The Team

Education:

B.A. Communication Studies, Colorado State University

Certificate in Health Communication, University of Colorado, Denver

Why I founded Sober Livers:

In 2021, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis climbed from 11th to the 9th cause of death for Americans, killing more people than kidney disease (CDC). With alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) being the leading cause of these deaths, as well as the number one reason for liver transplants, I was spurred to take action! 

Why I am prepared to lead Sober Liver:

As a professional Research, Communication, Dissemination, and Implementation, Program Manager, I have dynamic experience in government contracting, health communication, aerospace, new media, and supply chain. Demonstrating my agility, I have developed key partners through empathy, listening, and strategic communication, resulting in expansion to new and existing markets. As the visionary for Sober Livers, I am focused on connection, partnership dynamics, resilience training, storytelling, and health models and theories.

What is my personal connection:

As a survivor of severe interpersonal violence (IPV), I developed complex PTSD, drinking like many victims do, to numb the pain. At 46, I almost died from alcohol-induced hepatitis and decompensated liver cirrhosis. With a 30% chance of living, I felt alone, ashamed, and more afraid than I was when a brutal man stalked me across four states. If it wasn’t for my dog who needed me for his survival, I may have given up. With this short-term resolve, I was able to heal enough to discover meaning in my life — a purpose — ensuring others are not alone during this difficult journey.

Today, I have been safe from IPV since 2013, and sober since 2018. After taking inventory of my education, business acumen building multimillion-dollar partners in aerospace government contracting and supply chain management, and lived experience, I decided to dedicate my life to this purpose. In March 2023, I founded this novel program dedicated to helping people survive the diagnosis of ALD. With your support, we can help people with ALD find meaning in their lives, and with their care partners have the joy in life we all deserve!

Come back soon! We are adding to our team, including our Cultural and Spiritual Advisor, Francesca James. Also, we will introduce our 

Whole Health Advisory Council. If you are a medical provider and would like to learn more about becoming a member of our advisory team, please send an email to JennJones@SoberLivers.org.