Develops and executes business plans. Maintains day-to-day operations of the program, including organizational expansion, staff development, fundraising and strategic planning. Chairman of New York Advisory Board for the Caron Foundation, where he himself received treatment for substance abuse. Key advisor for organization and has established philanthropic initiatives through the Clark Family and the Release Foundation.

Fun Facts

• South Jersey native
• Philly Sports Fan
• Ran 10 marathons, including the coveted Goggins challenge

Prior to joining Release, oversaw both primary and extended care treatment programs for adolescent and young adult males ages 13 to 25 at Caron Treatment Centers. At Release, oversees program innovation, staff supervision, project management and external relationships. Received Master’s degree in Public Administration from Penn State University. Certified Clinical Supervisor and a Certified Addiction Counselor.

Fun Facts

• Lives in Lebanon, PA with wife, Caryn, two children, Ryan and Nate, and dog, Jay
• Villanova football and basketball fan
• Loves Dave Matthews Band

Left a long-standing career in the fashion industry to be of service to those in need of therapeutic options. Draws on his experience as a father and understands the critical importance of good and supportive care when a loved one needs help. His enthusiasm and “make it happen” approach to the mission of Release assures clients are provided with sophisticated and compassionate treatment. Always shares his experience and resources with families while guiding them to the appropriate level of care.

Fun Facts

• Spends his time with his lovely wife between NYC and the Hudson Valley
• Born facilitator

NARM^® Practitioner specializing in treating complex trauma, substance use, personality disorders and mood disorders. Passionate about working with families. Strong background in Family Systems Therapy. Brings her clinical expertise and personal experience as a woman in recovery to Release by utilizing compassion, intentionality and integrity. Received her Master’s in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University.

Fun Facts

• Was a “Moment of Zen” on The Daily Show
• Owns a dog named Goose
• Has a daughter named Eleanor
• New York native

Worked in addiction treatment for over 7 years and has been with Release since before it opened about 5.5 years ago. Has years of experience in sober companioning, sober coaching, house managing, interventions, sober transports and more. Strong in problem solving, time management, people skills, decision making and critical thinking.

Has worked for Release Recovery for four years, two years in Admissions. Enjoys being a family and the clients-first philosophy at Release. Provides hope, calm, and even joy in a family’s most sacred moment of uncertainty.

Fun Facts

• Learned how to ride a bike on 3rd birthday without training wheels
• Loves Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and the Grateful Dead
• Hails from an incredible family WAY Upstate New York

Sobriety is a huge part of her life, as many of her relatives are in recovery. Worked at Release’s women’s house as a Client Support Specialist and Recovery Coach before transitioning to Community Engagement Coordinator and the Admissions team. Specializes in program development, special projects, behavioral interventions, community outreach and sibling support. Worked in non-profit development and behavioral health before moving to New York City to earn a Dual Master’s degree in Social Work and Public Health at NYU. Received Bachelor’s degree in Biobehavioral Health and Disability Studies from Penn State.

Fun Facts

• Has a dog named Lila
• From Pittsburgh
• Loves documentaries

Began at Release Recovery as a Client Support Specialist in the women’s house. Assisted Release Foundation with the NYC marathon fundraiser and bookkeeping for scholarships. Wears several hats, but mostly assists Founder Zac Clark and Release with administrative projects. Graduate of Stony Brook University with a background in Sociology with academics focused on Substance Abuse and Prevention.

Began his journey to recovery in 2008. His passion for helping others with addiction issues comes from his many years of personal struggle with substances. Helps bridge the gap between client residential living, and their aftercare needs for a well rounded recovery. Received degree in Marketing from the University of Scranton. Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach.

Fun Facts

• Wrote a screenplay called “Before I Wake” about his recovery journey
• Lifelong passion for acting
• Can be seen on various New York TV shows playing detectives, cops and firefighters

Began working in the addiction field since 2017 and has been in personal recovery since 2015. Highly skilled in problem solving for clients and families to create a sustainable roadmap for moving forward. Expert in young people recovery, navigating college in sobriety, and helping all clients acclimate into Release Recovery’s NYC recovery community.

Fun Facts

• 2x marathon runner for Release Foundation
• Pickleball extraordinaire
• Skier
• Dessert guy

Before coming to Release, taught Literature and Creative Writing at the university-level. Writing has appeared in various magazines and journals. In addition to writing, acts periodically in the New York area.

Fun Facts

• Enjoys running and swimming
• Fan of yoga and meditation

Oversees each client’s case, delivers support needed to progress within the Release Development Program, from intake to discharge and potentially aftercare. Ensures all parts of the client’s support system are managed through the client’s recovery process, communicating and aligning clinical providers, family, loved ones and Release Support Staff. Has a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Mental health counselor with a limited permit (MHC-LP) working towards full licensure.

Fun Facts

• Born and raised in the Bronx
• Girl dad (#girldad) of two
• Loves pizza

Started career in mental health and addiction as a care coordinator, then case management and supervisory roles at an inpatient residential treatment center for adolescents. Works with clients and families at Release on a long-term basis. Helps clients transition from being in an inpatient setting to become self-sufficient in their new lives of sobriety.

Fun Facts

• Lifelong car enthusiast
• Passionate rock climber
• Loves taking clients to the climbing gym

A former Release client, turned his life around by building practical life skills and finding a spiritual path in sobriety. Tries to help other clients do the same. Considers the team of professionals he works with at Release Recovery as family. Has strong intuition and high emotional intelligence. Expertise is rooted in the intersection between sobriety, mental health, meditation and the arts. Professional background in Contemporary Art Consulting. Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Naropa University.

Coaches clients to realize their full potential and live a healthy, sustainable life.

Provides support to clients by encouraging accountability with daily tasks and guidance in all areas of their rehabilitation process. Self-motivated team player.

Works with clients to reignite the flame within themselves through the Great Outdoors. Rekindles their connection with nature and other healthy adventurous activities.

Fun Facts

• Passionate snowboarder
• Plays guitar and writes music
• Loves helping people struggling with substance abuse and mental health

Goes to any lengths to help someone in need and views helping someone potentially find recovery as the greatest feeling in the world. Provides transports, sober companionship and coaching. Answers the call and heads out like a firefighter. Loves working one-on-one with clients. Loves when clients FaceTime him on their 1-year anniversary of sobriety. Strong in making people feel comfortable and trusting him for support.

After entering recovery at the age of 65 in 2019, became a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Certified Recovery Peer Advocate. Began at Release in May of 2021. Loves working with clients at Release’s 6th Avenue residence. Works well with the men finishing school and pursuing careers in New York City because he remembers how hard that was. Received Master of Architecture degree from Yale University and practiced as a private residential architect for over 40 years.

Worked for a media agency in NYC for 4 years until he decided to get sober. After spending time at Release as a client, realized he wanted to help others and pass on some of the skills he learned at Release’s sober house. Wants to help people learn how to enjoy life sober.

Guides people to a healthier lifestyle through consistent exercise and finding themselves.

Fun Facts

• Avid skateboarder
• Model

Covers the overnight shift at Release’s sober living houses. Ensures that residents are safe and secure at all times. Observes residents, administers daily medications, makes sure all residents have performed chores before heading to bed. Ensures all areas of the residential house are clean.

Asset protection, estate management, operations administration.

State Certified Senior Peer Specialist. Recently completed provisional training for CASACT CBT. Skilled in motivating and interviewing clients.

Supports Release clients in various aspects of maintaining sobriety, sober transport, and coaching. Skilled in coaching young adults in early recovery. Prior experience in film editing and setting up and managing the Alumni Program at a residential treatment center for adolescents. Working toward professional certification for substance abuse counseling.

Fun Facts

• Has a dog named Beetle
• Loves a baseball
• Diehard Yankees fan

Used to work in compensation at a tech company, but desired a more meaningful job. Has been in recovery for a number of years. Giving back to the community that gave so much was a perfect fit. Enjoys one-on-one time with clients, as it gives him the opportunity to understand them on a deeper level, which allows him to be as helpful as possible.

Has more than 20 years of experience in technical and administrative management roles and five years in the addiction recovery field. Brings to Release a wealth of communicative and social connection skills, which serves as a catalyst between clients and Release programs.

Brings love and compassion to every client. Helps clients through tough situations by showing them that a sober life is amazing and fun.

Release Alumni giving back to an organization that has helped him tremendously. Lives by the saying, “Nothing is given, everything is earned!”

Fun Facts

• Big Mets fan
• Skilled in wrestling and boxing
• Originally from Flushing, Queens, aka The Flush

Former Release client. Continues to grow spiritually and strives to be the best version of himself one day at a time. Skilled in operations and customer service and passionate about assisting people in need. Aims to pass along knowledge learned over the course of his own sobriety and connect with clients early in their journey to show them that a life without drugs or alcohol is a life worth living.

Maintains a positive and constructive living environment for Release clients clients. Resides at Underhill 5-6 days per week to maintain property and attend to its overall presence. Occasional buffer between clients and case managers. Supports staff with senior staff members. Manages staff scheduling in Westchester properties. Coordinates and participates in client transportation schedules. Works with kitchen staff on weekly and special occasion food ordering. Assists with monitoring and ordering products, supplies, and maintains property vehicles.

Fun Facts

• Coached competitive baseball for 18 years on both the high school and summer AAU circuit
• Director of Connecticut Impact Softball Club and Head Coach of 16/18 Premier Programs that help young ladies pursuing higher education use softball as a tool to get into some of the most educational competitive universities
• Has helped players find placement at Yale, Fordham, Colgate, Georgia Tech, Hofstra, Swarthmore, University of Massachusetts and more

Everyone’s favorite team member and house mom with a huge heart. Cooks meals and maintains upkeep of the Release Westchester Men’s House. Previously worked for New York Hospital as a mental health worker for 20 years and as a caregiver for the elderly. Great source of support for Release clients and staff.

Makes sure all of Release’s properties look good and run efficiently. Assists with client support, transportations and Monday Night Runs setup. Maintains inventory of drug tests and other essential items at all properties.

Fun Facts

• Loves playing basketball
• Dog lover
• Big fan of the beaches in Greece

Catering manager for 15 years before getting sober and wanting to work in behavioral health. Meets with clients weekly to help set and achieve their goals. Maintains constant contact with the client clinical teams to ensure everyone is on the same page and collaborating to best help clients succeed not only in their recovery, but in their life. Works with parents to help them understand addiction and mental health and how to best support their child. Currently in graduate school to become a mental health counselor.

Fun Facts

• Runner
• Former dance instructor
• Loves board games
• Grew up in Long Island and lives in New York City

Thrives on being a cheerleader while challenging clients to push and be better. Goes through the process side by side with clients and checks in often. Uses big-picture thinking to help clients manage their time, prioritize the present and grow spiritually, mentally and physically in sobriety and beyond. Certified Recovery Coach, Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and Certified Personal Trainer.

Specializes in case planning and logistics, client/family case management, staff team support and professional development with aftercare clients. Earned Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and worked as a personal trainer before entering the recovery field as a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach.

Fun Facts

• Dachshund lover
• Dyslexic

Specializes in special populations, reentry services for the homeless, returning from prison and jails and substance use. Advocate for trauma, substance use, mental health and reentry services for women. Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science student. Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T).

Started at Release as an intern in 2022 and was lucky enough to join the women’s house in a client support role when the internship ended. Uses social emotional learning skills to build strong relationships with residents. Currently in final year in grad school to receive Master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling.

Tatiana worked as a hairstylist in TriBeCa for 4 years before deciding to dive into her passion of helping others into their journey to recovery. She guides clients through early recovery and helps establish our sober community. She’s eager to continue supporting clients at Release.

Help, guide and assist.

Fun Facts

• Loves to read books
• Loves journaling

Moved to New York City from Baltimore to begin her career as a health supportive chef specializing in food allergies with a plant-based cooking. Worked in some of NYC’s busiest restaurants and has a food science background. Passionate about making nourishing food choices available for everyone.

Initially set on becoming a surgeon, decided to focus on mental health after realizing her passion of breaking the stigma around going to treatment. Uses her own inpatient treatment experience as inspiration while working at Release’s 74th street house. Gives women an outlet to explore their spirituality, empowers them to better themselves and helps them build a strong foundation of self love as they explore their sober lives. Hopes to show women that with the right support, mindset and dedication, a positive and successful life is truly possible after treatment. Current student working towards a degree in Psychology at Hunter College. Also training to become a Certified Peer Mentor.

Fun Facts

• Huge proponent of self care through meditation, crystals, art, mindfulness, skincare or good conversations
• Loves a good cup of chai tea and sitting in the park with her pup and tarot cards

Decided to end an 18-year international career in hotel management to focus on her own sobriety. Helps each individual navigate their way in early sobriety offering guidance, support, and structure with love, compassion, and leading by example. Certified Recovery Coach, sober transport and sober companion with more than 150 CEU in alcoholism/addiction.

Helps Release Recovery clients understand how to deal with their inner thoughts and feelings. Provides great support.

Proud to be part of Release Recovery. Helps encourage and support clients in their recovery. Inspired by seeing clients change and find their own voice. Received Bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies with concentration in Psychology from Hunter College. Certified Recovery Coach from Recovery Coach Academy.