Our Staff
Lerena Greig has worked in the non-profit sector since 2007, specifically in the field of addiction and recovery. She has presented all over Alberta with her lived experience and advocates for change in the stigma of mental health and addiction. In 2019, she joined as a Director of the Board for Our House Addiction Recovery Centre.
As Executive Director of Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) Society, Lerena oversees and implements the programs for PEP, hiring and training of the administrative staff and facilitators, while also fulfilling the role of public relations and resource development.
She is a trained facilitator for the Family Recovery Group and on the team that manages the family support line.
Lerena is passionate about empowering families and individuals to take that step into recovery and break the cycle of addiction.
Facilitator of Family Recovery Group | Family Support Line Team Member
“Knowing that addiction affects the whole family and community and being passionate to assist families both as a professional and through lived experience I was humbled when asked to facilitate for Parents Empowering Parents. The greatest gift a family can give itself is the strength and knowledge to enter into their own recovery regaining their health and peace”
Vivian works as an addictions counsellor with Enoch Cree Nations.
Addiction knows no boundaries. She is passionate in her belief that we as a society can make great impact for change and hopes to be a small part in this process.
Rachel has been a facilitator with PEP since 2015. She has an undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Community Health Sciences. She spent several years volunteering on a crisis support line in her hometown of Winnipeg. Rachel currently works for Alberta Health Services in mental health and addiction research and evaluation. In her free time, Rachel enjoys playing slo-pitch and hanging out with her cat, Monty.
Corine returned to PEP as a facilitator in 2022. She started her journey with PEP as a U-turn Facilitator (2006-2009). Later she transitioned to PEP Meeting Facilitator (2012-2015) and during that time served 18 months as the Executive Director. She also played an instrumental role in the birth of the MEDD-X program. In addition to her employment with PEP, Corine has worked at a residential treatment centre as an addictions counsellor, facilitated a recovery program for individuals leaving the sex-trade, and spent almost a decade of her career as a probation officer. Having secured her Masters in Counselling Psychology, Corine is currently a Registered Provisional Psychologist providing counselling to adults via private practice.
Corine is passionate about addiction recovery and personally commits herself to a sober lifestyle. She is motivated to support families understand addiction and find freedom from it through their own recovery. She believes we can improve our quality of life by working on ourselves and that personal development is a life long journey. In her personal time Corine finds joy and connection by participating in Indigenous ceremonies.
Debbie began her journey with PEP as a parent participant in the Family Recovery meetings. She joined the PEP team as a facilitator in 2019 and, using her group facilitation skills and personal lived experience, assists family members in their recovery journeys. Debbie is also the Program Manager for PEP, which includes management and evaluation of current and future programming.
Debbie is passionate about learning and aims to expand her knowledge and understanding through her personal experiences, PEP team interactions, and family contributions in the recovery meetings. She says it is an honour to walk alongside families as they learn what wellness means for them and to witness them regain their lives.
In her spare time, Debbie loves dabbling in PowerPoint graphic design and spending time her family.
Wanda joined the PEP team in 2021. After working in an Administrative position, she returned to post-secondary education, seeking a rewarding role in Human Services, wanting to make a difference in the lives of others. She has extensive experience working with both Indigenous Populations and those experiencing homelessness. After working in a not-for-profit for several years she ended up taking a position with Alberta Health Services at Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, in Forensic Psychiatry. She is currently employed as a Concurrent Disorders Counsellor in Adult Acute Psychiatry. Her passion is advocating for those who do not have a voice or adequate supports when challenged by co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. As well, she puts the utmost importance on providing Trauma-informed care with clients. Previously a member of the Canadian Addictions Counselling Federation, she is now a member of the Alberta Counselling Therapy Association, which is a precursor to the Canadian Counselling Therapy Association. Her interests include volunteering with a local animal rescue agency “Little Cats Lost”, spending time in nature, and gardening.
Roberto is a peer support with the U-turn program and facilitator with the virtual Wednesday family recovery support group. Roberto has been involved with PEP since the summer of 2016. His journey through PEP started while battling various addictions and having matters in criminal court which landed him a seat as a MEDD-X participant in the family support group. Finding support on his journey of recovery has been the most meaningful endeavor of his life and having the opportunity to share that journey with PEP has been an added bonus. He deeply appreciates finding allies who have supported him on his journey of recovery and looks forward to opportunities to repay that gratitude. He loves being a part of PEP and seeing the magic that happens in the room.