ATN’s Board of Directors is sad to announce to passing of Drew Lacefield, a trauma-informed therapist, leader and businesswoman from Shawano, WI. Drew joined ATN’s Board of Directors in July 2020, bringing her background of counseling and leadership in local mental health, her previous experience of teaching in urban settings and her love for the culture and people of her Menominee Indian Tribe. Drew’s passion included weaving together the important components of cultural competency and relevance with trauma-informed interventions and trauma-responsive schools and parenting supports.
Drew, 47, was a mentor, inspiration, and friend to so many, devoting all of her life to helping others in the classroom and through therapy, and through devoted service to the Menominee Indian Tribe. She was a steadfast proponent of Cultural Pride and Identity. Through her work she positively altered the lives of many and her legacy will live on.
Drew leaves behind her husband, Jeremy, as well as two sons, a stepson, two stepdaughters, her parents, sister and other family members, as well as a community that deeply loved and admired her.
“Our Board Members describe Drew as a ‘rising star in the trauma-informed movement’,” says Julie Beem, ATN’s Executive Director. “We were so fortunate and excited to have her join our Board of Directors last summer. It’s hard to join a board during a pandemic and juggle all the other aspects of your work and life. But Drew enthusiastically volunteered of her time and her wisdom, sharing with us the importance of her Tribe’s cultural identity and including cultural awareness in helping people to build resilience and heal. We’re heartbroken that Drew is not going to be with us to work on many ideas that she proposed and contributed.”
ATN’s Board and Staff are donating to a memorial fund in Drew’s honor to keep moving ATN’s programs forward in a culturally competent and trauma-responsive way.
