Danielle Bonanno

Danielle Bonanno (she/they) is the Executive Director of Inclusive Recovery Athens. She has been an advocate for various oppressed and stigmatized populations, including those with substance use disorders, LGBTQIA2S+, homeless and low-income individuals, and those with complex traumas. Danielle’s life’s work revolves around bridging the gap between the queer and recovery communities, educating addiction professionals on how to serve LGBTQIA2S+ populations in a trauma-informed and culturally-affirming way.

Beyond her primary role, Danielle holds significant positions in organizations at the forefront of LGBTQ+ advocacy and business. As the Vice-President of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance and a board member of Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia, she extends her impact. Her tenure as President (2021-2024) of Athens Pride and Queer Collective further cements her leadership, notably through initiatives like the Athens Pride and Queer Collective Trans Surgery Scholarship Program, which under her guidance, has provided multiple full scholarships for gender-affirming surgeries since its inception in 2022.

Danielle’s leadership and advocacy have not gone unnoticed. Recognized as one of the top 10 leaders under 40 in Athens-Clarke County by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce in 2022, and hailed as one of the six LGBTQ leaders globally to watch by the Georgia Voice, her accolades reflect her impactful contributions. In 2023, she was honored with the Community Leader of the Year award from OUT Georgia Business Alliance and served as a Grand Marshal for the Atlanta Pride Parade, underscoring her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community.

Away from her professional pursuits, Danielle cherishes writing and spending time with her canine companions, Blueberry and Hershey. Her commitment to inclusivity, advocacy, and leadership continues to drive transformation and promote well-being among marginalized communities.