Sharon Hesseltine


Speaker

Sharon Hesseltine, BSW is President and CEO of Intentional Beginnings of Louisville, KY, providing consultation, facilitation and training to strengthen services for individuals impacted by substance use disorders.  She has expertise specific to supporting pregnant and parenting women experiencing substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma.  Sharon received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 1981, and in 2011 completed a post-graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota.  For over 30 years Sharon has worked in Public Health and specialized in early childhood development, women’s health and addiction. Her career has ranged from providing direct services to women through managing two sober living residences to designing and facilitating statewide and local collaborative initiatives that call on her skills in public policy, strategic planning, cross sector collaboration, program assessment and marketing.  Sharon has been a national trainer and facilitator for multiple organizations including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC) and Great Kids Inc. for the Growing Great Kids Parenting Curriculum. She has most recently developed SUD specific training for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors in Kentucky and provides TA for the SAMHSA funded Opioid Response Network Technical Assistance Consortium.  Sharon is also a woman in long-term recovery and brings a unique mix of experience and science to her presentations.  She is passionate about developing the capacity of communities, organizations and individuals to better meet the needs of individuals, families and communities impacted by substance use disorders.