Stephanie L Smith
Founder and President
Her story is rooted in lived experience, deep loss, and unwavering faith. Years of addiction, trauma, silence, grief, and physical, mental, and emotional hardship gently converged in the sudden passing of her best friend, Brad Barrs — whom she loved for more than a decade — becoming the moment her grief began to transform into purpose and inspiring the creation of Breaking Barrs, a ministry devoted to restoration, recovery, and hope.
Stephanie is a full-time college student, mother, author, and longtime entrepreneur. With more than 20 years of experience as a business consultant, she brings strategic leadership, operational insight, and sustainability-focused vision to nonprofit work. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society recognizing academic excellence among college students, and is pursuing advanced education in psychology, behavioral health, and human services.
She is the author of Road to Renewal, a faith-based recovery and healing workbook designed to guide individuals through grief, addiction recovery, emotional restoration, and personal transformation. She is also the architect of multiple peer-led recovery and behavioral support programs, including innovative curriculum addressing addiction, trauma, compulsive behaviors, emotional regulation, and life rebuilding — many of which are being developed for use in justice, probation, and reentry systems.
Stephanie’s leadership is rooted in faith, accountability, compassion, and connection. She believes deeply that people are not defined by their worst moments, but by their capacity for healing, growth, and transformation. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Through Breaking Barrs, Stephanie continues to advocate for recovery, emotional healing, family restoration, and second chances — helping individuals move from survival into stability, and from pain into lasting purpose.