Leadership
The NADAP leadership team is dedicated to fulfilling our mission to help all New Yorkers live a healthy, productive, and independent life.
John A. Darin
president & CEO
John Darin has more than 30 years of programmatic and administrative experience in the field of social services. Under his leadership as President and CEO since 1997, NADAP has grown from 16 employees serving 1,000 clients to almost 400 employees serving more than 35,000 clients annually in six locations and 23 satellite offices throughout New York City and Long Island. As President, John provides oversight and direction to the multi-service organization with an annual budget of $30 million dedicated to helping people with medical, behavioral health, employment and social service needs become self-sufficient.
John previously served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education. He is currently the Vice Chairman of The Coalition for Community Services and serves on the boards of The Coalition for Behavioral Health, Recovery Health Solutions, iHealth, Coordinated Behavioral Care, and Queens Coordinated Care Partners. Additional titles include Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, registered lobbyist in New York City and New York State, National Fellow Leader by Boston University’s Join Together National Fellow Leadership Program, and graduate from Bernard M. Baruch College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
John was honored at City & State NY’s 8th Annual Fifty Over 50 Awards in recognition of his lifetime commitment to helping underprivileged communities and changing people’s lives for the better.
Gary Stankowski
EVP, COO & CCO
Gary Stankowski currently serves as NADAP’s Executive Vice President, Chief Operation Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer. In his role, he oversees all operations, programs and contracts, including employment, case management, assessment and referral, and Health Homes Care Coordination services. Gary also manages the HR and IT departments. Since joining the organization in 1998, he’s worked closely with John Darin on strategic planning and business development, increasing NADAP’s revenue 20-fold.
Earlier in his career, Gary spent 15 years working in the public and private sector on design, delivery and management of programs and services for a variety of special-needs groups. He previously held positions at the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Beth Israel Medical Center, and Catholic Charities. Gary graduated from the New School University with a Master’s Degree in Health Administration.
Theresa McBurnie
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Theresa McBurnie joined NADAP in 2003 and now serves as the agency’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer. In her role, she supports the Chief Financial Officer in ensuring the financial integrity of the organization. She is responsible for managing and coordinating the daily operations of the Finance Department. Theresa is responsible for handling all reporting and communication with the Board of Directors, funders, and vendors, manages banking relationships, and she participates in the development of grant and other funding opportunities.
Prior to joining NADAP, Theresa served in several financial leadership positions in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She spent seven years as the Director of Finance at a multi-service supportive housing group of non-profit and limited liability companies, where she oversaw complex financial operations and participated in planning the agency’s significant growth. She was also the Vice President of Finance for a large community-based organization where she was involved in the development and implementation of their housing management operations. Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Theresa spent several years as an auditor in New York and Trinidad where she specialized in the non-profit, banking and housing sectors.
Theresa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from York University in Toronto, Canada, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from NYU School of Non-Profit Management.
Joseph Castelluccio
SVP
As the Senior Vice President, Joseph Castelluccio oversees several NADAP departments, including all operational and clinical aspects of the Substance Abuse Centralized Assessment Program—a high-volume assessment and referral program, and the Brooklyn-based Assessment Case Management and Employment Program (Project ACE). He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the fields of substance use disorder treatment, HIV/AIDS support services, and LGBTQ programming. Prior to joining NADAP, he provided strategic leadership in both the private and not-for-profit sectors of social services, including outpatient treatment, hospital-based programs, and community-based organizations.
Joseph is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in New York State and abroad, and a former adjunct lecturer in psychology and substance use studies at Marymount Manhattan College. He earned a BA in Psychology from NYU, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, and has conducted additional graduate studies at NYU and Columbia University School of Business.
Meryl Kordower
VP & Privacy Officer
Meryl Kordower is NADAP’s Vice President of Workforce Development and serves as the agency’s Privacy Officer. In her role, she oversees the Case Management and Employment Services Programs operated by NADAP, including the Comprehensive Employment Services, ACCES-VR and Career Pathways II programs in Manhattan, and the Nassau County Employment Services.
Meryl joined NADAP in April 2013, bringing with her more than 20 years of not-for-profit experience in the design, implementation and delivery of workforce development programs helping vulnerable New Yorkers become self-sufficient and independent. Her expertise includes performance-based contracting and business development; program administration; budget analysis and projection; human resources management and training; and quality assurance. Meryl holds a Master of Science degree from Hunter College.
Douglas Ostrov
Senior Director of Development and External Affairs
Doug Ostrov joined the NADAP team with 20 years of experience in fundraising, economic development and nonprofit management. For nine of those years, he directed the Financial Counseling Division at the New York Legal Assistance Group. Under Doug’s leadership, NYLAG evolved into one of the largest nonprofits of its kind, serving low-to-moderate income clients in New York City. Its financial growth has benefitted from a diverse mix of support from local government, corporations, private foundations and banking partners.
Prior to his time in NYC, Doug worked in economic development and project management in Washington D.C. There he served as a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as an analyst for the Federal Trade Commission. He also helped establish a savings and loan banking program for underserved women entrepreneurs during a two-year residency with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. Doug holds a BA in Economics and Spanish from Tufts University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He later earned an MA in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Dania Ramos
Director of HR
Dania Ramos joined NADAP in 2019 with more than 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field at nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In her role, Dania oversees all HR functions, including recruitment, talent development, performance management, employee relations and total rewards. Dania attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Archaeology and Theatre from Hamilton College. She holds certifications as a SPHR, SHRM-SCP and GBA.
Britta Muehlbach
Development & Grant Writing Consultation
Britta Muehlbach is responsible for NADAP’s business development through grants and contracts by identifying, analyzing and responding to funding opportunities that support and expand NADAP’s service portfolio. In addition, she also supports the organization’s marketing and communication efforts.
Britta’s career spans more than 20 years in the substance use disorder treatment field where she has gained clinical, research and program planning expertise. Prior to consulting with NADAP, Britta served as Vice President and Director of New Business and Program Planning at a national nonprofit agency. She holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Oldenburg University (Germany).
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1 in 10 New Yorkers is battling a substance use disorder — each with their own story of struggle, hope, and the possibility of recovery.
For over 50 years, NADAP has been a lifeline for those in recovery, conducting 1M+ assessments and connecting thousands to essential care. But the need is growing.
Donate by Dec. 31 to support our life-saving services: www.nadap.org/opioids/
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Make a gift today: www.nadap.org/opioids/
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today and every day, we’re grateful for your support. Because of you, thousands of New Yorkers are becoming healthy, productive, and self-sufficient.
Together, we’re transforming lives and building brighter futures.
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