Lora is an experienced leader in a wide variety of positions such as those related to education, community, professional development and leadership development. She sends her off time volunteering as a board member of Rise Inspire Academy, and as a CASA advocate for children in the foster care system. Lora is married to Michael Lane, M.D.; together they have five children all in college.

Melissa Scott is a Youth Prevention Director for the San Antonio Council on Alcohol & Drug Awareness (SACADA). She has been in the field of substance abuse prevention since 2001 and been with SACADA since 2013. At SACADA, Melissa oversees Youth Prevention programs targeting Elementary through High School aged students. She is an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist (ACPS).

Hamilton serves as the CEO of Pay It Forward, Clean & Sober Living and is himself is a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder. He works tirelessly to advocate for those suffering from homelessness due to substance use disorder and strives to positively impact the lives of those we serve, their families, and the community at large for generations to come. When not at work, he loves traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife and five children.

Daphne Previti Austin serves as the Attorney for the Rise Inspire Academy’s Advisory Board. She is a long-time board certified juvenile justice advocate with experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney and juvenile district court judge. She is happy Bexar County has opened its first recovery high school.

Jessie is a parent of a teen in long-term recovery and has been attending the Family Group APG meetings at Rise Recovery since February of 2019.  She has served on the Rise Recovery Family Group Steering Committee since October 2019, and has participated in the Recovery High School task force since the fall of 2019.  Jessie currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Rise Inspire Academy Advisory Council.

Dr. Gonzales has worked in the field of Education for 22 years.  Currently, he serves the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) since 2014. He is the Director of Instructional Outreach Programs (College of Education and Human Development) where he has been credited with developing multiple academic partnerships focused on increasing college access, readiness, and enrollment.

Scott Peters is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Health and Kinesiology. He teaches courses in Substance Use and Process Addictions, Abnormal Human Behavior, and Internship. He has both written and is currently conducting research in the area of substance use and misuse. Scott is a native of Chicago and now lives in San Antonio with his wife, Jo in Mahncke Park.

Tanya Jopling is an advocate for adolescent substance use recovery and services in our community.  She has been employed at Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department for 24 years.  It is through her work with the Adolescent Recovery Oriented System of Care and collaboration with the community that this initiative was initiated.