Leadership Council

Gene is the Founder of the Addiction Research Institute. He served as CEO and board chairman for several healthcare companies, as well as a member of the board of trustees at Western University of Health Sciences, and is currently serving on the Board of Trustees at Scripps Health System. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and his master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters, LHD (HON) from Western University of Health Sciences. 

Maura Beyer worked in commercial film production in NYC before moving to Rumson, NJ in 2003. When her children began their education, she devoted her time to volunteering in the local schools, community recreation programs, RFHRHS Education foundation, the Running and Winning Workshop, and the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, as well as working part time at Pulleez, International. Maura was elected to serve on the Rumson School Districts Board of Education for 9 years and served on the Ranney School’s Education Committee for 3 years. She is currently on the Executive Board of the NJ Women’s Tennis League. While serving on the Rumson Board of Education she was involved in the implementation of the Two River Alliance and the Two River Competent Community, both of which secured resources for young people and families in need of support, whether it be for conversation or crisis. Maura is passionate about equal opportunity for every child in education, strongly believes in the importance of future generations to understand civic duty, and encourages all to use their voices. She and her husband have 3 adult sons and a daughter who is currently in the Army Reserves while attending college. 

Michael Bloom is an American entrepreneur and media executive with experience across global media companies, startup companies, and philanthropic organizations.

Bloom is the Founder & CEO of Topic Studios, the independent studio that makes critically acclaimed films, television, and podcasts, and has earned numerous Academy Awards®, Golden Globes, and Emmys. Select projects include Spotlight, A Real Pain, Spencer, Theater Camp, Leave No Trace, Wicker, Splitsville, 100 Foot Wave (HBO), and more.

Bloom has deep experience in philanthropy and has been part of The Omidyar Group since 2015.

Previously, Bloom was CEO, Guardian News & Media, North America, and held leadership roles at MTV/Viacom/Paramount, AOL Time Warner, and built and sold multiple internet companies.

Bloom is a student of meditation and contemplative practices and the pursuit of human flourishing. He is a fierce advocate for youth mental health and rescue dogs and, as an avid drummer, having failed to make it professionally, has resorted to local dad bands.

Creighton is CEO for Partnership to End Addiction, the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis. Building on over 30 years of research and policy experience, Partnership focuses on addressing substance use early by informing and equipping families and professionals with tools and resources.     

Creighton has dedicated his career to empowering young people.  He has served as: Executive Director for Covenant House New York and Senior Vice President for Covenant House International; Assistant Attorney General for Gang Prevention for the State of New Jersey; President for New Jersey Community Development Corporation; a civil rights attorney with the law firm of Lowenstein Sandler; and Assistant State Director for U.S. Senator Bill Bradley.  

Creighton received his B.A. from Rutgers where he was captain of the Men’s Varsity Basketball team and his J.D. from University of Virginia.  He lives in New Jersey with his wife and three children.  

Bob Gold is one of the world’s leading behavioral technologists with more than 20 years applied research and development in the behavioral and cognitive science of human motivation, activation and resiliency; with a specialty in the design of clinical care plans and digital therapeutics that integrate “brain health”, pyscho-social factors and personal determinants into behavioral health and substance use treatment and recovery care plans for chronic and complex population health management; with a focus in diversity, equity, and inclusion for underserved vulnerable populations.  

Bob focuses his energy on recrafting clinical care plans and medication therapies into behaviorally-based remote care coordination, transitions of care, and rehabilitation/recovery digital therapy programs to achieve a sustainable population health business model for health systems, health plans, employers, life science companies and governments. The science and system of care that Bob has developed has and is used by over 20 million lives around the world.  

Bob’s evidence-based methods provide an individualized, disciplined and nurturing experience within the framework of a person’s lifestyle and typical day while improving satisfaction and adherence; especially for complex and chronic conditions that include co-morbidities and difficult to navigate patient health journeys.   

Bob’s BehavioralRx® and Concierge Care® system has also shown to bring back Joy in Practice for doctors and nurses enabling them to spend more time on high impact clinical work.  

Kristen Rolfes Hall combines Wall Street, philanthropic, and community leadership experience with a deep commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. After earning her MBA from Columbia Business School in 1998, she began her career in equity research at Deutsche Bank covering e-commerce, later working for a family office identifying investments in life sciences, defense technology, and media, telecom & technology. She then joined Linden Trust for Conservation, focusing on water quality research and market-based approaches to national policy reform.

For nearly 20 years, Kristen has led local environmental and educational initiatives. She served on the Millburn Environmental Commission, earning the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 2010, and currently chairs the Rumson Environmental Commission, which has achieved Sustainable Jersey Silver certification, secured $36,000 in grants, founded the Rumson Junior Green Team, and earned ANJEC’s 2023 Environmental Achievement Award. Kristen also founded multiple school environmental groups and serves on several nonprofit boards as well as founding a luxury travel business focused on sustainable travel.

She lives in Rumson with her husband, John, and their two amazing sons, Jack & Reed.

Terry is an internist, addictionologist, researcher, teacher, and thought leader over the last 3 decades has pioneered models of addiction care in various settings including health systems, treatment programs, and prisons.  More recently, he worked as Vice President of Patient Insights and Advocacy at Indivior, a global specialty pharma helping to innovate technologies, models of care, and collaborative relationships with leading academic centers, though leaders, and advocacy groups.

Terry received his B.A. from Brown University and his M.D, from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.  He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and 2 dogs and is the father of 4 adult children.

Marshall Lynch is passionate about building community, fostering creativity, and advancing lifelong learning. She has served on the boards of St. Catherine’s School, St. James Children’s Center, and the VNA of New Jersey, and runs the TurtlePond Foundation. Marshall also partners with Urban Hope to purchase and renovate homes, helping families transition out of public housing. Inspired to deepen connections and collaboration, she founded Meet You Here, which creates curated experiences to bring people together and “carry it forward.” 

A Richmond, VA native and Hamilton College graduate, Marshall began her career in New York City at the Morgan Library and HarperCollins. Now splitting her time between Virginia and New Jersey, she enjoys volunteering, gardening, flower arranging, felting, painting, reading, and hosting events that inspire creativity and connection. 

Suzanne Rubin, a Long Island native and 2005 graduate of Fordham University, began her professional career in New York City, working in wealth management at Smith Barney and the Citi Private Bank. During this time, she served on the board of the McCarton Foundation and participated in the Autism Speaks to Wall Street Celebrity Chef’s Gala, reflecting her early commitment to causes impacting children and families.

Now a resident of Rumson, New Jersey, Suzanne has devoted her time to raising her four children—Jack, Cate, Clare, and Grant—while remaining deeply engaged in her community.  She has supported a variety of local organizations, including the Rumson Country Day School, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, and several youth athletic programs.

In recent years, Suzanne has developed a strong interest in youth mental health and addiction awareness.  She is passionate about reducing stigma, supporting intervention, and advocating for resources that promote emotional well-being among adolescents and families.

An avid skier and tennis player, Suzanne embraces any opportunity to be active outdoors with her family.  She lives in Rumson with her husband, Shawn, and their four children.

Lauren Sisler is a national award-winning sports broadcaster who has been captivating audiences with her insightful coverage on ESPN since 2016. As a sportscaster and former collegiate gymnast, Lauren is passionate about sports, but even more passionate about telling the stories of the coaches, athletes, and fans who make it more than a game. 

Lauren’s journey took an unexpected turn during her freshman year at Rutgers University when she lost both of her parents within hours of each other to their hidden battle with prescription drug addiction. Through unimaginable grief she found her voice, choosing to confront stigma, share her story, and inspire others to find strength in vulnerability. 

“I carried that shame until I finally realized I wouldn’t let the pain I harbored define me, just like it didn’t define my parents.” 

Today, Lauren uses the power of storytelling to spark conversations around addiction, mental health, resilience, and recovery. Her book, Shatterproof, shines a light on the hope and healing that can emerge from even the darkest of circumstances. 

With a commitment to creating lasting change and encouraging others to own their stories, Lauren is proud to serve on the Rutgers Addiction Research Center Advisory Council, honoring her roots and helping to drive forward conversations that matter.