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Break the Stigma: Speaker Series
This three-part anti-stigma speaker series aims to foster understanding, reduce shame, and promote meaningful conversations that move us from judgment to compassion. This series highlights real-world experience, personal insight, and professional expertise from a police officer, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and a judge—all of whom have worked closely with individuals and families impacted by addiction.
Each talk will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Ives Theater at the Reif Center, located at 720 NW Conifer Dr, Grand Rapids, MN. All sessions are free, open to the public, and welcome to everyone—no registration or prior attendance required.
To help you get to know the voices leading these important conversations, you’ll find speaker bios for each session below.
We hope you’ll join us for one session, or all three, as we come together to learn, reflect, and break the stigma as a community!
- January 06, 2026
- By Staff Writer
Chief Dave Suckling, Beyond the Arrest
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 7 PM • Ives Theater, Reif Center
Dave Suckling became the Chief of Police in Alexandria, NH in 2020. Prior to this, he was a police officer in Danbury, NH and completed the full-time academy in 2014. Dave has received numerous awards and recognition, such as the Carol J. Estes Community Leader Award from the Communities for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth in 2022, South Lakes Region Champion for Leadership award from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, 2018 NH Congressional Law Enforcement Award, and Certificate of Commendation in 2013. Since becoming the Chief of Police, Dave assisted the town in becoming a recovery friendly town, and he implemented an officer-assisted path to treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorder. He became passionate about helping people enter treatment after growing tired of seeing community members dying from substance use disorders. Dave was Appointed to the Governor’s Commission Addiction Treatment and Prevention in 2025 as the NH chiefs of police representative
Katy Larson, MA, LADC, The Long Way Home
Thursday, March 12, 2026 • 7 PM • Ives Theater, Reif Center
Katy Larson is a seasoned healthcare leader and clinician with nearly two decades of experience across nursing, addiction treatment, and clinical program leadership. She holds a degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling and Co-Occurring Disorders. Katy is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in the state of Minnesota and brings a deeply integrated, patient-centered approach to behavioral healthcare.
Katy began her healthcare career as a nurse, serving patients and families at Allina Health from 2007 to 2011 and Regions Hospital from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, she joined Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, where she has played a key role in advancing residential treatment programming. She currently oversees residential programming at Hazelden Betty Ford in Center City, Minnesota, providing strategic and clinical leadership to multidisciplinary teams delivering evidence-based, compassionate care.
Throughout her career, Katy has led and contributed to numerous internal and external initiatives focused on safety, quality, and innovation in care delivery. Her work includes leadership in workplace violence reduction, certification as a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Instructor through CPI, and collaboration with therapy dogs through Ultimate Canine, LLC to support healing environments. She has also spearheaded the organization-wide implementation of evidence-based curricula across Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, strengthening clinical consistency and outcomes across programs.
In addition to her professional achievements, Katy is an accomplished artist who has received multiple awards for hyper-realistic drawing, reflecting both creativity and discipline that inform her leadership style. As a person in long-term recovery from opiates and alcohol since 2011, she is deeply committed to smashing stigma, reducing barriers to care, and advocating for accessible, compassionate treatment for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
Outside of her professional work, Katy enjoys exploring the world with her husband, Jesse, and their two children, Kian and Ellis. She brings authenticity, resilience, and purpose to every space she leads—grounded in lived experience, clinical expertise, and a steadfast belief in recovery.
Judge Linda Davis, Bridging the Gaps
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 • 7 PM • Ives Theater, Reif Center
Judge Linda Davis was appointed to the bench in 2000 by Michigan Governor John Engler. Prior to her judgeship, Davis spent 13 years as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. She played a crucial role in the inception of Face Addiction Now Formerly Families Against Narcotics (FAN) and has been instrumental in the success and growth of the nonprofit. In 2019, Davis retired from the 41B District Court to becomeExecutive Director of FAN. She was appointed as a voting member of Michigan's Opioid Advisory Commission in 2022.
If you have any questions about the Break the Stigma: Speaker Series, please contact:
Siri Eidsmo, MSW, LICSW, LADC (she/her)
Associate Project Director – Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)
Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
📞 218-999-1258
✉️ [email protected]
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for these events. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $500,000. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.