About foundations to freedom

Danielle Downer, Esq. has served as General Counsel for Foundations to Freedom, Inc. since its founding, providing legal guidance and support to advance the organization’s mission of saving lives through recovery services and support. A member of the Florida Bar since 2013, she brings extensive experience as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, with expertise in negotiation, policy development, and risk management. Danielle’s ample experience in law, mediation, and advocacy fuels her dedication to advancing Foundations’ mission, ensuring the organization not only operates effectively and compliantly but also maximizes its impact in helping individuals achieve lasting recovery.

More information coming soon!

Rajni Shankar-Brown, PhD, MBA, M-MA, MA, is an internationally renowned, community-engaged Professor and the Jessie Ball DuPont Distinguished Chair of Social Justice Education at Stetson University, as well as the recipient of Stetson’s most prestigious awards — the McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Hand Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievement, and the Outstanding Advisor Award. She is grateful to continue serving on the Board of Foundations to Freedom and help advance its critical mission. Dr. Shankar-Brown is also the Past-President of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) Board, making history as the first woman of color to be elected in this role and having served two consecutive terms; she is now the NCH Equity and Education Chair. She is also the Founder and the Executive Director of the Institute for Catalyzing Equity, Justice, and Social Change (I-CEJSC), a steering member of the National Environmental Justice Institute (NEJI), the Co-Chair of Equity and Justice for the International Society for Teacher Education and Information Technology, the Director of the Acts of Kindness and Justice Movement, and a faculty member for the International Society of Experiential Education Academy. Dr. Shankar-Brown has worked in a variety of transformative leadership and public policy roles with communities, organizations, government agencies (federal, state, and local levels), corporations, PreK-12 schools, and institutions of higher education in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the United States and around the world. She is also a trauma-informed and healing coach and a long-standing partner of the United Nations. Dr. Shankar-Brown has presented and delivered keynotes around the globe, and written education articles, book chapters, and creative works in leading academic sources. She has published an education and advocacy book series, including Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Equity-Focused Practices for Educational Leaders and Re-Envisioning Education: Affirming Diversity and Advancing Justice. She is also an award-winning artist and internationally ranked spoken word artist. Her collection of poetry, Tuluminous, has received global recognition and is a widely celebrated example of her artivism (art and activism). In addition, Dr. Shankar-Brown is a dedicated amma (mom) who loves sunflowers and masala chai.

Michael Griggs brings over 10 years of personal recovery and treatment professional experience to the Foundations To Freedom Board. Much of this experience includes managing operations for FARR-accredited housing programs and serving the residents within them. As a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator, Certified Addiction Counselor, and Community Outreach Coordinator, Mr. Griggs provides an invaluable perspective and support to the board and the organization at large.

A concurrent Board Member of Volusia Recovery Alliance, resident of Volusia County, and family man, Michael is committed to the well-being of the community and strives to make a positive impact on everyone he encounters.

Regina Hix is a woman in long-term recovery, with 17 years of sobriety. Her journey has not been easy, but it has been one of transformation, healing, and grace. Through God’s help and the support of recovery, she has transitioned from a life of chaos and hopelessness to one of purpose and clear goals. Today, Regina is honored to serve as a board member at Foundations to Freedom, where she helps men, women, and families rebuild their lives. Having experienced recovery firsthand, she knows it is possible and is deeply passionate about giving back what was so freely given to her.

Aléa Figueroa is a Film Festival Director and Emmy Award-winning producer leading creative and strategic initiatives for And You Films and the Spooky Empire Film Festival. She produced the Emmy-nominated documentary Remembering Innsbruck: The Story of the 1979 Avalanche for Stetson University to support the restoration of Hulley Tower—a campaign that led to a successful groundbreaking in February 2025.

A proud SAG-AFTRA and AEA member, Aléa began her career as an actor and later earned notable credits in Cobra Kai, Magic Mike’s Last Dance, and The Right Stuff. Her work in front of the camera naturally evolved into producing and marketing, where she discovered her passion for shaping meaningful stories from concept to completion. In 2024, she founded Reel Dreams And You, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting aspiring, underrepresented filmmakers through mentorship, hands-on workshops, and youth film camps.

Aléa also serves on the Board of Directors for Ivy Hawn Charter School of the Arts, is one of the Founding Charis for DeLand’s Got Talent, and is a proud member of both the Krewe of Amalee and the DeLand Breakfast Rotary.

Now serving on the Board of Foundations to Freedom, Aléa is honored to contribute her marketing expertise to help expand awareness, strengthen community engagement, and further the organization’s mission of empowering individuals to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.