Meet Our Team
Ian Groves
Since 2016, Ian Groves has dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of young people through substance misuse prevention education. His focus has been on program delivery and consultation, working across 40 states in the U.S. and in various countries to include Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa.
Ian’s educational background includes studies at Loyola Marymount University in pharmacology, neurobiology, and adolescent development. He has had the privilege of working alongside top addiction clinicians throughout the United States and abroad. His passion lies in preventing addiction before it even begins.
Originally from Manhattan Beach, California, Ian now resides in El Segundo with his two daughters, Winter and Willow. Beyond his professional work, Ian enjoys rock climbing, camping with his family, playing the drums, photography, and experimenting in the kitchen with culinary arts.
With a background in biology and pharmacology, Ian has dedicated his life to serving school communities and providing substance prevention education. Ian uses his own personal story of addiction and recovery from the age of 16 as a foundation for his relationship with his students. Today, he has 13 years in recovery, which he shares as his own emerging “story.”
David Alan Sherrell
David Alan Sherrell brings over 15 years of experience advancing community health with evidence-based approaches and a deep commitment to empowering others in the field. David blends frontline expertise in adolescent substance misuse prevention with rigorous academic training as a doctoral candidate at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. His consulting practice is grounded in the social norms approach and in community-based participatory research; this ensures that every initiative is both scientifically robust and tailored to the unique needs of schools and prevention organizations. David’s leadership is further shaped by long-term healthy recovery from Substance Use Disorder and his lived experience with visible and invisible disabilities; these fuel his belief in professional vulnerability, mutual support, and authentic connection as cornerstones of the provision of effective prevention services.
David’s work is inspired by a passion for guiding prevention professionals through mentorship, collaborative research, and the development of innovative training resources. He is recognized for translating complex research into practical, sustainable strategies, and for fostering a culture of learning and professional growth among his peers and clients. Whether designing evaluation frameworks, leading interactive workshops, or advising on organizational culture, David champions a holistic, strengths-based approach that prioritizes both measurable impact and the human stories behind the data.
Leighanna Dobbs
Leighanna Dobbs is a Client Relations Coordinator with Atom Theory Prevention, where she works closely with school counselors, administrators, and leadership teams to support effective, relationship-driven prevention efforts. She is deeply committed to helping young people stay healthy by strengthening the systems and partnerships that surround them.
Known for her reliability and follow-through, Leighanna brings a strong background in client-facing work and long-term relationship building. She supports school partners through clear communication, thoughtful coordination, and a consistent presence—ensuring prevention initiatives are well organized, responsive, and aligned with each school’s needs.
Leighanna values trust, collaboration, and continuity, and believes that strong school relationships are essential to meaningful prevention and student wellbeing.
Madison DeRycke
Madison DeRycke has been working with youth since 2015. After attaining a Bachelor's in Sociology from National University, and becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, an international Sociological Honor Society, she went into the field of Early Childhood Education and became a certified Primary Montessori guide.
Madison has always had a passion for substance misuse prevention, as she watched close family members battling various addictions throughout her childhood. She observed the struggles they faced and always wanted to find a way to prevent that feeling and experience in others.