Please join us in welcoming Courtney Pence, MSW, as the Director of Operations for Dove Recovery House: Columbus. Courtney brings a wealth of experience in substance use treatment, recovery housing, community advocacy, and systems change, along with a deep personal commitment to helping individuals and communities thrive.
Prior to joining Dove Recovery House, Courtney spent eight years with Centerstone of Indiana, where she served as Residential Manager, overseeing residential substance use treatment and recovery housing programs. Her leadership experience extends beyond direct service work. Courtney has served as Director of Communications and Development for the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI), Chair of the Brown County Recovery and Wellness Coalition, and a consultant with the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about strengthening recovery systems, advancing harm reduction efforts, and developing partnerships that create healthier, more connected communities.
Courtney recently earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Indiana University, with a concentration in macro social work, community organizing, and policy. Her professional background spans substance use treatment, recovery housing, harm reduction, recovery advocacy, and systems-level change. She has also completed specialized training in tele behavioral health and e-social work practice while contributing to statewide and national recovery initiatives through leadership, education, consultation, and advocacy.
What drew Courtney to Dove Recovery House was the opportunity to help build something meaningful from the ground up. As the Columbus location prepares to serve women in recovery, she sees the work as more than preparing a facility. For Courtney, it is about creating a home, assembling a strong team, and fostering a community where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal.
As Director of Operations, Courtney oversees many aspects of the Columbus program, including daily operations, staff recruitment and development, community partnerships, resource coordination, and ensuring the residence provides a safe and welcoming environment for women. She enjoys the variety that comes with the role and the opportunity to help shape the resident experience from the very beginning.
When asked about the impact she hopes to make, Courtney shared her desire for every woman who walks through Dove’s doors to experience a genuine sense of belonging and hope. She believes recovery can often feel isolating, and she wants residents to know they are worthy of love, support, and new beginnings. Her goal is to help women reconnect with themselves, their families, and their communities while building confidence in their ability to create a brighter future.
Dove Recovery House is especially meaningful to Courtney because recovery is personal. As a person in long-term recovery herself, she understands firsthand the power of healing, support, and community. She believes that having people who believe in you can change the trajectory of a life, and she sees Dove as a place that embodies hope, second chances, and transformation.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time in nature, watching birds, collecting pinecones, stacking rocks into cairns, and exploring Maine whenever she has the opportunity. She also enjoys thrifting and searching for unique vintage treasures, as well as spending quiet time with her family and pets. Courtney has been married to her husband, Jim, for more than 10 years and is a proud bonus mom to three amazing adult children.
One of Courtney’s favorite quotes is, “Remain curious, not judgmental.” It’s a philosophy she strives to live by, approaching both life and recovery work with compassion, curiosity, and a belief in the interconnectedness of people and communities.
We are thrilled to welcome Courtney to the Dove Recovery House team and look forward to the leadership, compassion, and experience she will bring to the women we serve in Columbus.
Welcome, Courtney!
