About us

Amy Spain-Duncan, BSN, RN, CADAC II serves as Chair of the Board for Northstar Recovery. With both professional expertise and years of lived experience in the recovery community, Amy has devoted her career to helping people find lasting freedom from addiction. As co-owner of Where We Began IOP & Counseling, she works daily with individuals and families navigating recovery while helping develop programs that promote long-term success. Her vision for Northstar Recovery is to ensure that every person seeking recovery has access to a safe, supportive home where accountability, community, and hope come together to build a new way of life.

For over 10 years, Michelle Collins has been a valued contributor in the field of Alcohol and Substance Abuse treatment. You may know her from her work as the director of the largest women’s residential treatment center in Kentucky or her work in Behavioral Health in the private sector. Michelle currently holds a degree in Human Services and CADAC II in Indiana and an Adult Mental Health Peer Support in Kentucky. She is currently pursuing a certificate as an Addiction Peer Recovery Coach. For the past four years, Michelle has been involved in the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort and Building Communities of Recovery data collection for national studies.

Originally from Indiana, Michelle relocated to Kentucky in 2012 and has been highly active in Louisville’s recovery community. She exhibits empathy and compassion to those suffering from Alcohol and Drug addiction. Michelle is open about her own experiences and recovery, allowing her story to give hope to those still struggling with theirs.

Rachel Washington, LSW, LCAC, LCADC serves as a Board Member of Northstar Recovery, Inc., where she plays an active role in organizational operations, program development, grant readiness, and funding initiatives. Driven by the belief that recovery is possible for everyone, Rachel is dedicated to spreading compassion, hope, and joy—one life at a time.
 
For more than nine years, Rachel has worked in the substance use disorder treatment field, serving in leadership positions including Executive Director of an inpatient treatment facility and Treatment Center Director of an outpatient program. Throughout her career, she has helped individuals and families affected by addiction begin the process of healing, rebuilding relationships, and creating meaningful, purpose-driven lives.
 
Rachel earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and her Master's Degree in Social Work and holds multiple professional credentials, including Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Indiana, as well as Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and Targeted Case Management Certification (TCM) in Kentucky. Her expertise spans clinical operations, program compliance, accreditation readiness, strategic planning, recovery housing, and community-based recovery support services.
 
In addition to her professional work, Rachel has dedicated countless hours to community service, nonprofit leadership, and mentoring individuals in recovery. She has been instrumental in the development and launch of multiple treatment programs and recovery-focused initiatives throughout the region. At Northstar Recovery, she remains committed to expanding access to safe, supportive recovery environments and helping individuals find lasting recovery, renewed purpose, and a better quality of life.
 
"Every person deserves the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and discover the life they were meant to live." – Rachel Washington

Cyndi Masters’ mantra, “success equals responsibility,” permeates both her personal and professional endeavors. A visionary leader and entrepreneur, Cyndi brings over 25 years of experience in technology and business leadership.

In 2000, Cyndi founded DBS Interactive and grew it from a solo enterprise with $1500 and a laptop into a global digital agency.  Today, DBS has employees in multiple states and countries.

That reach is essential to serving clients around the world. Still, Cyndi maintains and balances the personal touch to set DBS apart from the digital industry.

Beyond the CEO of DBS, Cyndi has pursued many entrepreneurial projects over the years. Currently, she co-owns Mighty Small Homes.

Her caring heart matches her unquenchable drive and ambition. Cyndi offers her time and talent, serving on the boards of multiple nonprofits that help individuals with considerable obstacles, including the Oates Institute, Louisville Deaf Community Center, Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, The KY Arthritis Board, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  She has served as the founder of the Digital Accessibility Consortium and the Civitas -NGLCC founding board.

Masters is a 2018 graduate of Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business Executive. She has been recognized for her hard work through awards such as the Mary Varga Life of Courage Award and the Mortons/Red Cross Women of Spirit Award.

John Edmonds is a long-term member of the recovery community residing in TN. John brings extensive experience in non-profit management and formation to our Board of Directors. His 25 years of business ownership experience is an added benefit to Northstar.

Over the last several years, Darrell has led change in the recovery residence and recovery supports field at the state and national levels. He is the Founder of the Indiana Affiliation of Recovery Residences (INARR). He has served on the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) Board of Directors for nine years, including two terms as both Vice-President and President. In 2017, Darrell helped draft and pass legislation establishing Recovery Housing standards in Indiana law. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Darrell’s advocacy extends to the national stage. He is a co-author of the chapter on Recovery Supports in the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, Fourth Edition, used nationwide to guide holistic treatment planning. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture asked Darrell to author a paper for "The Rural Community Action Guide." The RCAG has been distributed nationally to equip rural leaders with critical information from lessons learned on the frontlines of prevention, treatment, and recovery in rural America. In January 2020, Senior Officials at the White House invited Darrell to attend the launch of ONDCP's Rural Community Action Guide and meet senior leaders.

Closer to home, Darrell recently testified on Indiana House Bill 1296 (enacted July 1, 2026), which establishes a new framework of transparency and accountability for recovery housing across the state.

For over ten years, Darrell served as the Chief Executive Officer for Progress House, Indiana’s oldest and largest Recovery Residence. In 2019, Progress House consolidated with Aspire Indiana Health. Today, Darrell serves as Senior Vice President of Recovery & Community Impact at Aspire Indiana Health, overseeing the integration of recovery principles and practices across Aspire's healthcare system.

Renee brings over three decades of lived experience and deep community insight to the Board of Directors. Celebrating more than 30 years in long-term recovery, she has dedicated much of her life to supporting others on their healing journeys through extensive volunteer work in local correctional facilities and treatment centers. Renee is passionate about breaking down barriers to recovery and advocating for compassionate, accessible support systems within the community.

Karl Moris has been a dedicated leader in the recovery community for more than 35 years. He served for 20 years on the Board of Directors of the Sober Living Network, 30 years on the Board of Directors of the Puente House Foundation, 10 years on the Board of Directors of Hope Manor and the National Sober Living Association helping to expand recovery resources and support services throughout Southern California and the Midwestern States.

Through his work with Puente House and numerous community initiatives, Karl has advocated for safe, high-quality sober living environments and helped countless individuals build successful lives in recovery. His commitment to service, recovery, and giving people a second chance has made a lasting impact on individuals, families, and the recovery community as a whole.

Beyond his work within sober living, Karl has been an active supporter of recovery-focused community events, educational initiatives, and scholarship programs. He has played a key role in organizing and supporting Run4Recovery and SoberFest, annual events that raise funds to assist individuals seeking recovery and celebrate the hope and transformation made possible through sobriety.

O. Clifton Gooding is a shareholder and director of the firm The Gooding Law Firm, A Professional Corporation, located in Oklahoma City. His primary area of practice is Bankruptcy with an emphasis on consumer and business reorganization. Mr. Gooding received his B.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1980 and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1983, where he was a member of the Oklahoma Law Review and the Order of the Coif.

He serves as a member and Past Chairman of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee of the Oklahoma Bar Association. He is the Past Chairman of the Oklahoma County Bankruptcy Section. He is a frequent speaker on commercial and consumer bankruptcy and recovery. He is a member of the Oklahoma County, Oklahoma and American Bar Associations, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.