With over 20 years of experience as a paramedic serving both urban and rural North Dakota communities, Shani Reisnour has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on individuals, families, and first responders. After the tragic loss of her daughter, Mya, to fentanyl poisoning in 2022, Shani turned her pain into purpose by founding Mya’s Mission Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to overdose prevention, mental health education, and recovery support. Through her foundation, Shani leads initiatives that provide judgment-free Narcan access, treatment grants, and trauma-informed education throughout North Dakota. Her work has reached schools, universities, law enforcement, EMS agencies, and community organizations across the region; inspiring change through honesty, compassion, and connection. A centerpiece of Shani’s speaking work is her presentation, “The Face Behind the Call,” a powerful session developed specifically for first responders. Drawing from her decades of field experience, Shani opens candid conversations about compassion fatigue, stigma, and emotional resilience in emergency services. Her message helps responders reconnect with empathy and rediscover purpose in a profession that demands both courage and heart. In addition to her work with first responders, Shani presents “My Empty Chair,” a deeply personal and emotional presentation that honors Mya’s story and sheds light on the human side of the fentanyl crisis. She also speaks in high schools, middle schools, and even elementary classrooms, offering age-appropriate discussions on mental health, peer pressure, emotional awareness, and substance use prevention. Her approach engages students with real stories, compassion, and practical ways to seek help or support a friend in need. Shani leads Project 10-4, an initiative under Mya’s Mission Foundation that supports first responders and veterans living with PTSD, addiction, and trauma. Through this project, she advocates for peer support, mental health access, and the critical importance of community healing. Shani has become a recognized voice for harm reduction, post-overdose intervention, and family support in recovery, working alongside agencies such as public health departments, ODMAP, and numerous coalitions across the Midwest. Her authenticity and compassion resonate deeply with audiences, helping them see beyond statistics to the real human stories behind addiction and loss. When she speaks, Shani doesn’t just share her story, she gives others permission to share theirs. Her mission is simple yet profound: to replace judgment with understanding, fear with education, and grief with purpose.
