About Choosing Hope
No one should have to face addiction alone.
At Choosing Hope, we support families impacted by addiction through community, education, and access to treatment. Our mission is to break the isolation, confusion, and stigma that surround substance use disorder—and replace them with connection, clarity, and hope.
Our Story
Choosing Hope was born out of lived experience. Our founder, Lisa Poggi, spent years navigating the broken addiction treatment system while trying to get help for her own children. After countless treatment attempts, insurance denials, and overwhelming grief and fear, she knew something had to change—not just for her family, but for others walking the same path.
As a filmmaker and storyteller, Lisa began documenting these systemic failures—and the extraordinary strength of families fighting for recovery. That work became Denied: a feature documentary exploring the real barriers to accessing addiction treatment in the United States.
But Choosing Hope is more than a film. It’s a movement to empower families with the tools, support, and voice they need to find their way through crisis—and into healing.
What We Do
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Create powerful media that exposes systemic failures and elevates family voices
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Fund need-based treatment scholarships for families with no other path to care
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Build community through outreach, events, and shared storytelling
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Provide free educational resources about addiction, treatment options, and navigating insurance
Why It Matters
They say addiction is a family disease—but families are often left out of the conversation, and out of the solution. Choosing Hope believes that when we support the family, we support recovery for everyone.
We’re here to listen. To speak out. To offer real help. And most of all—to remind you that you are not alone.
Board Members & Advisors
Director/Founder
Lisa Poggi
Lisa Poggi is an accomplished filmmaker, producer, and advocate dedicated to amplifying the voices of families impacted by addiction. With a background in narrative and documentary storytelling, she co-founded a production company and has worked on projects that explore resilience, healing, and human condition.
She is currently producing Denied, a documentary, while building a nonprofit to provide resources and community support for families supporting loved ones through addiction. She brings both creative expertise and a deep personal commitment to reducing stigma and creating lasting change.
Director
Don Anderson
Don Anderson is an Emmy Award-winning editor and producer whose work has earned Cannes Lions and Clio Awards. As head of production for the company he co-founded with Lisa Poggi, he has produced and edited acclaimed projects including Brothers in Arms, and the upcoming documentary The Synanon Kids. He also produces Missing Pieces: NPE Life, a podcast ranked in the top 1% globally.
With over 40 years in recovery, Don brings both professional expertise and personal insight to his work. He is dedicated to Choosing Hope's mission, believing that supporting families creates lasting pathways to recover.
Director/Secretary
Tracy Thompson
Tracy Thompson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified Addiction Counselor with 15+ years experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and families in treatment centers, schools, and outpatient programs. Known for her deep compassion and clinical expertise, she is a strong advocate for comprehensive, client-centered care.
Having seen individuals transitioned to lower levels of care prematurely due to insurance limitations—often leading to relapse or worse—Tracy is dedicated to raising awareness about what effective addiction treatment should look like, and to challenging systemic barriers to effective addiction treatment.
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Director/Treasurer
Kaye Michaelson
Kaye Michaelson has 30+ years of experience working in finance including CFO of Quixote Studios for 14 years, 10 years at Universal Studios in strategy and financial management, and as CFO & VP Finance at NBC Universal.
She has been part of the recovery community for many years and is excited to be part of Choosing Hope, using her financial skills and experience to support its mission.
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Director
Ann Margaret
Asch
Ann Margaret Asch is a fashion executive specializing in licensing and product development, currently serving at Giorgio Armani out of Los Angeles and Milan. A graduate from The New School in NYC, she brings a refined aesthetic and a global perspective shaped by her extensive travels, which deepens her understanding of people from all walks of life.
Ann is honored to lend her expertise and passion to supporting parents navigating the challenges of a child's addiction.
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Director
Kelly
McCann-Miller
Kelly McCann-Miller is a seasoned project manager at Citadel CPM with years of experience in facilities management, relocation logistics, and lease negotiation. Throughout her career, Kelly has brought strategic precision to projects across education, aerospace, and federal sectors. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, from the University of Southern California blending her business acumen with hands-on experience.
Kelly is looking forward to working with this Board to bring light to the difficulties caused by limited access to treatment for people with addictions.
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Special Advisor
Laura Berger
Laura Berger is an estate planning attorney with over twenty years of experience guiding individuals, families, and nonprofits on formation, governance, and operational matters,. She helps organizations build strong foundations and achieve their missions with clarity and focus.
Outside her legal work, Laura enjoys yoga, painting, time in nature, spending time with family and friends, and deepening her spiritual practice.
Laura is deeply aligned with Choosing Hope’s mission and is committed to helping raise awareness and support for families affected by addiction.