Loretta Kennedy, Advisory Board

No amount of education, life experience or skills could have prepared Loretta for the journey she had as the mother of an addict.  As so many families and friends of those who suffer from addiction and mental health issues, Loretta also found herself in an unfamiliar world where she had to learn how to deal with the addict, keep the family intact, navigate through the myriad of detox and rehab facilities, work through insurance matters and also to take care of herself.  Through this journey, she met many wonderful people, both the addicts and their loved ones, who inspired her, shared their stories with her and encouraged her to never give up hope. As her son is in recovery for many years, Loretta, in turn, has made herself available, shared her story and experiences, and been a source of encouragement for families.

Loretta previously worked as a Captain in the NYC Police Department and also just recently retired as a Security Director for JetBlue Airways.  She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Marist College and is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. She was appointed to and currently serves on the US Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking where her input and contributions are reflected in a report that will be released in early 2020.