About Us
Meet Our Team
Hero Haven was established in 2020 to provide an outlet for emergency personnel to offload their mental burdens in a confidential setting and begin the walk of healing. The organization was founded by a wife and mother of volunteer fire fighters, a registered nurse who was badly burned in a house explosion at age 10 and is now a trained peer supporter,
and a fire fighter who was saved from suicide and is now a trauma mentor for other first responders. They wanted to fill a need among volunteer departments that don’t typically provide mental health support resources.
Co-Founder
Mary Sandry
Mary Sandry is a seasoned Life Coach with a profound connection to the firefighting
community, proudly standing by her husband and son who serve as firefighters. With
decades of experience working alongside emergency responders in many different
capacities, she possesses an intimate understanding of the unique dynamics and
challenges within their families. As a co-founder and the director of Hero Haven, Mary
passionately facilitates retreat programs, offering support and guidance to those who
dedicate their lives to keeping others safe.
Co-Founder
Danette Haag
Danette Haag is a Registered Nurse, Inspirational Speaker, and burn survivor. Her life
experiences have shaped her into a powerful advocate for resilience and healing, and
she has channeled her personal journey into becoming a Trauma Mentor and Mindset
Coach. Danette dedicates herself to teaching others how to rise above life’s scars.
She became the first severely scarred woman to win a prestigious state beauty pageant
title when she was crowned Mrs. Colorado 2021, challenging conventional beauty
standards and inspiring countless individuals. Beyond her speaking and coaching roles,
Danette is committed to creating spaces for healing and growth. She is a co-founder
and retreat program facilitator at Hero Haven.
Our Board
Darcie is a graduate studies professor for mental health students at the University of Northern Iowa, and owner of the Tenacity Institute in Cedar Falls. She is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Iowa with over twenty years of experience in mental health counseling, consulting and education. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and has extensive training in trauma, PTSD, and clinical interventions. Her sister was in the same house fire as Danette Haag and as a result, Darcie has always felt drawn to giving back to first responders.
Chet is a member of the Andover, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department and has been a volunteer fire fighter for 25 years. A chance meeting with Danette Haag at a high school reunion lead to conversations and mentoring that saved him from suicide. That encounter and his healing that followed inspired Mary and Danette to start Hero Haven. Chet is now a trauma mentor for other First Responders.
Darren recently retired from the Welton, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department after 30 years of service. He attended the first Hero Haven retreat in 2021 and it kick-started his healing journey. He is now a mentor to others and is passionate about getting Hero Haven to all who need it.
Kelly is a volunteer EMS and fire fighter. She is the widow of Eric Hosette, a fire fighter who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on January 5, 2019. He was 33 years old. At the time of his death, he was chief of the Charlotte, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department. Kelly is passionate about supporting other fire wives, as well as first responders dealing with the negative effects of cumulative trauma.