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Brett has fostered environments where curiosity and innovation thrive in Corporate America for over two decades. In 2021, as a person in long-term recovery, he joined the "recovering out loud" movement, openly sharing his sobriety journey with Cisco’s 80,000 employees.
Brett knows firsthand what it’s like to navigate addiction while carrying high-level responsibilities in a multinational corporation. When he joined Cisco in 2011, he was deep in active addiction—juggling work, expectations, and an internal struggle that left him confused, frustrated, and fearful. As his Substance Use Disorder (SUD) escalated, he felt lost, uncertain where to turn for help.
In 2013, Brett got sober and started a new path. For the next eight years, he kept his recovery private, quietly navigating corporate events and team functions as a person in recovery.
That changed in 2021. Determined to break through shame and stigma, Brett chose to recover out loud. He led a movement that reshaped company culture, founding Sober Curious at Cisco, a company-wide employee group that connected colleagues across departments. The group drove real change—advocating for healthier workplace norms, influencing how large corporate events were structured, and bringing in experts to educate employees. They built internal resources that helped normalize conversations about addiction, a condition that affects two-thirds of American families.
Now, with 12 years of sobriety, Brett is dedicated to helping companies address the elephant in the room. His lived experience fuels his passion for helping workplaces become more supportive, informed, and proactive with Recovery Friendly Workplace practices.
Certifications & Leadership:
CFAA-HR – Certified Facilitator in Addiction Awareness for HR & Managers
Certified Facilitator – Crucial Conversations
Dare to Lead™ Trained – Brené Brown
Podcaster – Addiction & Recovery Conversations
Recovery Friendly Workplace SME – Washington Recovery Alliance
Ambassador – Shatterproof
Certified Recovery Coach - CCAR
