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Who We Ares2global2026-05-14T17:00:38-04:00
  • Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D., D.F.A.S.A.M.
    Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D., D.F.A.S.A.M.
    Founding chair of Foundation for Opioid Response Effort (FORE)
  • Tom Berkery
    Tom Berkery
    GRI Chair - Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers; CPA
  • Nyla Christian
    Nyla Christian
    Executive Director, Center for African American Recovery Development; Founder, LivingWell Project 
  • Sean Dugan
    Sean Dugan
    GRI Vice Chair - Sober Companion/Recovery Coach, Next Level Recovery Services
  • Matt Escoubas
    Matt Escoubas
    Director of FMG SERV, Fors Marsh Group
  • Jonathan Ghent
    Jonathan Ghent
    WritLarge founder, public relations and corporate communications practitioner, leader, and innovator.
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Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D., D.F.A.S.A.M.
Founding chair of Foundation for Opioid Response Effort (FORE)

Andrea Grubb Barthwell, M.D., D.F.A.S.A.M., is the Founder of Encounter Medical Group, P.C., she manages and consults through the global health care policy firm, EM Global, and is Director at Two Dreams, a comprehensive alcoholism and addiction treatment system.  Reflecting her long-term commitment to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), she was named as the founding Chair of the Board of the Foundation for Opioid Response Effort (FORE) with a $100 million endowment.

Dr. Barthwell served as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction in the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) under President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2004. As a member of the President’s sub-cabinet, Dr. Barthwell was a principal advisor on policies aimed at reducing the demand for illicit drugs.

Dr. Barthwell’s current work is focused on developing strategies to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder, expanding practitioner knowledge of urine drug testing in the identification and treatment of substance use disorders, and helping individuals and families prevent substance use disorders.

Dr. Barthwell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School.  Following post-graduate training at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University Medical Center, she began her practice in the Chicago area.  She was a founding member of the Chicago Area AIDS Task Force, hosted a weekly local cable show on AIDS, and was president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

In 2003, Dr. Barthwell received the Betty Ford Award from the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse.  In 1997, Dr. Barthwell’s peers named her one of the “Best Doctors in America” in addiction medicine.

Tom Berkery
GRI Chair - Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers; CPA

Tom Berkery is a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he serves in their Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services (CMAAS) group.

Tom helps advise large corporations, private equity investors, and investment bankers on complex accounting and financial reporting issues associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other corporate finance transactions.

He is a CFA charter holder, and a licensed CPA in the state of New York. He currently lives in Brooklyn.

Nyla Christian
Executive Director, Center for African American Recovery Development; Founder, LivingWell Project 

Executive Director, Center for African American Recovery Development; Founder, LivingWell Project 

As Executive Director of the Center for African American Recovery Development and the Founder of the LivingWell Project, Nyla Christian brings her profound personal experience and professional expertise to  drive significant advancements in recovery advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nyla is a Nationally Certified Intervention Professional, Peer Recovery Specialist, and Life Empowerment Coach. She has been a vocal advocate for women, focusing on social advocacy, peer leadership, and providing life-building support for women in underserved communities. Her role as the Founder and CEO of Life Inspired Development has been instrumental in guiding stakeholders in building community-based, inclusive and culturally congruent support programs for behavioral health and wellness.

Nyla’s educational journey includes studies at Wesleyan University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and certifications from The Addictions Academy and NAADAC. She has been recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Civic League and has made significant contributions as the Lead of the City of Las Vegas’ Mayor’s Faith Initiative Addiction & Recovery Task Force. Currently, she holds a position on the board of directors for both the Vegas Stronger Coalition and Los Angeles’ Painted Brain, reinforcing her dedication to empowering community voices.

A passionate music enthusiast and talented dancer, Nyla cherishes her marriage to her college sweetheart and delights in their three remarkable sons’ global adventures. Additionally, she dedicates her time to mentoring women all over the country, guiding them in personal growth and helping them realize their dreams.

Recognized as a powerful keynote and inspirational speaker, Nyla Christian panels as an industry subject matter expert and conference moderator dedicated to creating positive change through her advocacy in recovery coaching, training, education, community cultural awareness, and social advocacy.

Sean Dugan
GRI Vice Chair - Sober Companion/Recovery Coach, Next Level Recovery Services

Sean Dugan is a professional in the recovery field. His own chemical dependency recovery spans over 30 years and continues with a fervent passion to share his experience, strength and hope through his dedication and commitment.

A graduate of Long Beach State University with a major in Television and Radio, he has held jobs in many communication capacities.

Currently, Sean manages his own consultant business, Next Level  Recovery Services with other associates, all with long term years of sobriety.

Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation supports trailblazing and innovative techniques and methods to continue and evolve its success in this field. Similarly,
Sean through his extensive sober experience compliments these efforts by his own open-minded approach to recovery.

Matt Escoubas
Director of FMG SERV, Fors Marsh Group

Matt Escoubas is the Director of Social Impact at FORS Marsh, a research-first communications agency. With over 25 years of experience in marketing communications across federal, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, Matt leads Serve, the company’s employee-driven division addressing systemic social inequities.

His primary focus is improving recovery services and support for individuals with substance use disorders. Matt spearheads a multi-year research investment aimed at mobilizing public and private organizations to prioritize workplace recovery initiatives. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with multiple federal health agencies, including HHS, SAMHSA, NIDA, CDC, ONDCP, FDA, and NIAAA, on public health campaigns spanning substance use, heart disease, asthma, smoking cessation, nursing research, and pediatric palliative care.

A purpose-driven leader, Matt’s efforts have garnered numerous public health industry accolades, such as the PR News Platinum Award, Bronze Anvil Award, National Health Information Awards, and Thoth Awards. He serves on the board of the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation (GRI) and is an active member of Al-Anon. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The George Washington University.

Jonathan Ghent
WritLarge founder, public relations and corporate communications practitioner, leader, and innovator.

WritLarge founder Jonathan Ghent has spent more than 25 years as a public relations and corporate communications practitioner, leader, and innovator. Throughout his career, he has been a trusted advisor and principal strategist for senior executives with some of the world’s most iconic brands.

Ghent has excelled in a variety of disciplines, including public relations, employee communications, marketing communications, and video production. He has enjoyed working in fast-paced, highly competitive environments, such as the National Basketball Association, Xerox Corporation, Kodak Alaris, Common Ground Health and for clients including the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ghent earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is currently a member of Rochester Institute of Technology’s Advertising & Public Relations Advisory Board.

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