Meet Your Presenters

Presenting – Moving to a Space of Belonging

Dr. Smith-Wilson brings over 20 years of human service and addiction experience and currently serves as the Executive Director of Friends of Recovery-New York. Angelia’s career spans across working with human service agencies that have served individuals with mental health, substance use, residential, and homeless issues. She has worked as an intensive case manager, a primary therapist, a director of client services and eventually progressing to level of vice president throughout the greater Rochester area.

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, with efforts of providing guidance in the area of diversity and inclusion in counselor development.

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 in the MSW program and a variety of undergraduate courses.

Angelia is currently a member of Black Faces, Black Voices, and on the national CAPRRS Advisory Committee for Faces and Voices of Recovery. She is also a founding board member of Girls Beyond Inc.

 

Presenting: Minor Adjustments: Leadership Keys!

Michael is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers, ministers, and teachers when it comes to recovering from substance use disorders and criminal lifestyles.

On the mission to change the lives of struggling ones, Michael himself has struggled with a substance use disorder and criminal lifestyle for 22 years, however, he has turned that into an inspirational journey from substance use disorder to a 10-time Published Author, Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Co-Founder of the Minor Adjustments Program and also the Regional Director for NJAPA which is the NAADAC New Jersey Affiliate. Michael is very inspirational and motivational, and aims to help the ones looking for a way out from substance use disorder and criminal lifestyle.

 

Presenting: Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) For Addictions: Finding Freedom from Unwanted Patterns

Eve Ellsworth (she/her) is a person in long-term recovery from addiction and mental health disorders. She is the Coordinator for the New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse, a team member with Consumer Connections at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, where she also serves as the leader for PRIDE Team. Eve is a CPRS Trainer, Consumer Connections Core Trainer, Master Trainer of Digital Peer Support, and Copeland Center Certified Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator.

After years of disability, Eve reclaimed her wellness and began her journey into the world of peer work and training. At an age when most people are readying themselves for retirement, with over four years of part-time employment, Eve accepted a full-time position and promotion into her current position.

 

Presenting: Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) For Addictions: Finding Freedom from Unwanted Patterns

Kelly is the Assistant Director of Education and Outreach with the New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse and Consumer Connections at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. She is certified by the Copeland Center as an Advanced Level WRAP® Facilitator (ALWF), is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), and a Master Digital Peer Support Trainer.

Kelly has worked in various direct service settings in community mental health and is committed to providing effective education and support to the peer workforce and the support group facilitators throughout New Jersey. Kelly also takes pride in providing education to the public, promoting self-care and self-advocacy through Wellness Recovery Action Planning and Psychiatric Advanced Directive.

 

Presenting: Self-care and Healthy Boundaries: The Antidote to Burnout

Jenna is a person in sustained recovery from a substance use disorder since 2008 and is a Peer Recovery Workforce Development Trainer at New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN). Jenna has extensive knowledge of the development, implementation, and growth of peer recovery support services within the state of New Jersey, and has previous supervisory experience in hospital-based peer recovery support programs, where she assisted in the integration of peer supports within multidisciplinary care teams.

Jenna is a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) and has earned the National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (NDCCDP) designation. In addition, she holds an associate degree in Arts & Humanities from Brookdale Community College.

 

Presenting: Self-care and Healthy Boundaries: The Antidote to Burnout

Timothy lives in New Jersey with his wife, Abigail, and their two rabbits. He loves to play basketball, write, spend time with family and friends, and, most importantly, use his experiences and knowledge to help others.

He graduated from Rutgers University with his BASW in 2018 and MSW in 2019. In 2020, he became a published author when his debut memoir Chronic Junkie: A Story of Addiction, Despair, Unconditional Love, Hope, and Triumph was released. He currently works with New Jersey Prevention Network as a Trainer in their Peer Department.

 

Presenting: The War on Drugs: 150 Years of Oppression & Community Devastation

John A MacDonald, “Mac,” is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He treats substance use and co-occurring disorders at The Counseling Center at Robbinsville. Addiction treatment and policy is his passion. His contributions to the fields of mental health counseling and law are recognized in Who’s Who in America.

He has a BA in Urban Studies at Rutgers-Newark and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers-Newark Law School. Later, he earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, addictions minor, at The College of New Jersey. He taught a graduate-level course in addictions treatment at Adelphia University. He is past president of the NJ Mental Health Counselors Association. He regularly presents CEU conferences. He is an energetic presenter and encourages audience participation.

Presenting:Having Data Tell Your Story: The Benefits of Mixed-Methods Research

Reyna is the Manager of Evaluation at the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR). Reyna is trained in public health and epidemiology and specializes in quantitative research methods. She conducts prevention and recovery research at IFPR, with a focus on health equity and social determinants of health, substance use prevention, and recovery support services.

Presenting:Having Data Tell Your Story: The Benefits of Mixed-Methods Research

Brittany is the Manager of Research and Development at the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR). Brittany is trained in medical anthropology and public health and specializes in qualitative research methods. She conducts both prevention and recovery research at IFPR, with a focus on health equity and social determinants of health, substance use prevention, and recovery support services.

Presenting: The Intersection of Recovery and Harm Reduction: Revising the Substance Use Spectrum

Heather is a woman in long-term recovery from Substance Use Disorder and mental health issues since 2010. She is a certified peer in both mental health and addictions, as well as a counselor intern with a BA in Psychology. Heather assisted in the planning and launch of a peer-led recovery center and several emergency room peer programs, as well as spent time working in Assertive Community Treatment and as a counselor.

She is the Training Coordinator for NCAAR-BH, where she is able to help people change the narrative from addiction and illness to wellness and recovery. Currently Heather is working as a Linkage Coordinator with the OAG and DOH on the Operation Helping Hand initiatives across NJ, providing resources and information to the many sectors that address SUD.

Presenting: Integrating Self Care & Basic Meditation into Your Work Week

Carlita is a woman in long-term recovery for over 30 years. She is immensely involved with serving others and over the years has focused primarily in giving back to the recovery community. She is a member of NAADAC and a NCPRSS in good standing. She currently serves as the Peer Liaison for New Jersey Addiction Professionals Association. (NJAPA). She currently works at COPE CENTER/Oaks Integrated Care as Peer Recovery Specialist Lead and oversees the Peer Recovery department and is the Case Manager for the contingency program. She is well known in various communities as a person with a heart for serving and a compassionate leader.

Presenting: Another Tool for the CPRS Toolbox: Addressing Public & Structural Stigma through Advocacy

Caroline is the Northern Region NJ Opioid Overdose Prevention Program Coordinator at Prevention is Key/Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success (CARES). She is a person in recovery and is dedicated to intervening and advocating for individuals who struggle with substance use disorder in her community, with the goal of making long-term recovery possible. Her hope is to bring her passion for recovery and unbiased attitude to CARES by providing a safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental environment.

Presenting: Another Tool for the CPRS Toolbox: Addressing Public & Structural Stigma through Advocacy

Kelly is the Recovery Services Project Coordinator at Prevention is Key/ Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success (CARES). She is an advocate for people who use drugs, focusing on harm reduction. Through her many years of personal and professional experience she has become a trusted resource for people who use drugs (PWUD) in her community & hopes to extend the use of harm reduction strategies everywhere.

Presenting: Another Tool for the CPRS Toolbox: Addressing Public & Structural Stigma through Advocacy

Stephanie is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Ramapo College of New Jersey and Convener of the Minor in Substance Use Disorders. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), with lived experience and over 25-years of experience working in the community with people managing mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Sarabia is trained in various research-informed approaches, and she values the perspectives of other countries to engage students in broadening their perspectives. Her scholarship focus is substance use and social justice.

Presenting: Sisters on the Block: Starting & Running Grassroots Community Organizations

Stephani is a woman in long-term recovery with almost three decades of sustained recovery and over 25 years of experience in varied social community activism and organizing. Her day job is the Principal Planner for the City of Trenton and is committed to the development of and land issues with a focus on social equity within the City of Trenton; and she the Founder in Residence of a company called Recovery is Essential (RIE), where she is creating a movement “to create safe spaces for those who are living a Clean and Sober life” which is her passion-project.

She is also an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she is the Worship Director and a Certified Evangelist. Stephani is a native Trentonian and takes pleasure in her City where she was born and raised. She is the proud mother of three beautiful adult women, and she is also a happy Grandmother called “Nani” of six beautiful grandchildren.

Presenting: Sisters on the Block: Starting & Running Grassroots Community Organizations

Minister Seymoure is the Chief Executive Officer of Beauty for Ashes. She is a motivational speaker, peer recovery specialist, and group facilitator. Minister Seymoure is certified in trauma and substance use disorder where she uses her talent and skillset to care and comfort women for self-care. She is also a motivational speaker throughout the Essex County areas and serves her community well.

Presenting: Sisters on the Block: Starting & Running Grassroots Community Organizations

Ruby is a proud woman living in recovery from her substance use disorder. Ruby is also a survivor of childhood sexual assault and adult domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Ruby worked in the medical field for 30+ years as both a certified nursing assistant and a certified medical assistant. Ruby also spent 20+ years as a resource parent.

Ruby has always had a passion for helping, and after initiating her own recovery, she wanted to give back specifically to those in or seeking recovery. As such, the last 5 years, she has spent working in the addiction recovery space, including opening up her own non-profit organization, Ruby’s Vision, which focuses on supporting unhoused women, children, and at-risk families