Day One Society Board Feature: Francesca Loehr

Behind every strong organization is a group of people who believe deeply in its purpose. For Day One Society, that includes Board members who bring not only professional expertise, but also heart, lived understanding, and a commitment to community. One of those voices is Francesca Loehr.

Loehr’s connection to Day One Society is rooted in a simple but powerful truth. Addiction touches far more lives than we often realize. Whether through personal experience, someone we love, or our broader communities, its impact is wide-reaching.

Photo: Francesca Loehr, Board Member

“What really drew me to Day One Society was the way it approaches addiction with humanity and heart,” shares Francesca Loehr, Board Member, Day One Society. “There’s a strong focus on separating the person from the addiction, and that message really matters.”

A storyteller at her core, Loehr’s career has always centred on connection. She began in radio, where listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing people’s stories with care was essential. Even from a young age, curiosity guided her, wanting to understand not just what people experienced but why.

“I believe stories are one of the most powerful ways we connect as humans,” she says.

Today, Loehr brings that same lens to her role as Culture & Engagement Manager at Acres Enterprises, where she focuses on building inclusive, connected, and inspired workplaces. Alongside her professional experience, she also brings the perspective of being a mom of three, raising strong kids while helping build strong teams and communities.

“That combination really shapes how I show up on the Board,” explains Loehr. “With curiosity, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of connection.”

For her, compassion-led recovery means seeing the whole person. It means recognizing that addiction does not define someone, and that recovery goes far beyond treatment alone.

“It’s about dignity, support, and feeling understood,” she reflects. “Compassion, understanding, and hope can change not only how people experience recovery, but how communities respond to it.”

She believes deeply in the role storytelling plays in that shift. The narratives we share, she says, can either reinforce stigma or open the door to empathy and understanding.

One moment that stood out to Loehr early on was a Day One Society video that captured this idea beautifully: that addiction and the person are not one and the same.

“It was a powerful reminder that compassion, understanding, and hope are essential parts of recovery,” she shares. “Being part of an organization that is actively working to shift that narrative is something I wanted to support.”

Outside of her Board role, Loehr finds grounding and inspiration in her family. Being present, living fully in the moment, and making a positive impact, no matter the space she is in, are values that guide her every day.

Her children each teach her something different. She learns resilience and commitment from her 12-year-old stepson, creativity and imagination from her 9-year-old stepdaughter, and joyful curiosity from her 3-year-old son.

“He reminds me how important it is not just to be alive, but to really live,” she shares.

Those everyday moments, spent being fully present with her children, are what keep Loehr grounded. Whether it is jumping at the trampoline park, playing in the mud, or seeing the world through her children’s eyes, she finds connection in the simple, joyful experiences that shape life.

Day One Society is grateful to have Loehr’s voice, compassion, and people-first perspective on the Board, helping guide an organization rooted in dignity, connection, and the belief that recovery is always possible.