Susan Sanderson is the Executive Director of the Realistic Success Recovery Society. She holds an Honours B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology and worked in various roles within the labour movement, including Director of Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Liaison. She co-founded the Realistic Success Recovery Society with her late husband, Gary Robinson, serving as its President from 2007.  In 2013, following his untimely death, the Board appointed her as Executive Director. Her dedication to this field stems from her lived experience with her husband’s addiction, including their separation and reconciliation, which were influenced by her involvement with Nar-Anon.  Susan is a driving force behind effective and ethical programs, even in the face of government funding structures, policies, and service delivery models that often fail to meet the increasingly complex needs of the population. She has served on numerous provincial and municipal committees responsible for regulatory oversight in this sector. In 2019, her advocacy efforts led to the first funding increase in a decade—a modest 16%. Susan continued her efforts by mobilizing the recovery sector to write letters to the NDP provincial government. These actions proved successful once again, resulting in a significant financial increase in 2024. It is this passion, tenacity and resourcefulness that Susan contributes to the BCARA board.