Recovery Café Longmont names new director

LONGMONT — Recovery advocate and research scientist Dr. Waltrina DeFrantz-Dufor has been named executive director at Recovery Café Longmont.

She succeeds Beth Shipp, who has served as interim director for the past three months at the organization, which aids individuals in recovery from addiction, mental-health challenges and other life struggles. Shipp filled in after the departure of former pastor Jen Jepsen, who assumed the role on July 1, 2023, and stepped down at the end of 2025. Jepsen took over  from Lisa Searchinger, the founding director of the Longmont chapter of Recovery Café, who served since 2018.

DeFrantz-Dufor brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership to the organization. Most recently, she served as director of the Collegiate Recovery Program at the University of Denver’s Health and Wellness Counseling Center. Her career also includes roles as associate dean of students, interim dean of academic affairs, assistant professor and chair of a doctoral program in higher education.

At the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education and other institutions, she taught courses in program evaluation, strategic planning and organizational finance.

“I am excited to join the Recovery Café Longmont team as we enter a new phase of growth and impact on the community of Longmont and beyond,” DeFrantz-Dufor said in a prepared statement. “Leading this organization is an opportunity to help others find the courage and strength to create new, authentic lives of recovery without shame.”

She has held leadership roles with the Association for Recovery in Higher Education, the Colorado Black Health Coalition, FREE Recovery Community Center, and the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The campaign for Recovery Café Longmont’s future home at 801 Main St. has already secured $3.1 million toward its $5.5 million goal. Under DeFrantz-Dufor’s leadership, it will work to complete the campaign, oversee renovation of the new space, expand programs and strengthen community partnerships.

DeFrantz-Dufor holds a Ph.D. in higher education with a specialization in leadership from Indiana State University, a master’s degree in organizational management from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Pennsylvania State University.

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