The LGBTQ+ community often faces unique and nuanced challenges regarding addiction and mental health treatment. When looking for professional help, it is vital that you find a facility and staff that understands this. The Pride Institute staff of treatment specialists is ready to guide you on your recovery journey—all you have to do is reach out. Call 888.408.1625 or fill out our confidential online form today for more information about Pride Institute.
Meet the Pride Institute Staff
Terri Hayden (she/her)
MA – Chief Executive Officer
Before joining Pride Institute as Chief Executive Officer in December 2018, Hayden served as the Executive Director of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota for over ten years. She also was Director of Chemical Health Services at Chrysalis, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization providing a wide array of services and care to women and their families. Hayden served as an adjunct professor at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augsburg University and a master’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s University.
Hayden currently serves on the board of directors for Pride Institute and the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers – NAATP.
Todd Connaughty(he/him)
MA, LPCC, LADC – Director of Clinical Services
Todd Connaughty has worked for Pride Institute for more than 15 years in a number of roles but has been Director of Clinical Services since 2012 and currently sits on the board of directors. Connaughty is passionate about his work with the LGBTQ+ community and has been part of the conference circuit in recent years, presenting at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorder, the Finding Freedom Symposium, the West Coast Symposium, the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH), and the Minnesota Social Services Association (MSSA), to name a few.
Connaughty received his Bachelor of Science degree from Metropolitan State University in Addiction Counseling and his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University. Connaughty is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is a board-approved supervisor for licensed alcohol and drug counselors.
Ann Leible(she/her)
Director of Utilization Review
Ann Leible has been with Pride Institute since 2001. During this time, she held positions in Pride Institute’s intake department and still provides critical support for the staff with her professional counseling and assessment experience. She has spent most of her time at Pride as a member of the leadership team as Director of Utilization Review and Co-Director of Performance Improvement. She is grateful to be part of the process of hope and recovery for community members that struggle with the pain of addiction.
Lucas Miller(he/him)
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Luke Miller joined Pride as the Director of Marketing and Business Development in January 2019. He currently sits on the board of directors for Pride Institute and is the Co-Director of Performance Improvement. Miller previously worked for Allina Health, where he led the organization’s Shared Decision-Making initiative, and also spent three years as a sports reporter for the Grand Forks Herald in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Miller received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota with degrees in communications and English and his master’s degree in creative writing from Augsburg University.
Meaghan Morton(she/her)
Director of Nursing
Morton served as Director of Nursing at the Pride Institute from 1997 to 2000 and rejoined the staff in May 2019. Morton has held various positions in healthcare, including Hospice Care Clinical Service Director, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Clinical Researcher of HIV/AIDS/Cardiology/Oncology, and Director of Nursing, Senior Living. She mostly served as Clinical Nurse Manager of the HIV/AIDS unit at the City of Lakes Transitional Care Center.
Morton obtained her Associate of Applied Science degree from North Hennepin Community College, and graduated from the nursing program at the College of St. Catherine.
Vivian Nordlund (she/her)
LADC – Admissions Supervisor
Sandstrom joined Pride in May 2015. Before her arrival, she served in several HR roles in various industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, commercial real estate, property management, and construction. Sandstrom graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a human resources management concentration.
Jerri Sandstrom (she/her)
SPHR – Director of Human Resources
Sandstrom joined Pride in May 2015. Before her arrival, she served in several HR roles in various industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, commercial real estate, property management, and construction. Sandstrom graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a human resources management concentration.
Dr. Patrick Zhao (he/him)
MD – Psychiatrist and Medical Director
Sandstrom joined Pride in May 2015. Before her arrival, she served in several HR roles in various industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, commercial real estate, property management, and construction. Sandstrom graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a human resources management concentration.
Find Professional LGBTQ+ Addiction and Mental Health Treatment at Pride Institute
The Pride Institute staff of treatment professionals can help you break the cycle of addiction and address your mental health. Reach out today at 888.408.1625 or via our online form.
