Experienced Leadership. Shared Purpose.
About Our Leadership
Ignitus Recovery is led by professionals with extensive experience across behavioral healthcare, organizational development, finance, operations, marketing, admissions, human resources, treatment, and recovery systems.
Steve Millette, LMHC, MS
Chief Executive Officer
Steve brings more than 30 years of leadership in behavioral health and addiction treatment. His career includes leadership across academic, nonprofit, and private treatment organizations, including serving as Executive Director of CeDAR at the University of Colorado Hospital. His work has focused on building integrated systems of care that combine clinical excellence with innovation and long-term recovery support.
Emily Sisa, PMHNP, FNP
Medical Director
Emily Sisa, is a dual board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner serving as Medical Director, where she leads integrative, trauma-informed behavioral health care. With a clinical foundation in emergency medicine and advanced training from George Washington University, Emily specializes in treating complex and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Her experience spans acute care, global health initiatives, and innovative outpatient models, including emerging modalities such as psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Emily is committed to whole-person healing, combining medical and psychiatric expertise to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care that improves outcomes and expands access to high-quality behavioral health services.
Emily Schrader, LPC, LAC, ACS
Clinical Quality & Compliance Consultant
Emily Schrader serves as a Clinical Quality & Compliance Consultant, bringing comprehensive experience in behavioral health clinical operations, regulatory compliance, Medicaid, and quality improvement. She works with organizational leaders and clinical teams to strengthen documentation practices, clinical systems, staff development, and regulatory readiness. Emily’s approach focuses on translating complex clinical, regulatory, and payer requirements into practical systems that support high-quality, sustainable behavioral health services.
Deb Smith
Chief Financial Officer
Deb brings more than 30 years of financial leadership, operational management, and strategic consulting experience to Ignitus Recovery. A former Deloitte Tax Partner and leader of the Denver Tax Practice, she has also served as CFO for startup ventures, developing the financial infrastructure, compliance systems, budgeting, and performance management necessary to support responsible organizational growth.
Gina de Peralta Thorne, MS
Chief Marketing Officer
Gina brings more than 30 years of behavioral health leadership spanning prevention, treatment, and recovery systems. She specializes in marketing strategy, outreach development, referral ecosystems, admissions alignment, and alumni engagement. Her work focuses on connecting organizational growth with mission, ethical marketing, and meaningful long-term relationships.
Rowan Hill
Human Resources Manager
Rowan brings more than eight years of HR leadership experience across behavioral health and other high-growth care environments. His experience includes HR infrastructure, workforce planning, onboarding, employee engagement, leadership development, organizational design, and employee relations, complemented by direct experience working in behavioral health.
Claire Hamrick
Admissions Manager
Claire brings more than seven years of behavioral health admissions experience and more than 15 years of customer-service leadership to Ignitus Recovery. Her background encompasses admissions and intake leadership, healthcare operations, organizational development, process improvement, insurance verification, client communication, and team development.
Shelby Anderson
Executive Chef
Shelby Anderson brings more than a decade of culinary leadership and hospitality experience to Cherry Hills Recovery, where she serves as Executive Chef. With a passion for creating nutritious, flavorful meals that support healing, Shelby plays an integral role in the clinical treatment experience by helping clients develop a healthier relationship with food and wellness.
Prior to joining Cherry Hills Recovery, Shelby served as Executive Chef at EDCare, one of the nation’s leading eating disorder treatment centers. There, she worked closely with registered dietitians to develop nutritionally balanced menus tailored to each client’s unique needs. She also led therapeutic baking groups and individual cooking sessions, helping patients build confidence in the kitchen while reducing anxiety surrounding food and meal preparation.
At Cherry Hills Recovery, Shelby’s approach extends beyond preparing exceptional meals. She views nutrition as an essential component of recovery and collaborates with the clinical team to support women as they restore both their physical and emotional well-being. Through chef-prepared meals, nutrition education, and hands-on cooking experiences, Shelby empowers clients with practical skills and healthy habits they can carry home long after treatment.
A graduate of The Art Institute of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management, Shelby is recognized for her culinary creativity, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Her experience in behavioral healthcare, combined with her passion for nourishing others, makes her an invaluable member of the Cherry Hills Recovery team and an important part of each woman’s healing journey.