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.


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.
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.



In his role as Communications and Development Manager at FOR-NY, Watson will be able to utilize his experience in fundraising, marketing and public relations. He will also bring knowledge of multimedia editing and production to the FOR-NY team.
Watson is a graduate of Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina where he holds a degree in Communications with a concentration in journalism.
Youth Voices Matter NY Team
Visit website: youthvoicesmatter.org

Ben is a New York State Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), a Certified Peer Specialist and a Friends of Recovery – NY Best practice Trainer.
“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 the Youth Recovery Program Coordinator, my goal is to empower my team to facilitate dynamic and engaging opportunities for youth and young adults from all over New York State to create meaningful and supportive peer-to-peer connections.”

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