Born and raised in Washington, Kelsi is passionate about the outdoors, connecting with nature, and sharing meals. Her upbringing in a family that gardened, canned, and cooked together sparked her interest in the culinary arts. After studying pastry and sustainable food practices at the Seattle Culinary Academy, Kelsi worked in restaurants before returning to school to become a Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Now working as a Regulatory Specialist in the dietary supplement industry, Kelsi is also dedicated to empowering others through her personal journey with anxiety and chronic stress. She found strength in peer support groups and has since incorporated alternative therapies like EMDR and Somatic Healing into her own path toward well-being. As a board member of PEP, Kelsi is excited to connect with others facing mental health and substance abuse challenges, sharing hope and fostering a supportive community. In her free time, Kelsi enjoys cooking, kayaking, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Allyssa Jomei serves as the Executive Director of Peers Empower Peers and helps bring community gatherings and learning spaces to life. She is passionate about peer-led wellness, rural connection, and creating spaces where people can share their stories and support one another. Her work focuses on stewarding strong community connections while helping guide the organization toward a more collaborative, shared leadership and community-inspired future. She is especially energized by the organization’s current evolution and the opportunity to live out peer values through shared leadership with such a thoughtful and inspiring team.

Born and raised in sunny Florida, Day is a Certified Peer Counselor with a deep commitment to supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. Drawing from years of lived experience in addiction and long-term recovery, she brings authenticity, resilience, and hope to her work. Having navigated hospitals, treatment programs, and systemic barriers firsthand, Day now walks alongside others facing trauma, substance use, mental health challenges, and limited access to care. Day specializes in peer-led support, wellness-based recovery practices, and community outreach, particularly in rural communities. Her approach blends recovery principles with creativity, nature, mindfulness, and holistic wellness strategies to help individuals reconnect with purpose and possibility. She believes recovery happens day by day, and that healing begins when people are met exactly where they are, without judgment, shame, or stigma. As a mother and community advocate, Day is honored to serve as part of the Peers Empower Peers community, helping others rediscover their strength and move forward with dignity and hope.

Bio Coming Soon!

Lauren is a Certified Peer Counselor who brings authenticity, passion, and hope to her work with those navigating recovery. Having experienced the challenges of substance use firsthand, Lauren is deeply committed to helping others find their own path to healing. She joined the PEP board in 2023 after volunteering for the organization’s annual conference. Lauren is currently pursuing a degree in Addiction Studies and aspires to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews, crafting, thrift shopping, and relaxing with a good book and her cat, Oliver. Her personal journey of recovery fuels her desire to inspire others to heal and grow.