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.
Christopher is no stranger to advocacy, having developed and planned advocacy campaigns for a local nonprofit based in Albany where he was Program Manager prior to his work in the NYS Legislature. As Program Manager, he founded and led a steering committee which helped foster advocacy while promoting empowerment for individuals with disabilities. He was responsible for all advocacy efforts and planned many advocacy events, including lobby days at the capitol.
Advocating for recovery efforts is not only extremely important to Christopher, but it is personal. Christopher is in long term recovery and credits a wonderful support system and access to resources as critical to his recovery. Personally, he is a graduate of the University at Albany, loves his dogs, is an avid hiker and weather watcher. He is honored to be part of the effort to make sure that everyone has access to recovery in their own way.
Jennifer is a graduate of SUNY Ulster with an A.S. in Liberal Arts & Science with a Certificate in Sign Language Interpreting and an A.A.S. in Human Services with a Certificate in Direct Care Practice. She also earned her BSW and MSW through University at Albany.
Jennifer is passionate about exploring intersectional identities and the unique experiences of the recovery community. In her personal time, Jennifer is a supporter of the art of drag and affectionately has two cats named Coco Peru and Sashay.
Ms. West began her educational advancement on the campus of Virginia Union University, located in Richmond, Virginia and has worked in Public Administration for over 22 years. She has held several positions in city, state, and local government such as: Administrative Assistant to late Chair of the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the Honorable Herman “Denny” Farrell, Jr.; Payroll and Accounts Payable Administrator and Personnel Assistant for the City of Albany. Most recently, Ms. West served as the Assistant Director of Human Resources for the City School District of Albany and was responsible for overseeing benefits administration for over 1800 employees, FMLA, workers’ compensation, civil service, contract negotiations, recruitment, teacher certifications, and employee trainings.
Ms. West is an active member of the community and has served in various capacities. In January 2016, she was appointed to the Diversity Council for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York. She has volunteered with Equinox for over 20 years; tutored elementary and middle school children; helped build homes with Capital District Habitat for Humanity; and facilitated workshops for teens on etiquette, police contact, and conflict resolution. Most notably, Ms. West was elected city-wide to serve a five-year term as Albany Public Library Board Trustee for the City of Albany, NY in June 2022.
Ms. West fundamentally believes “It is important to lead by example and not be afraid to share your mistakes with others. We learn from our mistakes. If I can help someone by sharing my failures and missteps; then I have done a good service.” She also believes “It is better not to make a vow, than to make a vow and break it.” If she makes a commitment to do something, it gets done!
Ms. West is the proud mother of two sons, Bakari and Amir.
Youth Voices Matter + New York Team
Morgan first started her work at a small wellness camp for inner-city children ages 12-18 to identify that there are options and resources available to them despite what they might have been told or even believed was possible for themselves. Being a mentee in, and then later a mentor for, this same program allowed her the opportunity to see how peer-to-peer advocacy and youth voice collaboratives can truly make huge impacts on sustainable change in various communities, and is what drove her to wanting to pursue a career in advocacy and human services after high school.
Since graduating, in 2021, she has continued to work in mental health and human services to aid in providing stellar resources so people can have easier access to the wellness and health care options they believe best fits their needs. Morgan has joined FOR-NY in hopes of continuing this same support in advocacy, de-stigmatization, and delivery of compassionate care to the youth in recovery.
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.