Co-founder of the Release Foundation and CEO of Release Recovery, Zac maintains day-to-day operations of our program, including organizational expansion, staff development, fundraising and strategic planning. He’s Chairman of the New York Advisory Board for the Caron Foundation, where he himself received treatment for substance abuse. Zac has established philanthropic initiatives through the Clark Family and our Foundation.

Fun Facts

• South Jersey native
• Ran 10 marathons, including the coveted Goggins challenge

On the Release Foundation Board, Zachary helps with marathon fundraising strategies and initiatives. Skilled in negotiation, sales and networking, he is also the Senior Vice President at CBRE, Inc., the largest global commercial real estate firm. Zachary has been in this role for just shy of 15 years since graduating from the University of Maryland in May 2008.

Managing partner of Baum & Baum with over thirty years of accounting and financial services experience. Provides tax and accounting services for individuals, businesses and fiduciaries and with a specialty in personal taxation and employee compensation. Member of the New York State Society of Public Accountants.

Fun Facts

• New York City resident for 45 years
• Enjoys traveling and hiking

As a Board Member, Dorothy raises funds and builds a successful, strong Release community. She is also the Co-Founder of DEVLINHAIR Productions and Learning where she leads her company to double digits growth, builds and leads teams and develops and maintains strong client relationships.

Fun Facts

• Nickname is Dute–rhymes with cute
• Enjoys making people laugh with outrageous antics like dressing up in costumes
• Loves experiencing people’s creativity through art, dance, music and free expression

A community connector and motivator, Andrew helps us raise funds, build the Release Foundation community and advocate for recovery initiatives. When he’s not motivating our entire community to be their best selves, he works as a finance partner at a wealth management firm.

Fun Facts

• Cold brew enthusiast
• Voted Best Uncle 2022
• Slow runner, hack golfer

Hilary is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and recovery advocate who after a RAND study showed heavy drinking increased 41% among women during the pandemic and as statistics continue to demonstrate that men are more than twice as likely than women to seek treatment, felt compelled to share her own struggle with alcoholism and get more involved in the recovery community. Phelps has worked in media, marketing, and event management across a broad range of categories, in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Fun Facts

• An Ironman triathlete with certifications in yoga and pilates
• Served as a commentator at the 2012 London Olympics
• Has covered New York Fashion Week for multiple publications

Doug is an accomplished and energetic director and a motivated leader with strong organizational and prioritization abilities. His areas of expertise include people, processes, and communication.  As a person in long term recovery, Doug has been drawn to finding ways to use his own experiences in recovery to help others.

His career began in hospitality, where he spent over 15 years working in the Private Club side of ths industry at some of the most well renowed clubs in the country.  Doug serves on the advisory board for his alma mater, the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport, and Recreation Management at James Madison University.  In 2015, he was recognized with the Dolley Madison Award by the Hart School for his contributions to the program.

In 2017, as the result of a serious health scare, Doug got a new clarity and perspective for his life.  He took his volunteer role as a peer recovery coach and turned it into his full time passion by starting a recovery focused non-profit. That journey has led him to Release, where today Doug looks to share his passion for recovery and finding pathways to make recovery attainable and accessible for all!

Fun Facts

• Diehard Phish fan
• Grew up in Sunny Southern California
• 6-time Marathon finisher with more on the horizon

Margaret wears several hats with Release. She assists the Foundation with our NYC marathon fundraiser and provides bookkeeping services for our scholarships. She also works full-time at Release Recovery as a Client Support Specialist in the women’s residences and assists Founder Zac Clark with administrative projects. Margaret graduated from Stony Brook University with a background in Sociology with academics focused on Substance Abuse and Prevention.

Fun Facts

• Long Island native.
• Former D1 runner. Found out about Release through a running podcast.
• Has never eaten a hamburger or hot dog, but not a vegetarian.