About me
The story of
Dr. Hunter T. Foote
Dr. Hunter T. Foote is a multifaceted leader, author, and entrepreneur whose work spans real estate, social enterprise, law, and education. With a career defined by building innovative organizations and writing influential works, he has combined strategic thinking and purpose-driven action to create meaningful change in multiple sectors. From founding nationally recognized organizations to writing guides that empower professionals and communities, Dr. Foote’s work reflects a deep commitment to solving complex problems with creativity, integrity, and vision.
Writing
Dr. Foote’s writing spans practical guides, legal analysis, and academic research, all focused on driving meaningful impact across industries. From the Developing Sober Living Real Estate series to his scholarly dissertation on social franchising, his works offer actionable insights and frameworks that empower readers to build sustainable, mission-driven ventures.
His writing combines real-world expertise with a passion for systems thinking and social innovation, resulting in works that resonate with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and policy advocates alike.
Selected Works Include:
- The Developing Sober Living Real Estate Series:
A three-book series (How to Buy a Sober House, How to Finance Recovery Housing, and How to Upfit Properties for Recovery Housing) that serves as a comprehensive roadmap for investors, nonprofits, and operators building recovery housing. - Recovery Housing Law & Practice:
A definitive guide to navigating the legal, regulatory, and operational challenges faced by sober living operators. - Ph.D. Dissertation – Scaling Social Enterprise:
A deep dive into how social franchising supports sustainable growth and social impact.
Dr. Foote’s writing combines real-world insights, practical frameworks, and legal expertise, equipping readers to both build sustainable housing models and advocate for fair housing rights.
Explore all of Dr. Foote’s publications here:
Professional Endeavors
Founder: Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL)
Dr. Foote is the founder of Vanderburgh Sober Living, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to creating structured, supportive sober living communities. Under his leadership, VSL grew to 38 homes and became the largest network of Level II recovery residences in the U.S. by 2020.
Through a pioneering social franchising model, Dr. Foote empowered Chartered Operators to run independent homes under shared training, oversight, and values, combining business discipline with mission-centered purpose. Today, VSL remains a trusted leader in recovery housing, blending sustainable real estate practices with compassionate community care.
- Learn more: vanderburghhouse.com
Chief Financial Officer: AeroVenture Institute
Prior to his work with VSL, Dr. Foote served as the Chief Financial Officer and co-founder of AeroVenture Institute, an aviation education organization that became the only flight school in the country to receive AOPA’s National Best Flight School Award twice.
His role at AeroVenture involved building scalable business systems, leading strategic planning, and overseeing finances to position the institute as a national leader in aviation education. This achievement reflected his ability to combine operational excellence with innovative, student-focused programming.
- Learn more: https://aeroventure.org/
Entrepreneurship and Strategic Leadership
Beyond these ventures, Dr. Foote has played a key role in developing mission-driven organizations across healthcare, real estate, and education. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for a medical startup, leading the financial strategy behind the development of a mobile CPAP system for neonatal intensive care in Africa. His broad experience highlights a consistent focus on building organizations that solve complex problems while delivering lasting social impact
Academics
Salve Regina University: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Dr. Foote earned his Ph.D. in Humanities from Salve Regina University, where his research focused on social franchising as a model for scaling social enterprises. His dissertation, Scaling Social Enterprise: How Social Franchising Supports Sustainable Growth and Impact, examines how mission-driven ventures can leverage franchising frameworks to achieve sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and broad social impact. This work bridges the disciplines of entrepreneurship, ethics, and systems change, offering valuable insights for both academic and professional audiences.
Harvard University: Master’s Degree
Dr. Foote holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where he specialized in entrepreneurship and innovation. His academic focus included real estate, business strategy, and social enterprise development, equipping him with a multidisciplinary foundation that informs both his writing and leadership in recovery housing and beyond.
Lecturing and Teaching Engagements
Dr. Foote’s teaching and lecturing roles span multiple prestigious institutions, where he has brought real-world entrepreneurial insights into the classroom:
- Harvard University – Graduate-level courses in entrepreneurship and product innovation.
- Hult International Business School – Undergraduate instruction in technology and blockchain innovation.
- Boston University – Guest lectures on social enterprise and innovation strategies.
- Springfield College – Guest lectures focusing on entrepreneurship and organizational leadership.