LEPG: The Beginning

The story of the LEPG begins with connection, as most peer relationships do. Through the bond forged in training came a small group of individuals who connected for support. Each week these three individuals would come together and share their struggles and find support and connection. Over time, it became clear that many of the struggles from one side of the state were similar to the other side of the state. The conclusion? The system is broken.

Then comes the logical question, who fixes it? The people in this group were Lynn Mayday (training facilitator and coordinator), Bailey McGowan, and Jessica Sweeney. Jessica and Bailey were just two small business owners trying to navigate the complexities of keeping their CPS and CPPS businesses alive. There seemed to be one barrier after another; making it hard to succeed in building a supportive business based on peer values. Bailey and Jessica came to the conclusion that they couldn’t be alone in their struggle. Bailey and Jessica came to the conclusion that they couldn’t be alone in their struggle, so they put their peer skills to good use and reached out to others to build a network for support and information. So began the journey to connecting to people and resources, which is what we do! It’s who we are.

Not long after, the realization that this was a global struggle began to emerge. The need for peers to come together as peers became clear. We needed to use our skills together, for and with each other. We are so good at supporting others, but who supports us? Who can we turn to when we need resources and information beyond our own knowledge? Those questions fueled the journey of connection now known as the Lived Experience Professionals Guild (LEPG).

The LEPG was simply an idea but beginning to develop into something real. In February of 2025 a workgroup of four individuals collaborated about what the LEPG could be and what it would need to launch and be successful. The LEPG was growing. They broke bread and committed to seeing the LEPG come to life.

By February of 2026 it was a living creation coming into the world. Through business plans, bylaws, surveys, planning, connecting and many long days and nights of collaboration the LEPG was beginning to come to life. By August of 2026 the LEPG had grown to include more board members and had officially become a non-profit organization.

As the LEPG continues to grow, the board stays committed to the values and efficacy of the peer profession. The LEPG is a group of committed individuals coming together to unite the peer community into one. Because of the struggle of two business owners, peers around the state of Wisconsin have a home where they can find support, resources, connection and family that is all peer-run and peer-loved.