Dorian is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) who leverages her background in special populations, re-entry services, and substance use to support clients through the recovery process. Dorian is proud to act as an advocate for equitable access to proper services for women impacted by mental illness and substance use disorder. She’s currently studying Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science.

A former Release client, Charlie found success – and purpose – in recovery by building practical life skills while discovering a spiritual path in sobriety. As a client support specialist, he now uses his vast personal experience to help Release clients on their recovery journey, with a special emphasis on mental health, mediation, and the arts. Charlie is grateful to work with a team of professionals at Release Recovery whom he considers family. Before beginning his career in recovery, Charlie worked in contemporary art consulting and earned his bachelor’s degree from Naropa University.

Sam began his career as a care coordinator at an inpatient residential treatment center for adolescents, where he saw first-hand the importance of family and support systems in recovery. Now a case manager at Release, Sam works closely with clients and their families throughout their recovery journey and enjoys supporting clients as they transition from inpatient settings to becoming self-sufficient in their new lives in recovery.

Stephen has worked in the addiction and recovery field since 2017 and has been in personal recovery since 2015. As program coordinator, Stephen draws on his professional and personal experience to create a roadmap for sustained and fulfilling recovery for all of Release’s clients. Highly skilled in problem solving for clients and their families, Stephen is an expert at working with young people in recovery, navigating college in sobriety, and helping all clients acclimate into Release Recovery’s New York City recovery community.

Mario works in special services at Release, which means he goes to great lengths to answer the call when someone is in need – whether for transportation, sober companionship, or coaching. Mario loves working one-on-one with clients and maintaining long-term relationships with those he supports in recovery. He takes particular joy in receiving FaceTime’s from clients on their one-year anniversaries.

Dawn is a certified recovery coach and sober companion. After an 18-year career in international hotel management, she chose to focus on her own sobriety, which led her to a new career in the addiction and recovery field. At Release, Dawn helps clients navigate their way through early recovery – leading by example and offering guidance, support, transport, and structure with love and compassion. 

After years of experience working in the mental health field as a behavioral health technician, Kenny joined Release in May of 2022 as a client support specialist. Kenny enjoys connecting with clients and holds them accountable to their daily tasks within Release’s program. Kenny prides himself on being a self-motivated team player, guiding and supporting clients in every aspect of their early recovery process.

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

From look and feel to cleanliness and security, John ensures that all of our properties live up to the impeccable standards that our clients deserve and have come to expect from Release Recovery. John is particularly focused on making certain that each property runs efficiently, so clients and staff are able to focus on the most important task at hand: recovery.

Fun Fact

Big fan of the beaches in Greece

A certified addiction recovery coach and recovery peer advocate, Eddie helps bridge the gap for clients between transitional living and their aftercare needs – so that their recovery is well-rounded and that they are set up for success. Eddie’s passion for helping others struggling with addiction stems from his personal battle with substance use. Having begun his journey to recovery in 2008, Eddie – a graduate of the University of Scranton – is keenly aware of the ups and downs of maintaining recovery over the long-term; and he is dedicated to helping Release’s clients see their journey through.

Guy oversees all of Release’s clients’ cases, bringing to bear any and all resources needed for clients to progress successfully within the Release program – from intake to discharge and aftercare. As program director, he ensures all aspects of each client’s support system are managed effectively throughout the recovery process, communicating with and aligning clinical providers, family, loved ones, and Release support staff. Guy has a Master’s degree in mental health counseling and serves as a mental health counselor with a limited permit (MHC-LP). He is working towards full licensure. 

Fun Fact

#Girldad of two

Marshall is Release Recovery’s full-time adventure coach, leading group trips and adventures – from rock climbing and hiking to snowboarding and kayaking – for Release’s clients, rekindling their connection with nature and other healthy activities. Marshall was a client at Release when he discovered his passion for nature and adventure. Now certified in wilderness first aid and as a wilderness guide and outdoor educator, Marshall is determined to show that a life without alcohol or substances can be fun – one adventure at a time.

Margaret began at Release Recovery as a client support specialist in the Women’s House. A former D-1 runner, she found out about Release through a running podcast and has assisted the Release Foundation with its successful New York City marathon fundraisers, as well as with bookkeeping for scholarships. Today, she wears several hats, but mostly assists Founder & CEO Zac Clark and Release with administrative projects. Margaret is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a background in sociology and a focus on substance use and prevention.

As a lead client support specialist, Soo guides Release’s clients to a healthier lifestyle through exercise, community, and self-discovery. An alumni of the program himself, Soo remembers well the way Release’s dedicated staff helped him reconnect with family and friends and rekindle his healthy passions – which is exactly what he strives to do today for his clients.

Fun Fact

Avid skateboarder

Josh focuses on safe transports, coaching, and companion jobs. He is particularly skilled in working with young adults in early recovery, helping to connect clients to New York City’s greater recovery community through his own lived experience – reminding every client that a life in recovery can be as fun as it is fulfilling.

Carly is a client support specialist in long-term recovery herself. She lives by the motto “Help, Guide, and Assist,” which fueled her own recovery and shapes the attitude she brings every day to Release Recovery – where she ensures that the women at Release are safe, cared for, and connected.

As a case manager and certified recovery coach, peer advocate, and personal trainer, Laura acts a cheerleader for her clients while simultaneously challenging them to be their best. She’s with her clients every step of the process, checking in often and using big-picture thinking to help clients manage their time, prioritize the present, and grow spiritually, mentally, and physically in recovery and beyond.

Grace is a former client of the women’s program. Now she manages the social media for release recovery and the foundation. Grace got her undergrad and graduate degree at Southern Methodist University. She uses her past experience in advertising and performing arts to create visually intriguing strategies to increase brand awareness. She manages the content from ideation to the post date and beyond. Grace is passionate about destigmatizing addiction among young women and showcasing that sobriety is NOT boring.

Kirk has more than 20 years of experience in technical and administrative management roles and five years in the addiction recovery field. He brings to Release a wealth of communication and social connection skills, which he uses in supporting his clients.

After entering recovery at the age of 65 in 2019, Leonard became a certified addiction recovery coach and certified recovery peer advocate. He began at Release in May of 2021, where he loves working with clients at Release’s 6th Avenue residence. Leonard focuses specifically on clients finishing school and pursuing careers in New York City, as he knows first-hand how hard that can be. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University and practiced as a private residential architect for more than 40 years.

Chris began working in behavioral health in 2013, starting at a residential treatment center. This field quickly became Chris’s calling, leading him to gain extensive experience in various roles such as case management, admissions, and director of professional development. Chris’s diverse skillset encompasses crisis intervention, family coaching, and situational analysis as a consultant. Drawing upon compassion and empathy, Chris establishes meaningful connections with clients and families, providing them with the necessary space to initiate the healing process. Alongside his passion for helping others, Chris enjoys an active lifestyle that combines athletics and academics and is currently attending Columbia University studying Sociology and Political Science and looks forward to sharing this valuable knowledge with others.