
About Us
Safeguards is revolutionizing recovery through scientific aftercare.
Liz Rhodes, Founder, and David Rhodes, CEO, lost their son Bennett to fentanyl poisoning in 2019 and have made it their life's mission to prevent others from suffering a similar fate. David also serves and Chairman to Evergreen Fund, the sponsor of Safeguards and many innovative project companies innovating mental health and addiction solutions.
Our Goals
Prevent Fentanyl-Related Deaths
Educate Loved Ones and Community Members
Increase Survival Rates After Rehabilitation
Meet the Team

Founder
Liz Rhodes
A Visiting Research Associate at Kings College London, Department of Psychiatry, Neurology and Addiction conducting a study on fentanyl deaths post-detox, Liz is at the forefront of saving lives in the fentanyl epidemic. Having lost her son to a fentanyl poisoning in 2019, on relapse, one day after his release from a premiere treatment center. She now works in overdose prevention and serves on a panel with the DEA, Homeland Security, San Diego Team 10, the San Diego DA’s office, Department of Justice, and CA police teams. She also supports the work of Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc. Her background includes 30 years in creating and implementing innovative enterprise training. Recently Liz helped build 35 eLearning courses sold by the American Heart Association including how to administer Narcan. Her role is training, research, donor, client, and investor relations, speaking and community engagement. She works with many healthcare organizations in their Population Health efforts. Liz holds a BA in social science and graduate degree in organizational behavior/management and administration from Harvard University.

Director of Operations
Daniel Gibb
Having lost several close friends to the opioid/fentanyl epidemic, Daniel brings empathy and a strong personal passion for US Safeguards. He leads operations and brings expertise in client experience, graphic design and administration. He holds a degree from the LA Film School.

CEO
David Rhodes
David is a former bank CEO with global operating experience in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, The Americas, China, and The Asia Pacific Rim.
All totaled, he brings experience from 156 countries so far.
On December 1, 2019, David lost his 19-year-old son, Bennett, to a fentanyl poisoning. One
week before, Bennett’s girlfriend Andi also died from fentanyl. Their dealer was convicted on
two counts of second-degree murder. After a year of intense research, Safeguards launched evidenced-based solutions for the dangerous transition period after detox and treatment, when 59% relapse within the first two weeks. Sadly, like Bennett and Andi, more than half of those who relapse currently die. Opioid/fentanyl treatment in the US is failing at the rate of 91%. Every 4 and ½ minutes another Bennett or another Andi dies. As the CEO of Safeguards, David is using every skill and experience he has to help those most at risk from becoming another face on the wall in the DEA’s Faces of Fentanyl exhibit.
David has served on 21 not-for-profit and corporate boards including The Urban League, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) & Guardian ad Litem (GAL), and Student Agencies Foundation at Cornell University.
He earned his BA in Economics from The University of Rochester and his MBA from The
Johnson School at Cornell University.

Strategic Advisor
Ben Westhoff
Award-winning investigative reporter and accomplished author of books like "Fentanyl, Inc." Ben has become the go-to expert on the subject of fentanyl and new drugs, sought out for consultation by top government officials, including from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the U.S. State Department. He has had full dedicated episodes of NPR's Fresh Air and the Joe Rogan Experience.

Strategic Advisor
Sir John Strang MBBS, FRCPsych, FRCP, MD, F.Med.Sci.
Distinguished clinical academic with an illustrious career spanning four decades. Renowned for his pioneering research in addiction, he has collaborated extensively with governments to enhance responses to addiction-related issues.
Acknowledged as a "Highly Cited Author" by ISI (the Institute for Scientific Analysis) since 2000, Professor Strang's work is among the top tier of global publishing researchers. His influence extends through more than 500 publications, marking him as a leading figure. Head of the Addictions Department and Director of the National Addictions Centre since 1995, he currently serves as the Co-Deputy Lead for the Pain and Addictions Theme at the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre. His impactful contributions underscore his dedication to advancing addiction research and treatment.

Chief Learning Officer
Stephanie Findlay
Stephanie is an award-winning, executive level professional with over 25 years of expertise in the Learning, Leadership, and People Development space within a variety of global, service-related industries. She is a passionate and transformational leader with a solid track record of building and leading high-performing, profitable, engaged, well-respected, and ‘happy’ teams. Stephanie has an AA degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelors in Business Administration, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership, as well as several certifications. She is currently pursuing her Professional Coaching credentials with iPEC.

Head of Enterprise Sales - US Hospital Systems, Northwest
Kasey Stanchek
Kasey brings experience within the medical industry in various aspects, including device, pharmaceuticals, physician recruitment and revenue cycle management She is motivated to improve patient options and outcomes through personal experiences with family and friends. She holds a degree from the University of Washington and hopes to leverage her knowledge and experience to help both individuals and their loved ones to recover and thrive.

Enterprise Sales - Southeast Heath Systems
Keith Stallings
Keith Eric Stallings is a strategic and transformational leader, known for elevating the financial, operational, and competitive performance of organizations across healthcare, technology, and insurance sectors. From the south side of Chicago, Keith's journey is a narrative of identifying new markets, spearheading improvements, and forging high-impact partnerships, contributing significantly to business startups, growth, scalability, and transformation. His career is marked by a consistent presence among the top corporate contributors, and a knack for building, leading, and retaining high-performing teams dedicated to exceeding goals. With a skill set that includes strategic planning and execution, business development, jumbo accounts management, consulting, process improvement, large-scale negotiations, networking, research, and market analysis, Keith brings a comprehensive toolkit to drive success and innovation.

Enterprise Sales - Corporate, NFP, Health Systems
Mark Scott
For more than two decades, Mark has helped Fortune 1000 and not-for-profit healthcare/community organizations improve their operations, culture and bottom-line results via strategic human capital management solutions. These strategies have ranged from enterprise-wide learning management and SaaS-based learning content to small group training/coaching, solutions that have increased talent/leadership development, high potential/high performer programs, acquisition/retention initiatives, cultural development, among others. He chose to join Safeguards because of the enormous potential this more effective addiction recovery approach has for organizations to help not just their employees, but their communities. Mark and his wife Jodi live just outside Columbus, Ohio

Enterprise Sales - Health Insurance
Kato Sherman
Award winning account manager and sales executive specialized in building strong business relationships with key stakeholders and clients while turning around underperforming programs and departments. Able to analyze complex business issues and offer effective solutions. Strong health insurance background with Fortune 100s. In addition, I have many years of experience as a licensed Life & Health consultant/agent, presenter, motivational speaker, nutritionist, and personal trainer.

Academic Sales
John Jordan
John Jordan has spent most of his career in educational publishing, with stops at Pearson Education, Oxford University Press, and Wolters Kluwer. He spent over ten years in the Health Sciences sector, publishing medical interactives, adaptive assessments, and a fully functional educational electronic health record.

Enterprise Sales - Health Insurance
Mike Ward
Results-driven technology sales professional with a passion for healthcare innovation. He has over 20 years of experience in driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships primarily focused on large corporate healthcare systems, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

Rehabilitation Liaison - Senior Companion
Shaphan Tackett
Shaphan Tackett, based in Los Angeles, CA, has over fifteen years of caregiving and financial services experience. He excels in administering medications, providing personal care, and developing tailored care plans. His professional roles include Independent Caregiver, Financial Representative at Western & Southern Financial Group, and Home Mortgage Authority Liaison at Chase Bank. Shaphan is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and trained as an EMT. His compassionate and meticulous approach ensures exceptional care and service, making a meaningful impact on those he serves.

Rehabilitation Liaison - Senior Companion
Shaphan Tackett
Shaphan Tackett, based in Los Angeles, CA, has over fifteen years of caregiving and financial services experience. He excels in administering medications, providing personal care, and developing tailored care plans. His professional roles include Independent Caregiver, Financial Representative at Western & Southern Financial Group, and Home Mortgage Authority Liaison at Chase Bank. Shaphan is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and trained as an EMT. His compassionate and meticulous approach ensures exceptional care and service, making a meaningful impact on those he serves.