LEADERSHIP & STAFF
We work to demonstrate the power and promise of Recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, and the value Recovery provides to individuals, families, and entire communities throughout New York State.
Angelia has centered her career around improving treatment outcomes for those in recovery, as well as exploring research designed at substance use counselor development. Her doctoral dissertation, entitled, “Examining the Relationship between the Substance Abuse Counselor Knowledge of the Models of Disability and their self-assessment of cultural competence working with the Deaf Sign Language User,” afforded her the opportunity to learn and study addictions from the counselor’s perspective.
Dr. Smith-Wilson has a B.S. in Psychology from SUNY Brockport, Master of Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Doctorate in Education from St. John Fisher College. Dr. Smith-Wilson is adjunct faculty at the School of Social Welfare, Graduate MSW Program, University of Albany, where she teaches Macro Practice Social Work.
Dr. Smith-Wilson comes to us from her most recent position as the Assistant Director of Local Program Operations at the New York State Office for the Aging, within the Local Programs Division.
“For me, sustained recovery came as I began to make honest human connections with others whom I shared similar lived experiences. Through those connections, I found my voice and my purpose. As Director of Policy at FOR-NY, my goal is to listen to and amplify the voices of New Yorkers who have been affected by addiction, developing and executing a strategic agenda that supports our communities’ needs.”
Cas was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and identifies as a Queer Latina who is living in mental health recovery and is a family member of a person in long-tern sustainable recovery, who demonstrates everyday that recovery is possible. Her previous experience with NAMI-NYS and as an active activist and leader with Voices of Community Activists and Leaders – New York (VOCAL-NY), has allow her to strengthen her voice to advocate for herself, loved ones and her community. In addition, Cas is a board member of NAMI Capital Region, NY and a member of Women United Capital Region.
Youth Voices Matter NY Team
Ashton received his BSW at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and his MSW from University at Albany. Ashton is an ally to the Recovery Community and a passionate activist looking forward to working with the Recovery Community to organize and advocate for progressive change and eliminate the negative perception of people in recovery and those experiencing addiction.
Ashton is also a member of the transgender community and looks forward to assisting the Recovery Community in becoming more accessible to people of all gender identities and expressions.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Maddie graduated from Hudson Valley Community College in 2008 with an A.A. in Individual Studies (English). She brings over five years of clerical and administrative assisting experience with her from the home remodeling industry. She was the Project Assistant for FOR-NY before transitioning to being the YVM Specialist
Maddie an activist in the pursuit of a variety of social justice causes including prison reform, improved conditions, and rights for people who are currently incarcerated, ending homelessness as well as harm reduction efforts. She is a community leader with VOCAL-NY (Voices of Community Activists and Leaders- New York) where she has gained experience with community organizing, public speaking, and lobbying.
Alumni Association of New York State
Ms. Gordon has extensively traveled in relation to professional addiction recovery service in Thailand, Indonesia, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, and Peru. Ms. Gordon is a graduate of Harvard College, Bank Street College of Education and has graduate course work at New York University, Oxford University and Columbia University Business School. Ms. Gordon is a mother of three sons. She sponsors women internationally and is an ally of the LGBTQ community.