Staff - Serenity Recovery Connection

Meet the Team at SRC!

Trudy Strewler Hodges

Trudy is the former CEO of Pikes Peak Community Foundation and longtime Executive Director at CASA of the Pikes Peak Region. There she successfully created a long-term business vision that has led to lasting growth; increased stakeholder investments; and employee, as well as volunteer engagement. She has been highly successful at organizational leadership, aligning business goals, board strategies, and implementation. Her efforts have resulted in an excellent return on investment on the most critical element, our children’s futures. All in all, she has over three decades working in non-profit management in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.

Trudy’s personal and professional commitment to the mission of SRC has been demonstrated in her guidance as our strategic consultant and willingness to be a support to our board and SRC leadership over the last three years. SRC remains driven by the vision to strengthen the recovery community through peer and family support, public education, and advocacy.

Trudy Strewler Hodges

Chief Executive Officer

Cathy Plush

Founder and Chief Development Officer, Cathy Plush, understands firsthand the importance of community involvement in the recovery process. As a woman in long-term recovery she has made it her work to promote recovery by educating about substance use disorder and the hope of healing.

Her passion is to make SRC’s mission understood in the community one step at a time. She values interpersonal relationships and feels that it is important to make people feel valued, whether they are old friends or first time acquaintances, and this is especially important for interactions with those who may be in times of distress. She values loyalty, trustworthiness, and caring, and she is a firm believer that one person can be an agent of change.

cathy woman with short blonde hair in grey sweatshirt

Cathy Plush

Founder

Laura Indermuehle, CPFS

Laura Indermuehle is a Colorado Springs native and a passionate advocate for multiple roads to recovery. When Laura isn’t staring at a spreadsheet, she is a warrior in the fight against the stigma of addiction. Laura’s recovery roots took hold through the support of Oxford House, and she is now an Oxford Alumni. Laura received her peer coaching certification through the SRC Training Institute in September 2018 and began working as a volunteer at SRC. In February 2020, she became the Executive Assistant and Data Analyst at Springs Recovery Connection. She has since received her state certification as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist and has been working on becoming certified in Human Resources. Laura finds the non-profit environment an absolute pleasure to work in. “The compassion is palpable, and I love how genuine every person I work with is.” She is excited to see what her future holds.

Some of her hobbies include art and videogames, devouring both books and audiobooks, prepping for the zombie apocalypse, camping, and cooking. She finds solace in spending time in the mountains and feeding her Amazon addiction.

Laura Indermuehle, CPFS

Executive Assistant and Human Resources Manager

Angie Neeley, CAC II

Angie Neeley brings personal experience and professional training to her role as Family Advocate at S.R.C. She started her recovery journey in 1988 and relocated to Colorado Springs from Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1989. After working in Corporate America for 15 years, she remade her life, and in 2010 Angie received her Bachelor’s in Ministry Arts with Christian Counseling. Angie is also a Certified Addictions Counselor Level II through the State of Colorado and has worked in several substance use disorder treatment settings. Angie recently worked with the courts, teaching D.U.I. education and offering substance use disorder therapy. Angie is a C.R.A.F.T. certified facilitator (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) and supports families and friends in our groups and through the S.R.C. telephone recovery support system.
Angie loves the people, the energy, the spirit, and the collaboration that happens at S.R.C. She is grateful to be part of the team. She has been married to Kurt for 28 years and has two furry kids, Sassafras and Buddy.

Angie Neeley, CAC II

SRC Family Advocate, Peer Recovery Coach

Rebecca Cota, MA

Rebecca Cota is a person in long term recovery with 30 year’s experience mentoring and supporting women and families overcoming the challenges inherent to familial alcoholism that include codependency, relationship difficulties/addiction and financial stability challenges. Currently she serves as the Community Reinforcement and Family Therapy (CRAFT) facilitator at Springs Recovery Connection. She loves her work at Springs Recovery Connection because of the philosophy of acceptance around different approaches to recovery, focus on family recovery and the amazing workforce of recovery heroes. She loves having recovery in common with people she works with as well as those she serves.

In addition, she sees clients in her private practice for life coaching and individual and group psychotherapy. Previously, she has served in the local community, Pennsylvania and California as a career educator of 25 years.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia and a Masters in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University. Rebecca is currently NLT Psychotherapist in the state of Colorado where she lives with her family and their cat Kiwi.

Rebecca is bilingual and bicultural in Spanish and also speaks Portuguese. Rebecca loves exploring the Colorado wilderness, traveling in general, yoga, meditation and dancing.

Rebecca Cota, MA

C.R.A.F.T Facilitator, Contractor

Amy Husted

Amy has been working with SRC since 2019, providing contract grant writing services. She obtained her certificate in Grant Writing, Management, and Program Evaluation from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, in 2017.

Amy also brings an educational background in mental health with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology - Alliant International University, and a sense of compassion and understanding that substance abuse issues are not a reflection of character or matter of willpower.

She hopes to help those in recovery and those seeking recovery through her grant writing to support programs and services that offer life-changing opportunities.

Amy Husted

Contractor, Grant Writer

Dominique Knowles

Dominique Knowles is the Specialty Court & Jail Reintegration Coordinator at Springs Recovery Connection. Dominique’s compassion and understanding for those who are justice involved comes from her personal experience. As a believer in second and third chances, Dominique’s purpose in her work is to help individuals identify their self-worth and confidence through encouragement and building recovery capital and resources. “We are not bad people, we do not have to stay in the shame and guilt of our past,” Dominique shares, “We have the disease of addiction, and when provided the necessary tools for community connection and recovery, we can thrive in our own lives and find our purpose.”

Dominique is a State Certified Peer Recovery Coach, holds an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and successfully completed the 4^th Judicial Adult Criminal Drug Court Program in El Paso County. She is overwhelmed with gratitude to be an active mother to her children again and enjoys biking and spending quality time with her family.

Dominique girl with dark hair and sunglasses

Dominique Knowles CPFS

Programs Director

Chassity Lemuel, CPFS

Chassity is a Colorado native, having graduated from Coronado High School. She has well over 10 years of experience in the medical field. She was formerly a histotechnician at Penrose Hospital, until health problems forced her to quit the job she loved so much. These health problems, however, ended up changing her life for the better. Chassity has spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals because of her addiction and has suffered a great deal of shame. This addiction nearly cost her her life.
One of the most important things for Chassity is to build trust with her peers in those most vulnerable moments. “My dream has always been to save the world, but if I can just touch one person’s life in a positive way, that’s good enough for me.”
Chassity is a State Certified Recovery Coach. She has been working with Springs Recovery for over a year now. She has an overwhelming passion and grace for the people she works with and for. She brings personal experience to her role and has been in long-term recovery since 2016.
Fun fact: “Four years ago, I was given two weeks to live! Until that moment, I was okay with dying. After that, I took my life back, and I am here to help others with the hope that they are never okay with dying! My life is a miracle, and I love sharing my story.”
Chassity enjoys spending time with her two dogs and her amazing supportive husband, Mike.

Chassity Lemuel, CPFS

Healthcare Program Manager

Kiryn Lake

Kiryn was born in England but has lived in multiple places including multiple states and countries in Europe. Colorado was one of the states she found the most connection to and she moved back from Washington, D.C. in 2012. She has experience in the medical and mental health field, having worked for both as a biller and coder and even as a nursing assistant.

In 2019, she suffered a seizure and was hospitalized. Immediately after, she attended treatment, but never felt like she was fully able to address her addiction. Months later, in the summer of 2020, her boyfriend of three years proposed to her. "I never thought someone could love me unconditionally and support me like that. I thought, surely, he wouldn't want to marry someone like me, I'd be too much trouble. But when he kneeled on the ground, holding the ring that he personally made me, I felt like I was worth it. I felt like I could be a great wife, that we had a future and that I wanted children. I didn't do it for my now husband or my future children, I did it because I felt confident in myself and I wanted to be healthy and live a long life with a family I knew I could build. After that, I started doing things my way."

She practiced harm reduction techniques, MAT, and online groups while she sought out her answers. In the end of August or beginning of September of 2020, she was able to eliminate the harm caused by alcohol and was able to confidently say "no" to alcohol. She began living a full life without alcohol.

"I was tired of alcohol occupying such a major section of my thoughts, so I got outside and connected to the universe. I started going camping, hiking, climbing, paddle boarding, four wheeling, going to festivals and events and just immersing myself in the world around me. I started cooking fun foods at home, doing art work, writing fictional stories, playing with my fashion sense and my hair and just learning to be confident in myself. I now live a life free from my addiction. I am happily married and my husband and I have marvelous adventures. I am finally living the life I knew deep down in my heart that I deserved. Now I hope to help others in their recovery."

Kiryn believes firmly that there are many roads to recovery and supports traditional and non-traditional approaches to recovery. "Any path you take to better yourself is a valid path."

Kiryn Lake

Outplaced Peer Recovery Coach with Diversus

Frank Montesano

Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Frankie is a Certified Colorado Peer and Family Specialist.

Frankie is currently in school working towards his BA in Human Services with an emphasis on substance use and recovery.

I am in long-term recovery and enjoy mentoring others to help them create a new life where they do not need substances. I also enjoy helping other peer recovery coaches ignite their passion for supporting the recovery community and obtaining their professional goals.

In my free time, I do strength training. I go on backpacking/camping trips where I wander around in nature with my dog Reishi. I love to go to shows; my favorite venue is Red Rocks Amphitheatre. I also snowboard in the winter.

Frank Montesano

Outplaced Coach and Group Coordinator

Koda Sanders

Koda Sanders is a certified Peer Recovery Coach with the Justice team, at Springs Recovery Connection. She suffers from PTSD that was gained from deployments in the military. In 2018 when separated from the military, she fell into a life of addiction and crime, never thinking she would be someone that suffered from the disease of addiction. “It happened so fast, and I felt like I was going at warp speed with little to no control over it, down a deep dark rabbit hole. It consumed me and changed me into a shadow version of my former self.” In 2019 Koda got arrested for possession and by the end of 2020, OD’d in the bathroom of a trap house. The very next day she took herself to peak view detox, where she spent 7 days and has been clean and sober ever since.

Koda is originally from Pennsylvania then moved to Colorado for the Air Force in 2011 as an 11-year Veteran of the military. As well as having been to 10 different countries and over 30 states. Getting clean and sober not only saved her and her 2 puppies' lives, but now she is blessed with a gift of understanding, knowledge, and drive, to help others get to the other side of addiction. This has all assisted her with the ability to graduate veteran’s trauma court at El Paso county courts, completed PRCA courses, became a sponsor, and is currently a sober house manager at Next chapter Transitional women’s houses.

Koda Sanders

Justice Program Peer Recovery Coach

Rachel Fowler

Rachel Fowler

Lead Trainer

Daniel Sullivan

Dan was born and raised in Colorado Springs, earning the title of a true native.

“I enjoy being able to work with clients and help them to rediscover their purpose, passions, and strengths. SRC staff, volunteers, and interns walk side by side with their recoverees to offer hope for recovery. We also help clients uncover and experience the things that bring joy, meaning, and purpose to their lives.” – Dan Sullivan

Before SRC, Dan worked in the recovery community for 4 years. His experience includes outpatient, inpatient and MAT facilities. Dan loves going to sporting events, the great outdoors, tenkara fishing, and blowing off steam at a shooting range. Above all else, Daniel loves being a hockey dad.  

Dan’s immediate family consists of his beautiful wife Jessica, and his son Liam. He also takes care of Bristol the rottweiler, Aspen the husky, and a cat named Chloe. He has chickens named, Josi, Sidney, Ozzie, and Louie. Something unique about Daniel is his status and relationship within the military. His experience as an army paratrooper and artillery work is helpful to those who have served and are seeking hope for recovery.  

Daniel Sullivan

Peer Recovery Coach

Brandi Casto

Originally from Texas, Brandi relocated to Colorado Springs in March 2022. She serves as the Resource Development Coordinator for Springs Recovery Connection. Brandi received her AAS in Substance Abuse Counseling from Lamar State College Port Arthur in December 2021 and is a Certified Peer Recovery Coach. Drawing on her education and own lived experience with SUD, Brandi is dedicated to destigmatizing addiction, raising public awareness, and carrying the message of hope for recovery to ALL. Brandi is supporter of all pathways to recovery and believes in a person-centered treatment approach that is unique for each individual and family.

Brandi believes in looking at all aspects of life through a recovery lens. She has never known a recovery community like the one she’s found in Colorado Spring and SRC. The outpouring of love from the community to support recovery amazes Brandi on a daily basis. Her soulmate is her labradoodle Dean, but she’s also very grateful to have the love and support of her kiddos and fiance’.

Brandi Casto

Resource Development Coordinator

Liani Murphy

Liani Murphy is the DOC/Jail Program Coordinator at Springs Recovery Connection. Due to personal experience and justice involvement, Liani stepped into this role to help guide the Justice team into creating more accessibility to those currently incarcerated. Liani is a Certified Peer Recovery Coach and will soon be state certified.

Due to her justice involvement, Liani is knowledgeable about court processes and the programs required to be successful in recovery, while navigating the Judicial system. Giving back to those that have struggled with addiction and hardship with the justice system has led Liani to SRC, with the hope of continuing to advocate for those to maintain their recovery.

Liani has lived in Colorado Springs for 28 years with her two teenage children and two cats. In her free time, she likes to play Pickelball, go on hikes, and practice yoga.

Liani Murphy

DOC/Jail Program Coordinator

Liz Herod

Liz Herod is a Colorado native and has lived in Colorado Springs for seven years. As the Front Office Coordinator for Springs Recovery Connection, Liz is the first person encountered when walking into our agency, and she provides a warm welcome to everyone she meets.

Liz’s past employment experience includes working in healthcare as a Nurse’s Aide and a Hemodialysis Technician. Her education has certifications as a CNA, QMAP, and PCT, and she is currently in the process of training as a Peer Recovery Coach at the SRC Training Institute. Liz believes that working at SRC has given her a unique opportunity to be involved in the recovery community and loves offering support to others using her lived experience, and is in long-term recovery herself.
Liz loves being outdoors, hiking, fishing, and tubing, and enjoys the perks of living in Colorado. She is married with four children, and she is always busy trying to keep up with their different life paths. Their family dog, a miniature Poodle Shitsu named Fred, rounds out her chaotic household!

Are you a recovery hero?

Meet the Team at SRC!

Trudy Strewler Hodges

Trudy Strewler Hodges

Chief Executive Officer

Cathy Plush

Cathy Plush

Founder

Laura Indermuehle, CPFS

Laura Indermuehle, CPFS

Executive Assistant and Human Resources Manager

Angie Neeley, CAC II

Angie Neeley, CAC II

SRC Family Advocate, Peer Recovery Coach

Rebecca Cota, MA

Rebecca Cota, MA

C.R.A.F.T Facilitator, Contractor

Amy Husted

Amy Husted

Contractor, Grant Writer

Dominique Knowles

Dominique Knowles CPFS

Programs Director

Chassity Lemuel, CPFS

Chassity Lemuel, CPFS

Healthcare Program Manager

Kiryn Lake

Kiryn Lake

Outplaced Peer Recovery Coach with Diversus

Frank Montesano

Frank Montesano

Outplaced Coach and Group Coordinator

Koda Sanders

Koda Sanders

Justice Program Peer Recovery Coach

Rachel Fowler

Rachel Fowler

Lead Trainer

Daniel Sullivan

Daniel Sullivan

Peer Recovery Coach

Brandi Casto

Brandi Casto

Resource Development Coordinator

Liani Murphy

Liani Murphy

DOC/Jail Program Coordinator

Liz Herod

Liz Herod

Front Office and Workforce Manager

Grace Kane

Grace Kane

Web Design / Resource Development

Brooke Jensen

Brooke Jensen

Justice Triage Specialist

Nicole Cosgrove

Nicole Cosgrove

Peer Coach- Justice Department

Brenda Laabs

Brenda Laabs

Volunteer/On-Site Event Coordinator

Justin Horn

Justin Horn

Justice Coach

Tonya Keith

Tonya Keith

Recovery Coach

Brandon Brown

Brandon Brown

Outplaced Coach Coordinator

Renee Rozear

Renee Rozear

Outplaced Coach

Jeff Dew CPFS

Jeff Dew, CPFS

Triage Program Coordinator

Brandy Owen

Brandy Owen

Peer Recovery Coach