Nadine Machkovech
TEDx Speaker • Award-Winning Advocate • Executive Director • Upcoming Author
I believe in the power of story to heal, connect, and create lasting change.
Over the past decade, I’ve:
✔ Delivered 2,000+ hours of keynotes, workshops, and trainings across the country
✔ Educated over 200,000 people on mental health, recovery, and self-worth
✔ Helped launch national youth programs and community initiatives
✔ Partnered with schools, nonprofits, and corporations to create stigma-free, healing-centered spaces
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Today, I lead national efforts to amplify youth voices and promote positive mental health. My work is rooted in lived experience — at 20, I chose recovery and began the journey of rediscovering my worth. That choice shaped my mission: to help others feel seen, heard, and empowered to own their story.
What drives me? Purpose, connection, and the belief that we all have the power to rewrite our story.
Location:
Cocoa, Florida
About Nadine
Nadine Machkovech is a nationally recognized TEDx speaker, award-winning recovery advocate, and Executive Director dedicated to creating healing-centered, peer-led spaces where individuals can reclaim their worth, reconnect to their voice, and rewrite the narratives they’ve been handed.
As co-founder of RISE TOGETHER, Nadine has helped shape some of the nation’s most impactful youth mental health and prevention programs, reaching over 300,000 students nationwide through storytelling, connection, and lived-experience leadership.
With more than a decade in long-term recovery, Nadine blends raw storytelling with practical tools that inspire growth, connection, and action. Her approach has been recognized by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Forbes, and the National Safety Council, and she has shared her message on stages and in communities across the country.
Nadine is a certified coach, master-level facilitator, and founder of Nadine Speaks, a platform dedicated to truth-telling, whole-person healing, and self-worth activation. Her debut book, releasing Fall 2025, is a bold invitation to unlearn shame, embrace your truth, and remember that you were always enough.
Her work and voice have been featured in outlets including USA Today, FOX, WBAY, HuffPost, and as a Wellness Expert with Bellin Health. She lives between Wisconsin and Florida with her fiancé, Anthony, their son, Aidyn, and daughter, Jaedah — building a life rooted in truth, healing, and purpose.​​
Experience
*Coming September 2025
March 14, 2025
September 13, 2024
September 2023 - June 2024
July 2024 - October 2024
September 12, 2023
March 2024
July 2023 - June 2024
Oct 2021 - Present
September 12, 2021
January 2021 - Present
January 2019
Sept 2018 - Dec 2019
June 2018
January 2018
August 2018
2017
2016
September 2015
2015
January 2014
RISE TOGETHER 12 Year on September 12, 2025 Gibson Music Hall
Author
RISE TOGETHER 11 Year Anniversary Celebration + Concert
Helped create, organize, and implement the foundation for an event and rental business in Green Bay, WI, with Take Action Realty.
Organized, did outreach and supported the planning of 2nd Annual Wisconsin HER Day at the Oshkosh Arena with the Wisconsin Herd.
Worked as the Advocacy Director for a nonprofit, We EmpowHER, based in Fond du Lac, WI, where I interviewed, educated, trained, and mentored 50+ women through their 6th empowerment series.
I joined BODi (formerly known as Beachbody where I have helped hundreds of women create healthier fitness routines through challenges and accountability groups; I advanced in rank multiple times and won trips to Gatlinburg, TN & Wilmington, NC.
Voted into the Executive Director role following my predecessor and fiance, Anthony Alvarado.
On the advisory board for Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, helped organize the WI State Recovery Rally and MC'd it.
Recognized as a survivor advocate with National Safety Council
Became the Chief of Operations for RISE TOGETHER, leading and organizing over 50+ events and speaking in 15 major cities.
I shared my recovery story on the TEDx Fond du Lac stage, which has now been viewed by over 610,000 people worldwide. Hearing a message of hope and resilience.
I started sharing my recovery journey and personal/professional development lessons through The Sunlit Warrior Vlog and blog.
Voted on the board for RAP-WI (Recovery Addiction Professionals), which was formally known as WAADAC, to help advocate for recovery coaching to be seen as a legitimate peer recovery support service.
Became CCAR Recovery Coach and Training Certified
Helped co-create a statewide support group for siblings struggling with substance use disorder.
Found recovery and started my advocacy journey with RISE TOGETHER as a street team member and other organizations like OFA (Organizing for Action)
Featured Speaking & Training Engagements
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3rd Annual WI HER Day Teen Conference Facilitator, 2025
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Santa Rosa Junior College – Keynote, 2024
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College of DuPage – Annual Substance Abuse Symposium, Keynote
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Green River College (WA) – Guest Keynote, 2022
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Marian University UBMS Program – Presenter, 2022–2024
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SAMHSA Recovery Month Planning Committee – Partner
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National Prevention Conference – Featured Presenter, 2021
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Community Catalyst Annual Convening (Atlanta, GA) – National Panelist
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University of Houston (ARHE) – Collegiate Recovery Conference
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Now is the Time Conference (UW Whitewater) – Keynote, 2018
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Wisconsin Statewide Recovery Rally – Speaker & MC (3x)
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Statewide Mental Health Conferences (WI) – UW Marshfield,
UW-Green Bay, Northwoods Coalition -
Wisconsin Statewide School Resource Officers Conference
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Wisconsin Family-Based Services Association Conference
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WI Nurses Association State Conference
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United Way Teen Symposium
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Juvenile Justice & Children’s Mental Health Conferences
Allison Garner, Author and Founder of Thoughtly
I’ve known Nadine for about 7 years. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching with her, sharing a stage, and collaborating on projects. Nadine possesses a quiet strength that is grounding and inspiring. Her ability to create a safe space for others to speak their truth is one of her superpowers. She exudes high integrity and holds herself and others accountable, which has led to her high levels of success. What I most appreciate about her is how she connects deeply and authentically with me where I feel seen and understood.
Joseph Green, Founder and CEO of LMS Voice
Nadine is the person you want behind whatever project you might be launching. Working with her over the past four years has been both a personal and professional pleasure. Her ability to coordinate complex logistic and center both the humans and the mission is unparalleled. I look forward to working with her again because her passion for being a change maker is contagious.
Anthony Alvarado, Founder of RISE TOGETHER
It is impressive to see how much impact Nadine has made over the past several years. Her strong leadership shines while in the service of others. As a lifelong learner, she is notably passionate, organized, detailed-oriented, and recognized as a great communicator throughout her community. She continues to be relevant as her narrative changes and grows. I am proud to have been a part of her growth and success over the years and I'm proud to be her partner in business & life.