This week we are excited to post a From the Riffle submission. Each month, Casting for Recovery will feature a guest blogger that will share information on who they are, their “home waters” where they fish, how they are connected to CfR and where they would like to see the organization in the next 25 years.

We recently connected with Faye Nelson, Casting for Recovery’s CEO. Read more as Faye discusses her “home waters”, and what CfR means to her.

I feel fortunate to have been born and raised near the confluence of some of the most magnificent trout streams in North America. The Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers converge to form the headwaters of the mighty Missouri River about 30 miles from Bozeman, MT. Lewis and Clark visited these headwaters in 1805. While I didn’t necessarily grow up fishing, they do make me feel at home as does the nearby Yellowstone River. I have now fished near or on most of them.

I began my journey with CfR in January 2020 as CEO. I see my role as setting a strategic course for the organization, being vigilant about the impact we are making in women’s lives, stewarding donors’ funds and intent, working with the board of trustees and managing the incredible staff of the national office. Recently I was able to volunteer on my first CfR retreat and am heading to my second one soon!

To me, Casting for Recovery means connecting women to the restorative power of nature and to the force that is women supporting women. That is why I am involved. One of CfR’s recent participants shared with us that in the 35 years since her first breast cancer diagnosis, she had never talked to another woman with breast cancer about breast cancer. Although CfR is not a clinical therapy program, I am a strong believer in the power of passive and organic ‘group therapy’ that comes from our retreat model.

In the next 25 years, I look forward to CfR diversifying its programming options for participants. Our core retreat model will always be our cornerstone but I look forward to working with our alumnae, volunteers and partners to explore other avenues of support while staying true to our mission. I also hope that someday CfR can serve every woman with breast cancer that applies for a CfR retreat.