Meet the Team
Mary Sandry
Co-Founder
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.
Danette Haag
Co-Founder
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.
In Remembrance of
Chet Hippler
Hero Haven was built on a simple but powerful truth: those who serve others deserve a place to be supported, understood, and cared for. At the heart of that truth was one of our founders, Chet Hippler.
Chet’s impact on Hero Haven—and on the people who have been touched by it—cannot be overstated. His willingness to share his own story, openly and honestly, became a turning point. In a culture where so many are conditioned to say “I’m fine,” Chet chose something different. He chose courage. He chose vulnerability. And in doing so, he gave others permission to do the same.
It was his deep desire to serve and support fellow emergency responders that helped bring Hero Haven to life. Chet understood, in a way only someone who has lived it can, the weight carried by those on the front lines—the cumulative stress, the unseen burdens, the quiet struggles that often go unspoken. He didn’t just recognize it—he felt called to do something about it.
Chet believed in connection. He believed that healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and understood. That belief became a cornerstone of Hero Haven. The retreats, the conversations, the safe spaces created for others—all carry his spirit and his intention.
Those who knew Chet remember not only his strength, but his heart. His compassion for others ran deep, and his commitment to helping those around him never wavered. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, of breaking down barriers, of reminding others that they weren’t alone.
Today, his legacy lives on in every life touched by Hero Haven. In every conversation that opens a door. In every moment someone feels understood. In every step someone takes toward healing.
We honor Chet not only by remembering him, but by continuing the work he helped begin.
His story mattered.
His voice mattered.
And his impact will continue to ripple outward for years to come.
