Board Members
Kathy Rivero-Robinson is the founder of Andy’s Glow Foundation and a mother of an angel who is also in long-term recovery. She holds a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling and is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, combining professional training with lived experience to support individuals and families impacted by grief and substance use disorder, mental health challenges. In 2012, she experienced the devastating loss of her only son to substance use disorder, which became the driving force behind her mission to help others. After years of grief, counseling, and healing, Kathy recognized a major gap in local support services and founded a grief support group in 2016, which has since grown into two groups. In 2021 the Andy’s Glow Foundation became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has continued to expand its services, including grief support, peer recovery support, outreach, and resource navigation. The organization also helps connect individuals with treatment services and provides basic needs support such as food and clothing, with a focus on ensuring no one feels alone in their journey.
William Robinson, I am the co-founder of Andy’s Glow Foundation alongside my wife. The foundation was created in loving memory of our son after experiencing the profound grief of loss. Through our journey, we have found renewed purpose in offering hope, compassion, and support to individuals and families facing grief, substance use disorder. With over 11 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field, I am committed to advocacy, healing, and community support.
Caitland (“Katie”) Carter is the Secretary and board member of the Andy’s Glow Foundation and has been involved with the organization for the past four years. As a person in long-term recovery, she is passionate about advocacy, recovery support, and helping others find hope. After losing her mother to a substance overdose, Katie turned her grief into purpose by raising awareness and supporting those impacted by substance use to helping others.
Dr. Samantha Skinner is a Doctor of Nursing Practice working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), where she provides care to underserved communities and advocates for accessible, compassionate healthcare. As a person in long-term recovery, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She joined Andy’s Glow Foundation in honor of her mother and brother, whom she lost to addiction and mental illness, and is committed to helping others feel supported and understood. Samantha believes in the power of recovery, the importance of hope, and the impact of sharing lived experience.
Deanna Espichan holds a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University and is actively involved with the Andy’s Glow Foundation, where she helps provide support, guidance, and resources to individuals and families in need. As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and a person in long-term recovery, Deanna brings both professional knowledge and lived experience to the work she does each day. Her passion for helping others and giving back to the community inspired her involvement with the foundation. Deanna is dedicated to walking alongside individuals during some of their most difficult moments, offering compassion, encouragement, and hope. She believes recovery is possible for everyone and strives to make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of those she serves.
Mike Ortiz holds a master’s degree in social work from Stockton University and has several years of experience working in the mental health and substance use fields as a counselor. As a person in long-term recovery, he brings both professional knowledge and lived experience to support others on their recovery journey with empathy and compassion. Through his work with Andy’s Glow Foundation, Mike is dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers, find hope, and build a better future.
Theresa Dempewolf is an experienced accountant with over 40 years of expertise working with nonprofit organizations. She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University and has dedicated her career to supporting mission-driven organizations with financial integrity and professionalism. She is married to Jim and is the proud mother of two daughters, Katie and Megan.