2021 40 Under 40: Wendy Buttacy

Wendy Buttacy, 37, is in the business of rewriting the script. As chief learning officer at Adult & Teen Challenge USA, she creates, publishes and distributes curriculum to assist program participants in addiction recovery.

“We’re seeing improvements in ATC program residents’ ability to build healthy intimacy, manage grief, break addictive cycles, engage in ongoing community support and transition successfully into life outside of a program,” she says.

Buttacy is working on updating ATC’s resources, many of which were published in the 1970s. Since joining the organization, she has written 12 books, launched an online learning management system for training staff and established a partnership with Evangel University to institute tuition discounts for ATC graduates and staff.

First job? Delivering newspapers for the Times Press in Illinois. My news career was short-lived as northern winters made paper deliveries a “blast.”

Proudest moment? Watching my kids grow up to become thoughtful and caring little leaders.

What about your job would shock people? We get to publish materials that are being used across the globe to fight addiction.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? People are not blessed by your perfection. They’re blessed by the power of your true story.

Theme song? “Banana Pancakes,” by Jack Johnson.