Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Christopher Kennedy Lawford spent 20 years in the film and television industries. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, Symptoms of Withdrawal (2005) and Moments of Clarity (2009).

In recovery for more than 25 years from drug addiction, Lawford campaigns tirelessly on behalf of the recovery community. He presently works with the United Nations, the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse, the White House Office on Drug Control Policy, and the World Health Organization.  In 2011, Lawford was named Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime to promote activities supporting drug treatment, care and recovery. He also serves as national advocacy consultant for Caron Treatment Centers. Lawford holds a Master’s certification in clinical psychology from Harvard Medical School—where he held an academic appointment as a lecturer in psychiatry.

Howard Shaffer

Howard Shaffer is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is also the Director of the Division on Addiction at The Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator on a variety of government and foundation sponsored research projects. 

In addition to an active private practice, Dr. Shaffer consults internationally to a variety of organizations in business, education, human services, and government. He is the founder of the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders, which represents the first international credentialing body for clinicians working in the addictive disorders.

Patrick J. Kennedy

Patrick Joseph Kennedy II became the youngest member of his family to hold elected office when, in 1988, he won election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives at age 21. After serving two terms in the House serving District 9 in Providence, Kennedy went on to serve 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Rhode Island’s First District. He is the co-founder of The Next Frontier Campaign: One Mind for Research dedicated to dramatic enhancements in funding and collaboration in research across all brain disorders. Kennedy speaks as a visiting professor to both Rutgers and Brown University and is on the national advisory committee for Active Minds, a student advocacy group focused on changing the conversation about mental health on college campuses.