November 26, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Topic: Recovery Options Leadership Changes
Gowanda, NY….Recovery Options Made Easy CEO, Shannon Higbee, is leaving the organization in pursuit of a new role as Chief Strategy Officer for The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, a state and national policy organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of those who experience mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges.
Board Chair, Maya Hu-Morabito shared, “While we are saddened to have Shannon leave the organization for which she has played a key role in our growth, we are happy that she will be in a role that will allow us to continue our relationship. We wish Shannon the best as she takes the next step in her professional career development”.
Recovery Options’ Senior Clinical Director, Jennifer Levesque, LMHC, is stepping into the role of Interim CEO, as the Board and organization begin the search for a new CEO. Jennifer is a licensed mental health clinician with 15 years of experience in direct service delivery in the community. Her experience managing the respite and recovery programs at Recovery Options provides for a smooth transition as the organization selects a new CEO.
Jennifer’s background includes positions at Erie County Medical Center, community-based mental health services at Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Erie County Department of Mental Health and at Jewish Family Services. Central to Jennifer’s experience is her understanding of NYS regulations and compliance requirements critical to Recovery Options’ programming.
In addition, Jason Harle, CFO, and Matt Overfield, Controller, positions will realign to better provide for a growing organization delivering services over 10 counties. Jason Harle will become Recovery Options’ new COO and Matt Overfield will take the position of CFO.
Recovery Options Made Easy is a peer-run, not-for-profit organization providing multiple recovery support to individuals experiencing mental health concerns across 10 counties in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Regions. Recovery Options services include supportive housing, community-based recovery services, and crisis response programs including crisis respites and warmlines. In recognition of the complexities involved in addressing mental health distress, Recovery Options applies trauma-informed strategies focused on an individual’s needs, with the goals of de-escalating a mental health crisis, as well as aiding in lifelong recovery.
Visit www.recoveryopionsny.org for more information about Recovery Options Made Easy.
