Introducing Lisa Smith
Lisa is a recovery advocate, writer, speaker, podcast host, and lawyer. Prior to beginning her more than 20-year legal administration career, Lisa practiced law in the Corporate Finance group of a leading international firm. She most recently served for more than five years as the Deputy Executive Director of a leading New York City firm.
Lisa is the author of Girl Walks Out of a Bar, her award-winning memoir of high-functioning addiction and recovery in the world of New York City corporate law. She also co-hosts the podcast, Recovery Rocks, an inclusive discussion of issues affecting people in all kinds of recovery.
Passionate about breaking the stigma of addiction and mental health issues, Lisa is a frequent speaker at law firms, law schools, bar associations, and other organizations. She serves on the Advisory Board of Law.com’s Minds Over Matters mental health reporting project. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Depression Project, which works to break the stigma around all mental health disorders and to provide peer support.
Lisa has appeared on TODAY and BBC World News discussing alcoholism and addiction. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Health, Refinery29, TheTemper.com, A Women’s Thing, and WorkitHealth.com, among others.
Lisa is a graduate of Northwestern University and Rutgers School of Law, where she served on the Editorial Board of the Rutgers Law Review.
About the Reaching New Heights Luncheon
The Women’s Center at Cumberland Heights provides a safe, home-like environment in women-only spaces with female staff. Funds raised at this event will provide patient assistance funding; renovations to the women’s residence; staff training and development; supplies, books and future projects. Visit www.cumberlandheights.org for more information or call 615.352.1757.
2024 Sheila Keeble Award Recipient
Honoring a Woman Who Has Made a Difference in the Recovery Community
Cumberland Heights is pleased to present the 2024 Sheila Keeble Award to Monica McDougall.
Monica McDougall has a heart for people in recovery. She is an Alabama native who has called Nashville home for over 30 years. For more than 20 of those years, Monica and her family have been devoted advocates for recovery and Cumberland Heights.
Monica has played a significant role in Reaching New Heights since the beginning. She helped to launch the first Reaching New Heights’ luncheon in 2011, when she served as Patron’s Chair. Monica served as Table Host Chair in 2013 and 2014 and as event Co-Chair in 2012 and 2018. Monica’s time, talent, and enthusiasm have helped to make this annual event the success it is today in raising awareness and support for recovery and the Women’s Program. Thanks to Monica and all our wonderful volunteers, Reaching New Heights has raised over a million dollars to help women struggling with addiction rebuild their lives at Cumberland Heights.
Before Reaching New Heights, Monica served as a volunteer for the Concert for Cumberland Heights, where she helped alongside her husband, long-time board member, Alec, when he co-chaired the event in 2006. Three years later, Monica served on the Concert Committee as the Pre-Party Co-Chair.
We’re grateful for the generous support of the entire McDougall family. In 2020, they created the McDougall Family Endowment Fund to provide annual scholarships to help patients in financial need access treatment. This endowment fund will continue to bring hope and healing for generations to come.
Most importantly, for a long time, Monica and her family have worked behind the scenes to help many individuals and families struggling with addiction find their way to treatment. Substance use disorder is a deadly disease. There’s no doubt their willingness to help others access care has saved lives. We’re grateful to Monica for her passion for recovery and dedication to Cumberland Heights!
Monica and Alec are parents to three children: Ellie, Wylie, and Rogers.