Board of directors

Bonnie E. Carlson, Ph.D., MSW, has more than 30 years experience on faculty at the university level including her current position as a Professor at the School of Social Work, Arizona State University for 5 years. She has conducted research for over 30 years on domestic violence, physical and sexual child abuse, and substance abuse in women. For 8 years, she was a member of the board of directors of Albany (NY) Citizens Council on Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies and served as its president from 2001 to 2007 when she helped them obtain a facility for recovering women and their children, much like Weldon House.

She grew up in Connecticut and was educated at the University of Michigan where she received her BA, MSW and Ph.D. degrees. She enjoys spending time with her 8 grandchildren, who are scattered all over the country. She also enjoys yoga, meditation, hiking and walking in the Valley with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Juniper. She and her husband look forward to spending more time in Sedona when they both retire.

Ms. Mendoza has over 15 years experience in social work, including a faculty position at the ASU School of Social Work. Prior to that, she was a doctoral fellow at The Research Institute on Addiction in New York where she won awards for her research on mothers in the child welfare system with substance abuse issues. Her current research at Southwestern Interdisciplinary Research Center focuses on women’s alcohol/drug use, perceived coercion to enter treatment and development of recovery.

Dr. Rex Ragsdale is a geriatrics doctor in Mesa, Arizona. He received his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He also speaks multiple languages, including Portuguese and Creole.

Ms. Warriner has over 30 years of experience providing leadership, support, and education in a variety of behavioral health and education settings. She has developed and implemented therapeutic foster care programs, as well as educational and clinical programs for families of substance abusers. Ms. Warriner has experience providing contractual oversight for quality assurance of health plans’ Medicaid services. She has also been responsible for providing technical assistance and project management in an initiative to improve health outcomes for opiate-addicted pregnant women.

Currently, Ms. Warriner is a Project Manager for PATH (Partnership to Advance Tribal Health). Her work includes healthcare quality improvement and support at two Arizona facilities of the Indian Health Services system.

Ms. Warriner also serves as a volunteer and member of the Event Committee for Tovrea Castle. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her husband and friends.

Ms. Warriner holds a Master of Science degree in Education, with a focus on Secondary Guidance Counseling, from Bucknell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Amanda is a Benefits Consultant with A and H Insurance in Mesa, AZ.  Most recently, Amanda served as Director of Aftercare and Referrals with Elevate Addiction Services, helping clients plan for life after treatment. A helper at heart, Amanda has spent several years in substance abuse counseling. Amanda is passionate about fitness and nutrition. When she is not working, you can most likely find her at the gym.  A self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie,” Amanda loves skydiving, snowmobiling, and 4-wheeling.  She also loves the history channel and her chihuahua Millie.