2026 Oct 8-9th Recovery Alliance Initiative Summit

The RAI Summit "OneNC: Whole Person, Whole Recovery Systems" is designed for leaders, providers, and individuals with lived experience to come together and discuss recovery solutions that can benefit all NC communities. Attendees include law enforcement, social workers, judges, county government officials, leaders, educators, direct service providers, community members, individuals with lived experience, and many other sectors. The RAI Summit celebrates recovery and the efforts to create healthier, recovery-supportive communities that can save lives. We hope attendees will gain insights and forge connections that can drive change in their communities through actionable solutions.

This year some of our speakers include: 

Jeff Jackson - NC Attorney General

Kelly Crosbie - Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services at NCDHHS

Sheriff Charles Blackwood, Orange County 

Chris Budnick, Executive Director of Healing Transitions 

Terrence Walton, MSW, Executive Director of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals

Kurt Lebeck, Behavioral Health and recovery science researcher for SUD and co-occurring disorders. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Smith College

David Whitesock, CEO & Founder of Commonly Well

Stephanne Thornton, Clinical Director & Owner, West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program & Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability

Tara Kunkel, MSW, Founder of Rulo Strategies, former Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice

Kristina Bryant, MBA, Rulo Strategies, National Leader in Community Corrections