The Crew

  • CHIEF STIGMA BREAKER

    ROBBY STEMPLER
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    ROBBY STEMPLER

    CHIEF STIGMA BREAKER

    Robby, a veteran of recovery, has found success in disrupting industries to improve them.

    His introduction to the behavioral healthcare space was through an electronic medical records software startup named KIPU. He was highly instrumental in the development, launch, and growth of KIPU, becoming the industry standard EMR for addiction treatment centers, which sold in January of 2021 for over $290 million to TCV Partners. KIPU currently has over 1,800 addiction treatment facilities utilizing its software.

    Armed with the knowledge of rehabilitation practices and noticing the need for more detox centers in the Los Angeles area, he founded Malibu Detox in 2015. After seeing clients go in and out and then return, he realized there was a tremendous need for quality long-term residential care. “The facilities did not care about the client’s success and wellness, and the insurance companies set up the system for failure, meaning repeat clients were extremely profitable. There was no financial incentive or motivation for success. The success rate for clients staying clean and sober for one year out of treatment is between 4-6%. That is unacceptable for any business, especially healthcare. I wondered, “how can I fix this and disrupt an industry?” Treatment was ripe for a change, and it was personal because of my own struggles with addiction. It was the best of both worlds: a personal passion and something that needed to be done.”

  • CLINICAL STIGMA BREAKER

    STACY FRUHLING
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    STACY FRUHLING

    CLINICAL STIGMA BREAKER

    Senior Level Executive with over 20 years of hands-on experience in healthcare, managed care and behavioral health industries. Significant experience with multi-location organizations. Adaptable approach with strong emotional intelligence and effective problem solving, analytical and project management skills. Strong communication, interpersonal relations, mentoring, negotiation and organizational skills. Dually licensed in the state of Maryland as an LCPC and LCADC, with national certifications for counseling, addictions and DOT SAP services. Specialized training in disaster mental health, crisis intervention, eating disorders and military counseling.

  • DIRECTOR OF STIGMA BREAKING

    JORDANA BLESA
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    JORDANA BLESA

    DIRECTOR OF STIGMA BREAKING
  • DIRECTOR OF STIGMA BREAKING CONTENT

    LAISHA MARTINEZ
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    LAISHA MARTINEZ

    DIRECTOR OF STIGMA BREAKING CONTENT

    Laisha was raised in North Carolina, a first-generation U.S. citizen of Dominican parents. At nineteen years old, she is out in the world trying to make her mark. But leading up to today her path hasn’t been easy. She understands the stigma firsthand, having experienced it herself. From a young age, she’s struggled with active addiction, discrimination, and mental illness.

    Laisha hopes to make a difference in the way we all view those with mental illness, substance abuse, eating disorders, homelessness, those in the LGBTQ community… and the list goes on. She believes in changing the way people are labeled as “psychotic” to “a person experiencing psychosis”, and treating everyone equally regardless of who they are or what they’re going through.

    Her goal is to make content voicing the stories of those who’ve experienced the stigma surrounding these topics and helping the community to embrace it.