My approach to leadership is grounded in humility, lived experience, and a deep belief in the power of community. I see leadership not as authority, but as stewardship, creating the conditions where people, relationships, and ideas can take root and grow. The most meaningful change rarely begins in institutions; it begins with individuals who have been overlooked and communities that refuse to give up on one another.
My perspective on how we support people who use drugs and those in or seeking recovery is shaped by this same lens. Too often, our systems treat addiction as an individual failure rather than a reflection of broader social, economic, and structural conditions. I believe our nation must move beyond fragmented responses and toward a more compassionate, coordinated continuum of care, one that centers dignity, values lived experience, and invests in community-driven solutions.
Real progress happens when we strengthen the ecosystem around people: peers, families, community organizations, institutions, and public systems working together. When we treat the soil through building trust, seeking collaboration, and creating opportunity, we cultivate environments where recovery, healing, and belonging can flourish.
Jarmichael Harris (He/Him) is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Engage Recovery, a premier consulting firm specializing in innovating recovery approaches, empowering leaders, and transforming systems to better serve the world. Under his leadership, Engage Recovery has become a trusted partner to national and international organizations, driving transformative change in addiction recovery systems and empowering underserved communities through strategic innovation and equity-focused solutions.
As Director of Scholastic Recovery for the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, Mr. Harris oversees statewide initiatives to advance collegiate recovery programs, strengthen prevention strategies, and build sustainable frameworks that support long-term recovery for young adults. Recognized as a thought leader, he has earned numerous accolades for his pioneering work, including the Museum of African American Addictions Treatment and Recovery’s Inaugural ‘Rising Star’ Award (2023), the ECU ‘40 Under Forty' Leadership Award (2022), and the ARHE ‘Collegiate Recovery Staff Member of the Year’ Award (2017).
A two-time alumnus of East Carolina University, Mr. Harris brings his passion for education into the classroom as an Adjunct Professor, where he equips the next generation of professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical expertise. His innovative teaching approaches, including experiential learning and strategic prevention planning, reflect his commitment to advancing the field through education.
Raised in Salisbury, North Carolina, Mr. Harris is an outdoor enthusiast who finds inspiration in nature and quality time with his wife and two children. His vision, grounded in authenticity and driven by purpose, has positioned him as a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives, building equity, and shaping the future of recovery on a global scale.
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