brentwood, California and opening her own sober home in Malibu. Elisabeth joined The Lighthouse and Recovery 365 in 2019.

Elisabeth loves to travel and is an avid outdoors woman. In sobriety, she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, skydived in Camarillo, California and bungee jumped in Soweto, South Africa.

She is excited to bring to the Lighthouse her passion for recovery and for helping others to recognize and achieve their goals.

David joined The Lighthouse in 2018. In the summer of 2019, he achieved designation as a Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) from the Center for Addiction Recovery. 

David has been in recovery for more than 15 years. He is an active member of local and regional recovery communities, of which he maintains numerous recovery relationships in Fairfield county. David draws upon his empathy and curiosity in guiding his own recovery and in coaching clients forging their paths.

David is a lifetime member of the PGA. Before working with The Lighthouse, he coached golf for 25 years. As a PGA Golf Professional, David relied upon his knowledge, compassion and problem-solving skills to help shape outstanding golfers. In recovery coaching, David has sharpened these skills to help guide men in early recovery. He relies upon active listening as well as his personal experiences to help others find their paths in recovery in a way that works best for each individual—not everyone makes the same golf swing to achieve their best results. The same applies to recovery.

Debra joined The Lighthouse in 2020 as Program Director of the women’s residence and is currently a Recovery Coach. Prior to The Lighthouse, she was director for another sober living residence in Fairfield County. Debra comes with 25+ years of experience in leadership and marketing roles in the advertising and public relations industries.

Debra decided to apply the same drive and determination she brought to the corporate world to her passion for supporting and helping to empower those finding recovery in all aspects of their lives. Debra is grateful for her own personal recovery journey and strongly believes that we don’t have to do it alone. Building or rebuilding a strong sense of purpose, community and self-worth are at the foundation of living a more present, enriched and fulfilling life. 

Debra grew up in Rumson, New Jersey, resided in Manhattan for many years and now lives in Connecticut. She received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at the University of Hartford. Debra is passionate about all things nature and animals, mentoring young adults, diversity initiatives, interior design, card games and is learning to knit a mean scarf.

Fabrice began working at The Lighthouse men’s residence in September 2017. Prior to joining the team, he was the head chef and owner of Voila! Bistro in Fairfield, Connecticut for more than 14 years. He also served as head chef at the award-winning White Horse Country Pub & Restaurant in Marbledale, Connecticut.

Fabrice is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute.

Ford is a longtime teacher, coach and mentor. As an athletic coach for more than thirty years, he proved himself to be adept at building rapport and positively impacting the life goals of individuals of all backgrounds.

Ford received a master’s degree in Education from Fairfield University. As a person in recovery himself, Ford has been in the field since 2018 and has dedicated his life to helping others in recovery. He has worked for various recovery-focused organizations, including Liberation Programs and Turnbridge.

Ford has two children and currently resides in Darien, Connecticut.

Jeffrey Guance is a Social Worker and a Recovery Coach. He received Summa Cum Laude honors for his associate degree in Liberal Arts from Norwalk Community College, followed by his Bachelor of Social Work from Fordham University, where he also earned a Master of Social Work degree and LMSW. Next, Jeffrey hopes to attain his LCSW and work toward a PHD in Social Work with a dissertation on substance use disorders and treatment.

Jeffrey has been with The Lighthouse since 2018 and currently hosts the well-known and well-attended men’s Wednesday night dinner meeting. Additionally, he is practicing at Project Courage, where he is an individual therapist, IOP facilitator, school-based substance abuse counselor and Sober Coach.

Jeffrey loves playing basketball and spending time with friends and family. Hs favorite pastime is engaging in philosophical discourse.

Jamie is a residential manager as well as The Lighthouse’s event coordinator. She works concurrently in Corporate Communications at IBM, where she has held various roles in external relations since 2014.

Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Skidmore College. She received her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences from The University of Connecticut, where she focused on psychological principles in mass and interpersonal communication. During graduate school, Jamie was an academic advisor to incoming students each summer and to undergraduates during the school year before she began teaching introductory courses in communication at UConn. 

In her free time, Jamie volunteers with Future 5, which is an organization focused on helping students reach their full potential via connections to resources, communities, people and themselves.

Jamie loves spending time with her family and friends and is currently working toward her goal of becoming the world’s best aunt. 

She believes in the power of listening and being heard, the magic that lies in human connection and community and the healing that occurs in a shared laugh.

Jamie considers the opportunity to offer support to people at any point in their recovery journey a gift.

Brian works as a Treatment Advocate and a Certified Recovery Coach and Peer Advocate in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Brian consistently volunteers at some of the most impactful charity organizations in the Northeast, including CCAR, The Herren Project, Vassar Hospital and Duchess. In recovery himself, Brian is motivated to give back the gift which was so freely given to him, and he does this by supporting others battling substance use disorders. He is willing to work with any individual who needs a compassionate, nonjudgmental ear and treats his peers suffering from SUDs with respect, dignity and grace. 

Brian has four kids—three sons and a daughter—whom he loves to spend time with.

David McKenna joined The Lighthouse in May 2021. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1980 and has worked in the insurance business for more than 40 years. 

David raised his three children in New Canaan, Connecticut, where he currently resides with his wife, Juliana. 

David is passionate about recovery and has volunteered for many years at a Bridgeport facility, serving the underserved. David became a certified Recovery Coach in 2014, and has found great joy and fulfillment in helping others in this way. 

In his free time, David loves spending time with his children and three grandchildren, music and all things cars.

Kelly joined the Lighthouse as a residential manager in November 2020 and currently works as a Recovery Coach. 

Kelly passed the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam in December 2014. She received her Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) designation from the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) in October 2020 and is a strong believer in their coaching model. 

Kelly holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University’s School of Social Service and is licensed in Connecticut and New York. She studied at the Psychodrama and Creative Arts Therapy Center in Manhattan and became a certified practitioner in 2021, using psychodrama on both individual and group levels with women in recovery. Additionally, Kelly is a provisionally certified practitioner of sociometry and group psychotherapy.

A mother of two from Greenwich, Connecticut, Kelly enjoys the beach, photography and seeing other people recover. Kelly believes that connection to a recovery community can stop the cycle of substance abuse and mental health disorders by healing the pain of isolation.

As a lyricist and lead singer, Pat has an understanding of the pressures and stresses inherent in both the creative process and performing, and he draws on his personal experiences to help people cope in a healthy way. He also spent many years in the bar and restaurant industry, where he gained significant insight into the stresses people face in their daily lives, allowing him to understand and empathize with their struggles. 

As a CCAR-trained Recovery Coach, Pat’s passion is to help people bridge the gap between treatment and long-term recovery. With the understanding that it’s a lifetime journey, Pat is committed to helping people set and achieve goals that will strengthen their recovery.

Violeta, or Vee as she is known to her friends, served as a licensed pharmacy technician for more than a decade, which created a natural transition into behavioral health care and her roles of crisis specialist and certified recovery support specialist. 

Vee has served as Recovery Residence Manager and considers working directly with clients in early recovery to be the most rewarding aspect of the job. She is frequently found helping others and sharing a good laugh. 

Vee is a native New Yorker and moved to Fairfield County as a child. She attended the University of Tennessee – College of Medicine. Vee loves the Yankees, cooking and her dog, Sammie.

Howie joined the Lighthouse staff in 2022. He holds a BA Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University and an MS in Addiction Studies from Western Connecticut State University. After working as an Editor at Readers Digest General Books, he became a high-end home builder in Westchester, Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. 

Thirty plus years later, Howie strives to help people build their own recoveries and lives. His own journey in recovery began in 1988 at the age of twenty-five and is filled with a wide breadth of experience. 

Howie has a wife of 32 years, three daughters and one granddaughter. His passion is to help people find their recoveries and witness a new life emerge from the ruin that addiction brings.

Ross joined The Lighthouse in 2016 and served as the men’s residential program Director for several years. Before joining The Lighthouse, Ross worked for a Christian nonprofit recovery center in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Ross has found his recovery through 12-step programs, meditation, community and prayer. Having been a self-proclaimed atheist, Ross is empathetic to guys in early recovery struggling with spiritual components of 12-step programs.

Firmly believing that recovery is more than simply abstaining from substances, Ross practices improvement in all aspects of his life. Ross loves to exercise, maintains a dedicated diet plan and works on himself in personal relationships. He lives a consistent and dependable lifestyle, which is recognized by Lighthouse clients and the recovery community. Ross’s guidance is well-received, based on his relentless self-improvement and commitment to leading by example. 

KT joined the Lighthouse team in June 2021. Born and raised in Greenwich, KT currently resides in Fairfield. For many years, KT worked in retail and several years ago made the transition to the medical field. She now works with top orthopedics and neurosurgeons at Orthopedic Neurosurgery Specialists in Fairfield County, where she recently won the organization’s “You Make a Difference” award—and she truly does.

KT exudes gratitude for her sobriety, crediting recovery for allowing her to live a spiritual and authentic life full of love, laughter and connection.  

KT is grateful to have begun her recovery journey in October 2013 and believes that everyone deserves a second chance. She is passionate about helping others find their paths and truly believes that all things are possible.

KT spends free time creating adventures with her twin daughters, Logan and Sage, whom are the loves of her life.

Stephanie joined the Lighthouse team as a Recovery Coach in February 2020. She holds an MS in counseling from Long Island University and a BA in psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY. She currently owns and operates a private fitness studio in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Stephanie began her personal recovery journey more than five years ago. She became a Recovery Coach in 2019 with the intention of helping others who have suffered in the same way she has. As a personal trainer and fitness coach, the recovery coaching model was a perfect fit for her. Stephanie uses her expertise, her passion for health and wellness and her lived experience in recovery to support and guide others on their wellness journeys.

Ben joined The Lighthouse December 2022. He grew up in Morristown, New Jersey and attended the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After working in financial sales and business development for 15 years, Ben decided to change course and devote his life to what saved his own in 2021—recovery. Because of his recovery, Ben was able to get married and recently bought a house with his wife in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Ben understands how it feels to be lost and in need of help—and is dedicated to sharing his lived experience with those struggling the same way he did. Ben is extremely involved in the

Connecticut recovery community and acts as an unofficial ambassador for Move to Heal, which promotes mental health and addiction recovery through exercise.

Physical activity is foundational to Ben’s personal recovery and self-care, and he loves working out, playing golf and playing paddle tennis. He spends down time relaxing with his wife and their two dogs, Beukeboom and Wally. 

During his career in finance, Ben acted on his passion for helping others by participating in the Big Brother Big Sisters of America program, as well as privately mentoring adolescents struggling with everyday life.