© Gratitude House, Inc. 2025
Leadership
Supported by a powerful, all-female board and led by an Executive Director with extensive experience, Gratitude House is one of the only sober-living homes with a professional House Manager with long-term recovery herself. It is here that empowered women empower women.
Our leaders are but trusted servants.
Tradition Two of Alcoholics Anonymous
Our Team
Dr. Maggie Sullivan
Executive Director, ex-officio
Maggie Sullivan serves as the Executive Director of Gratitude House, bringing over 27 years of experience in educational leadership and nonprofit advancement. She attended the University of Florida on an athletic scholarship, earned a Master of Arts from WashU, and holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University. In recovery since 1998, she now leads Gratitude House in fundraising, marketing, community outreach, strategic partnerships, and programming—ensuring women have the safe, supportive environment she once needed to build confidence, healthy relationships, and a life rooted in gratitude and service.
Emily Bantle
House Manager, ex-officio
Emily Bantle serves as the House Manager for our residents. She has extensive experience in supporting women in recovery. Most recently, she served as a Case Manager for the Women’s Night Program at St. Patrick Center, where she played a critical role in helping women secure housing, employment, and access to essential resources. As a Certified Peer Support Specialist with 15 years of active involvement in 12-step programs, she has developed and led peer recovery groups. She possesses a deep understanding of how cunning, baffling, and powerful the disease of alcoholism and addiction can be, so she is relentless in her dedication to being of service to others.
Board Of Directors
Amy Payne
Board Chair
Amy Payne’s journey in philanthropy began in 2014 when she joined the National Charity League (NCL) with her daughter, immersing them in service opportunities across various organizations, including Southside Early Childhood Center, Little Bit Foundation, and St. Louis Area Foodbank. After six years with NCL, Amy felt called to continue her service and, in 2021, accepted her sister Beth's invitation to serve as Board President for Gratitude House. Amy dedicates her work as a love letter to her daughter who lived in a sober-living home. A loving mother of three and an Al-Anon member, Amy brings compassion, integrity, and resilience to her role, balancing empathy with a strong commitment to staying true to herself and her values. Her leadership radiates a genuine warmth and strength, making her a beautiful asset to the Gratitude House community.
Sally Topping
Vice Chair
Sally Topping brings over 40 years of experience in advocacy and education to her role as Vice Chair of the Board at Gratitude House. Sally holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. She practiced law from 1984 to 2009, then transitioned to elementary education with the St. Louis Public Schools, where she worked until 2017. From 2017 to 2020, Sally served as president of Local 420 AFT, advocating for educators and students. She returned to private legal practice in 2021, before retiring in 2024. Sally’s dedication to empowering others through both legal advocacy and education aligns with Gratitude House’s mission of supporting women in recovery.
Chris Intagliata
Treasurer
Chris Intagliata brings her expertise in business management and a passion for recovery to the Gratitude House Board. Her career began as an assistant buyer for Clothe World and Linen Center before she moved into bookkeeping for her family’s business, Cobalt Creed, where her love for numbers and attention to detail allowed her to thrive. In recovery herself for 37 years, Chris was profoundly impacted by her own treatment and sober living experience, which introduced her to the strength of community support. She has dedicated herself to creating environments where women can focus solely on healing, free from the trauma of exposure to substance use. Active in the recovery community, Chris has served as a General Service Representative, ambassador for The Next Step, and fundraiser for Central Services. She also supports Recovery Capital and their annual sober picnic, embodying a lifelong dedication to supporting recovery and sobriety.
Lisa Kohler
Board Secretary
Lisa Kohler, a proud St. Louis native, returned to her hometown after gaining valuable professional experience in Chicago and New York City. With over 15 years of expertise in nonprofit development, Lisa has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars for both national and local organizations. A graduate of Visitation Academy, she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Loyola University Chicago and has since worked for organizations such as Teach For America, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and the Missouri Historical Society. In addition to her career in development, Lisa is an accomplished musician, performing as a solo vocalist and choir/band member throughout St. Louis. Her passion for philanthropy and dedication to recovery programs come together in her meaningful role as a board member at Gratitude House, where she is committed to creating lasting change in the lives of women on their journey to rebuilding and thriving.
Jo Ann Sturm
Board Member
Jo Ann Sturm is honored to serve on the board of Gratitude House, where she brings her passion for helping women in recovery. Jo Ann owns her own business and is actively involved in service work, serving on both the International and St. Louis service teams of Centering Prayer 12-Step Outreach, where she shares spiritual practices of prayer and meditation. She has also served as treasurer and social committee member for the Steps Alano Club and has been treasurer of the Fall Classic Committee for four years. Sobriety has been a transformative journey for Jo Ann, who has been living a sober life since January 2003. This transformation fuels her dedication to empowering women through the recovery process and helping them live their best lives. Jo Ann deeply believes that while sobriety is hard work, it can also be a lot of fun.
Aundrea Johnson
Board Member
Aundrea Johnson brings over 18 years of experience as a School Counselor, serving families in Ladue, Ferguson-Florissant, and St. Louis Public Schools. With nine years as a Behavioral Intake Therapist conducting substance abuse and mental health assessments. Aundrea earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and a Master’s in School Counseling from Lindenwood University. Currently pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), she is also a doctoral student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, studying Social Justice in Education. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Aundrea serves on the boards of Rides-N-School Supplies and the St. Louis Suburban School Counselor Association. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family.
Jaymi Davis
Board Member
Jaymi Elaine Davis is a native of St. Louis, MO. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Oral Roberts University in 2014, followed by a Certificate in Public Health from Loyola University Chicago in 2015, and a Master’s in Professional Counseling in 2022.
She is an author, speaker, therapist, and owner of Refining Place Coaching, LLC. She is the founder of Rose of Sharon, a women’s ministry whose mission is to inspire women to own their femininity, rebuild their lives, and love themselves while doing it.
As a therapist, Jaymi takes pride in guiding clients through their healing journeys, with a special focus on youth and mental health education. Her desire both in her ministry and career is to impact the lives of those she meets through the power of Christ.
Peg Weathers
Board Member
Peg Weathers is an accomplished nonprofit leader with significant experience in civic engagement, higher education, and recovery advocacy. Currently, as the President of Grand Center, Inc., Peg is driving new growth and energy into St. Louis’s cultural heart. With over two decades of experience across political, corporate, and community sectors, Peg has a reputation for turning vision into action, from revitalizing business associations to directing political campaigns. Previously, she served on the board of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NCADA), underscoring her dedication to addiction recovery and mental health advocacy. Peg’s passion for helping others find healing aligns closely with Gratitude House’s mission.
Ellen Jordan
Board Member
Ellen has more than 40 years in the banking industry. She joined Enterprise Bank & Trust in 2000 and serves as Senior Vice President, Private Banking. She is responsible for serving the financial needs of high net-worth individuals, business owners, and their families. Small Business Monthly has twice recognized her with its “Best Banker in St. Louis” award and voted as “Top 100 St. Louisans to Know”. Having personal experience with family members succumbed by alcoholism and addiction, she believes as a board member she will be able to support the mission of Gratitude House and be supportive to the women who are committed to a 12-step recovery.
Nyah Brummer
Board Member
Nyah Brummer is the Admissions and Communications Specialist at Rosati-Kain Academy in St. Louis. A University of Notre Dame alum with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, she returned to her hometown to support young people from diverse backgrounds. Nyah’s experience includes running summer enrichment programs, mentoring high schoolers of color through the college application process, and training peers at Notre Dame on racial equity and microaggressions. With a strong commitment to social justice, relationship-building, and fostering empathy, Nyah is a young and brilliant leader with a big heart who brings her passion for serving the dear neighbor to Gratitude House, where she joins efforts to create transformative change.
Ellen Franzel
Board Member
Ellen Franzel, a St. Louis native, has over 40 years of experience in finance, accounting, and mergers and acquisitions. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Miami University (Ohio) and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. For the past 26 years, Ellen has served in the Finance department at Evernorth, a division of Cigna Healthcare. She is the mother of two young adults and enjoys spending her free time cycling, walking, reading, baking, and traveling with her husband. Addiction and recovery are causes close to Ellen’s heart, and she is eager to contribute her time and expertise to the continued growth and success of Gratitude House.
Alexandra Schnarre
Board Member
Alex Schnarre, a St. Louis native, is passionate about supporting women in her community. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Northwestern University, where she was recognized with the Wildcat Impact Award for Integrity, Alex pursued her Juris Doctor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and serving as Managing Editor of the Indiana Law Journal. She demonstrated her commitment to service as the leader of NU Gives Back, Northwestern’s largest day of service, and authored a publication on foster care. Now a commercial litigation associate at Husch Blackwell, Alex is committed to empowering women through her legal career and community involvement. In her free time, Alex enjoys working out, trying new restaurants, thrifting, and watching college football. Addiction is close to Alex’s heart, and she is excited to be part of the growth of Gratitude House.
Liza Thornhill
Board Member
Liza Thornhill, a St. Louis native, attended Villa Duchesne and Denison University in Ohio. The oldest of four and the only daughter, she has spent 23 years as a realtor with Janet McAfee, where she discovered her passion for helping families find their homes—and where she met her late husband, whom she lost to cancer at age 40. Liza loves her work in real estate, as well as reading, exercise, long walks in nature, and planning gatherings for family and friends. Deeply in love with recovery, she is committed to living in service to others. Liza is admired for her enthusiastic passion for spirituality while she exudes grace and humility everywhere she goes.