Meet
Our Staff
Clay Cross
Clay Cross
CEO, Owner
Clay attended Ascend Recovery in 2012 after struggling for years with alcohol and drug abuse issues. He spent most of his early time at Ascend fighting back against the support that was being offered until he finally realized some changes had to be made. Through Ascend, Clay could grow and build a foundation that would be critical to his continued sobriety and, more importantly, his long-term recovery. After leaving Ascend, Clay continued to be involved in the Alumni program and weekly process groups until eventually joining Ascend as a staff member.For the last decade, Clay has been involved in Ascend in one form or another. Whether as a staff member, attending alumni events, or playing sober softball with Ascend. Clay has worked at all three levels of care and found a passion for helping each person who has stepped foot through the doors of Ascend. Recently, Clay served as the Sober Living Director before stepping into the role of Program Director. His continued passion for helping people has led him to become the new owner of Ascend Recovery. This unique opportunity allows us to keep the program in the hands of someone who deeply cares for Ascend and wants to make sure it stands the test of time.
Clay’s life revolves around Ascend and is a direct result of the care that was given to him. His wife is also an alumna of Ascend, and they have an amazing son that they love raising together. When not working, Clay can be found spending time with his family, playing softball with friends in recovery, or yelling at the TV while watching his beloved Eagles.
Bogie Bowles, LCSW
Bogie Bowles, LCSW
Clinical Director
Bogie graduated in 2015 from the University of North Carolina with a Masters of Social Work. A former professional musician, Bogie expanded his perspective of the connection between mental health and addiction while working at the psychiatric unit at Duke Hospital. Following his time at Duke, he then worked with a large addiction treatment facility using his unique musical background to co-create a program specifically designed to treat music industry professionals. Bogie is the newest on our team and is seeking to further his experience in treating co-occurring disorders, and to continue pursuing his passion for music and service. Additionally, he co-wrote a curriculum for an Extended Care Program focusing on the challenges of recovery in everyday life. Bogie has been with Ascend since 2018.
Bogie entered his own recovery from addiction at the age of eighteen. He has toured and recorded with various artist for over twenty years. In his personal life, he continues to play and record music, enjoys being in nature, engages in the recovery community, and practices meditation.
Susie Wiet, MD
Susie Wiet, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Wiet is an integrative developmental psychiatrist with expertise in holistic treatment of trauma-addiction, dual diagnosis, and complex psychiatric disorders. She synthesizes functional medicine principles, honed therapeutic skills (trauma-informed, psychodynamic and EMDR trained), and allopathic medical training to provide comprehensive treatment for optimal healing and conservative use of medication.
Working with diversity of patients and colleagues, some highlights across her career include: Trauma-Resiliency Collaborative (TRC, founder and chair), author of the Health-Resiliency Stress Questionnaire (HRSQ), Psychiatric Consultant (Clinics of Utah, Dept. of Health: Primary Care Integration Project), sequential Medical Directorships (University of Utah and community mental health organizations), Course Director of Adolescent Addiction (U of U), and educator/presenter on trauma-resiliency and adolescent addiction (locally, regionally, and nationally).
Dr. Wiet is Adjunct Volunteer Faculty (Assistant Professor) at the University of Utah (Dept. of Psychiatry) and partakes active roles on community-based committees. She is an active board member of the Alumni Board School of Medicine (U of U) and the Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA). She has received many awards for teaching, service, initiative, advocacy and excellence of care. She graduated from Northwestern University Medical School and trained at the U of U in General Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry (fellowship). She holds three American Medical Board certifications: General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. She is a member of several professional organizations, most recently Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Wiet has been with Ascend since 2016.
Cameron Cann
Cameron Cann
Director of Admissions & Business Development
Cameron, a Virginia native, developed a love for the outdoors, which later drew him to Utah. In his early 20s, he sought treatment for addiction and returned to complete his BA in Finance at Wofford College. After graduation, Cameron moved to Colorado to pursue a career in finance while continuing his recovery. Despite securing a job at a financial firm, his substance use worsened, leading to a personal crisis. Facing the loss of his job due to opiate dependency, he entered an long-term treatment program in April 2016. Spending 11 months in a structured therapeutic environment fundamentally reshaped Cameron’s perspective on sobriety and recovery. The program provided the support and structure he needed to rebuild his life and embrace a path of long-term recovery.
Inspired by his own journey, Cameron transitioned into a career in substance abuse treatment, where he has held key roles in operations, admissions, and marketing for the last 7 years. His passion lies in guiding families and individuals through the complexities of the treatment process. In his personal life, Cameron enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two dogs in the Wasatch Mountains. An avid skier, mountain biker, and live music enthusiast, he continues to embrace the outdoors as an essential part of his well-being.
Bobby Shaw
Bobby Shaw
Director of Operations
Bobby started with Ascend in September 2016 after gaining two years of prior experience inside the addiction recovery community. As Residential Director, Bobby assists the transition of clients from inpatient care to dealing with the real-world problems of early recovery. Bobby teaches through practice and example, demonstrating skills like how to effectively follow a schedule, keep a budget, and enter the work force clean and sober. Being in recovery since 2014, Bobby brings personal experience and empathy, never asking the clients to do what she hasn’t done herself. Since 2014, her passion remains helping other addicts like herself. A mother of three children, Bobby loves to camp, boat, and be with her children. With her children, in her own life, and with our clients, Bobby’s passion is to be the helping hand in the process of finding confidence, strength, and motivation.
Brooke Etherington, PA
Brooke Etherington, PA
Medical Team
Before Brooke joined the Ascend team, she received her Master of Physician Assistance Studies degree from the University of Utah in 2007. She brings a variety of experience to Ascend from her work in family practices and urgent care facilities. Brooke’s knowledge in other fields helps the staff to recognize medical issues and how they may contribute to an individual’s addiction.
Brooke decided to join Ascend because she appreciates knowing that the patients to whom she prescribes receive the proper therapy during their stay with Ascend. She was also impressed by how the treatment and therapy is customized to each individual. In addition to the treatment and therapy, she was impressed by the other programs and focus areas offered to clients, such as: Nutrition, Fitness and Recreation, Family Involvement, and the Aftercare program.
Sam Bennion, LCSW, CTT-III
Sam Bennion, LCSW
Therapist
Sam has been a valuable member of the Ascend team since 2012. His journey at Ascend began in the programming side of addiction care, which provided him with a solid foundation for his later role as a therapist. As a Residential Director, Sam played a key role in developing and implementing programming that equipped clients with essential life skills such as resume building, job interview preparation, budget management, and community engagement. Sam's focus on executive functioning and his previous experience as an administrator for an international pharmaceutical company have given him a unique perspective on the practical application of these skills in everyday life.
Sam's approach to therapy is characterized by his personal understanding, compassion, and firsthand experience in addiction recovery. He is a firm believer in the power of analogy and uses his love for gardening to illustrate the process of growth and development in life. As a trauma-trained therapist, Sam helps guide individuals through the complexities of healing and recovery.
Sam's passion and joy come from being a dad. Being a father to a neurodiverse child has profoundly influenced his therapeutic practice and instilled in him a deep sense of empathy and advocacy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Utah Valley University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Utah.
Chelsey Danielle Smith, CSW
Chelsey Danielle Smith, CSW
Primary Therapist
Chelsey earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. Before entering the field, she spent years in private banking — with firms including JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Schwab — and, earlier still, studied architecture at Wellesley and MIT. That winding path continues to shape how she works: with structure, curiosity, and a belief that every person's patterns make sense once you understand where they've been.
Chelsey has a passion for helping clients navigate trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges through a trauma-informed, attachment-based lens. As a therapist in recovery herself, she brings both clinical training and lived experience to her work, connecting with many clients through that shared understanding. She is trained in EMDR and certified in Seeking Safety, and integrates CBT and DBT within her trauma-informed approach.
Chelsey is a firm believer in what animals can teach us about healing. She leads Ascend's equine-facilitated programming in partnership with Courage Reins, drawing on the co-regulation and parallel process that happen between horses and humans — a language often clearer than words. That same belief in the human-animal bond shows up at home too, with her own animals: Otis, Olivia, Atticus, and Louis.
Ashley Lingwall, LCSW
Ashley Lingwall – LCSW
Group Specialists, Trauma
After getting her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah in 2018, Ashley Lingwall began working in the substance use disorder field after her own personal struggle with addiction and has been working with Ascend since 2012. Ashley was the Resident Manager of Ascend’s sober living facility for its first five years. She is passionate about working with others and has a gift for creating safe and impactful group experiences for clients. In addition to her efforts at Ascend, she has worked vigorously to educate the public about the current opioid epidemic, as well as the life-saving treatments that are available. Ashley has been with Ascend since 2012.
Mandy Doherty, CSW
Mandy Doherty, CSW
Primary Therapist
Mandy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy, and from Chamberlain University in 2023 with a Master of Social Work. Her professional career has included work as a licensed, certified recreation therapist at a residential treatment center for neurodiverse adolescents, and as a certified social worker with adolescents at Primary Children's Behavioral Health Hospital. In the winter, Mandy volunteers with Wasatch Adaptive Sports.
Mandy is a collaborative and compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with empathy, understanding, and support. She strives to create a safe, client-centered space where growth and healing can flourish.
Mandy's therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based practices, including Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques. She is committed to tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs, fostering resilience and self-empowerment.
Outside the therapy room, Mandy enjoys trail running, ski mountaineering, camping, mountain biking, baking, and unwinding with a good book or documentary.
Ryan Flanagan
Ryan Flanagan
Clinical Intern
Ryan is a dedicated advocate for those overcoming addiction and a passionate promoter of a life in recovery. Growing up across diverse locations — San Francisco, Atlanta, Colorado, and the Bahamas — Ryan developed a deep appreciation for both cultural diversity and the outdoors. His early love for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing shaped his connection to nature and fueled a lifelong commitment to outdoor adventure.
After earning a degree in graphic design and photography from High Point University, Ryan moved to Frisco, Colorado, where he worked at a ski and bike shop, thriving in a vibrant, active community. However, his journey took a difficult turn when he faced challenges with alcoholism. In 2021, Ryan sought help and began his path to recovery through Ascend Recovery, where he learned the tools and strategies that would help him turn his life around.
Inspired by his own transformative experience, Ryan is now pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Denver and serves as Ascend's clinical intern. He is deeply committed to helping others find hope and healing through recovery, using his personal journey and professional education to make a positive impact in the lives of those struggling with mental health and addiction.
Mike Watson
Mike Watson
Residential Director - Phase Onw
Mike is a dedicated professional who has been part of Ascend Recovery since 2019. Having personally navigated the journey of recovery after attending rehab in 2012, he brings deep empathy and insight to his work, helping others find their path to healing.
Before entering the recovery field, Mike built a successful career in sales, honing his skills in communication and relationship-building—abilities that now enhance his work in addiction treatment. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah Valley University.
Passionate about the outdoors, Mike finds balance through activities such as fishing, hiking, snowboarding, camping, and hunting—enjoyments that inspire his commitment to a vibrant, sober lifestyle. A devoted family man, he is a proud father to his son and three stepchildren, bringing the same care and dedication to both his family and his mission to guide others toward lasting recovery.
Alix Andersen
Alix Andersen
Compliance Director
Alix (he/they) first joined Ascend Recovery in 2020 after years in finance and customer service. He made the leap to addiction recovery after his own significant mental health challenges helped him realize everyone has their own journey to muddle through. In turn, his passion became sharing what he has learned with Ascend's clients and offering support through their time at Ascend. One of his favorite things is getting to know clients and watching them grow and flourish in their own unique ways through the power of connection, self-discovery, and authenticity. Alix is a Utah native whose hobbies are astronomy, playing video & board games, reading & writing, and spending time with his dog.
Shianne Frakes
Shianne Frakes
Residential Director - Phase Two
Shianne has worked with Ascend Recovery and in the world of addiction for years. Her favorite part of the job is witnessing the journey of change and growth each client undertakes. As Patient Care Coordinator at Transitional House, Shianne helps model and teach budgeting, goal setting, personal nutrition, and other essential life skills during the formative months of early recovery. Using her previous work experience as a hiring manager, Shianne helps coach clients on interview skills and resume building. Like any other skill, finding the right opportunity in early recovery takes practice and preparation. Shianne helps clients bridge the gap between early recovery and new commitments. Shianne is the mother of three boys and in her spare time loves to camp and connect with the great outdoors.
Nick Cammarata
Nick Cammarata
Residential Director - Phase Three
After getting sober in Los Angeles in 2019, Nick dedicated his early recovery to working in the treatment field. He then spent four years traveling the globe as a guide for Backroads, the world’s leading active travel company. Now settled in Utah with his fiancée, Nick has returned to his roots in service at Ascend. He is a passionate outdoorsman and jiu-jitsu practitioner dedicated to helping others find their path.
Amy Dean
Amy Dean
Alumni Director
Amy attended Ascend Recovery in 2021 after nearly a decade in active addiction while trying numerous detoxes and rehabs. Originally from Southern California, Amy found herself a home at Ascend and in the recovery community of Salt Lake City. She attended weekly process groups and was involved in the alumni program for 4 years before joining Ascend as the Alumni Director in 2025. Her passion for long term recovery, community, and genuine connection has led her to what she calls her dream job. She enjoys forming relationships with clients from the beginning of their stay to staying in touch far after they leave. You can find Amy laughing far too loud in groups, walking her dog to get an expensive coffee and pup cup, or at a thrift store looking for a DIY project she won’t finish.
Marysa Cardwell, MS, RDN, CPT, CD
Marysa Cardwell, MS, RDN, CPT, CD
Nutritionist
Kayla Mcknight
Kayla Mcknight
Head of Culinary Services
Hannalore Nign
Hannalore Nign
Executive Functioning Specialist
Hannelore serves as Ascend Recovery's Executive Functioning Specialist, supporting clients in rebuilding the day-to-day skills that make long-term recovery possible. Her work centers on the practical side of healing, helping clients plan and follow through, manage time, regulate emotions under pressure, stay organized, and meet the steady demands of residential care and life beyond it.
Nearing a decade of involvement in the substance abuse field, and a longstanding personal connection to Ascend, Hana understands that recovery isn't only what happens in the clinical work, but how someone shows up every hour of the day.
Vicky Anderl
Vicky Anderl
Creative Arts Facilitator
Vicky has lived a life of art. Attending both BYU and USU, she has a teaching degree and an Art Endorsement through the State of Utah. Vicky has taught art in high schools, middle schools and privately for 20 years. Her favorite mediums are pen, pencil and watercolor. She is expanding work in 3-dimensional “woodsy walls” – bringing a little of the outside in. Vicky has a deep passion for working with people through art and helping people discover (or rediscover) the joy of the creative process.
Vicky has a love of the outdoors, horses, dogs and running/hiking mountain and sandy trails. Vicky is married with five adult kids, and a granddaughter. Other interests include: pickleball, paddle boarding, skiing, gardening, traveling and going to lunch. Vicky is always up for an adventure.
Kayla Fish
Kayla Fish
Resident Manager
Kayla Fish has been a dedicated member of the Ascend team for the past two years, serving in several roles that have strengthened her understanding of client care and organizational support.
Kayla's passion for the recovery community is deeply personal. As a family member of someone who struggled with addiction, she has witnessed firsthand both the challenges of substance use and the hope that recovery can bring. This lived experience fuels her compassion, empathy, and commitment to supporting individuals and families on their recovery journeys.
Randi Rushton
Randi Rushton
Patient Care Coordinator
Randi is a compassionate and dedicated member of the Ascend Recovery team whose commitment to recovery is shaped by personal experience. After years of supporting her brother through his struggles, and experiencing his loss in 2025, she came to understand addiction from the other side — as a loved one who has lived through its heartbreak and lasting impact. That experience continues to fuel her passion for helping others find hope, healing, and a path forward. Randi is also a proud mom of three. She values the opportunity to connect with the recovery community and support others on their journey.
During her two years at Ascend Recovery — first as a tech, now as a patient care coordinator — Randi has remained committed to walking alongside those who are struggling, helping coordinate care, reduce barriers, and connect patients with the support they need. Through strong communication, consistent follow-through, and a focus on keeping patients engaged in care, she strives to make a meaningful difference in treatment retention, recovery outcomes, and overall patient support.
Randi believes every person deserves to be seen, heard, and believed in. Her work is guided by a desire to help create a safe, supportive environment where people can discover their strength, embrace change, and realize they are never alone in their recovery.
Charlie Delisi
Charlie Delisi
Controller
Charlie, a Tennessee native, struggled with opiate dependency in his early 20s. In 2018, he traveled to Utah for treatment, beginning what became a year-long journey of transformation. During that time, he built lasting friendships, connected with mentors in recovery, and discovered a new way of living.
Choosing to remain in Utah, Charlie worked in addiction treatment for four years as a technician, outdoor guide, and case manager while earning his accounting degree. These experiences deepened his appreciation for recovery and confirmed his passion for helping others. After graduation, he launched his career in public accounting, where he gained valuable professional experience and developed his financial skills.
Over time, Charlie realized he missed the sense of purpose he had found in treatment. He chose to return to the field by joining Ascend Recovery, where he combines his accounting expertise with his commitment to recovery. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with friends and family in the Utah outdoors.