Preeti Davidson, Founder
Preeti has twenty-five years of experience working with young people from the country's most elite schools and universities. She had held senior leadership roles since the age of twenty-three when she became the youngest Director of Development and Alumni Relations at a prestigious university in New York City.
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However, there was a side of her life no one knew about—not her family, colleagues, mentors, friends, or even her partners. Preeti struggled with addiction, using alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and shopping to numb herself and seek validation. These behaviors served as both rewards for her achievements and punishments driven by the shame and self-loathing inherent to addiction.
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Her lowest point lasted about ten months, culminating when her doctor asked if she was willing to go to rehab. It was a moment of clarity as if she had been waiting for someone to offer help, unable to admit she wasn’t invincible. That marked the end of the silent crisis she had endured for twenty-six years.
"Preeti uses her experience to help young people build self-worth and confidence"
Now in long-term recovery, Preeti uses her experience to help young people build self-worth and confidence, guiding them to navigate life without the suffering she endured.
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She also hosts The Unloveables, a video podcast about her recovery journey, named after the sense of unbelonging that fueled both her overachievement and self-doubt. Preeti writes about addiction, recovery, self-esteem, immigration, childhood trauma, and being a woman of color in substance use recovery.
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She lives in Norwalk, CT, with her two dogs, Max and Major,
who have never worked a day in their lives but are proud of their
sober mom and the greatest champions of her clients.
Curt Dalton, Parent-in-Chief
Curt Dalton, a parenting expert and father of three teenage boys, brings extensive real-world experience to MAYA. With thirty years in start-ups and early-stage companies, he is an invaluable asset to our team and the families we serve.
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As a seasoned parent navigating the challenges of raising teens in the digital age, Curt understands the balance between setting boundaries and fostering independence. For the past two years, his role as a “sole parent on duty” has given him deep insights into issues like screen addiction, social media pressure, and building genuine self-esteem in young people.
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Before joining MAYA, Curt ran online companies and taught a "Shark Tank" Program for over ten years at a local private high school. His background and parenting expertise enable him to offer a holistic approach to youth development and family dynamics.
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At MAYA, Curt plays a vital role in the Discovery Program, guiding teens and tweens through identifying core values and building authentic self-confidence. His favorite aspect of this work is helping to shift mindsets, break generational patterns, and create healthier futures for families.​
"You are 100% responsible for your happiness and future; don’t give that power to someone else.”
Known for his approachable and humorous communication style, Curt connects well with parents and youth. Outside MAYA, he is passionate about mentoring high school students interested in entrepreneurship and living fulfilling lives. His passion adds depth to his work, guiding clients to embrace their inherent worth. As Curt often says, "You are 100% responsible for your happiness and future; don’t give that power away to someone else."​
Curt lives with his sons and their dog, Chewy, in Middleton, MA.
