Eliza Zarka

Peter has over 30 years’ experience in the substance use disorder treatment and recovery field. He joined the Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP) in October 2010 as the Chief of the Recovery Branch and currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst contributing to the development and implementation of federal drug demand reduction policy. In this capacity, Peter provides expertise on a wide range of public health policy and regulatory issues, including peer services, peer-led organizational infrastructure, employment for people in recovery, and strategies for building recovery capital at the organizational and community levels. Peter helps develop the National Drug Control Strategy and leads cross-agency efforts to accomplish the governmentwide policy goals and objectives it establishes. Peter led efforts to develop the Recovery-Ready Workplace Resource Hub, an online repository of resources for employers, state and local governments hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit, which is available through the hub. He also provided input into the development of the Recovery-Ready Workplaces Model State Act.

Prior to joining ONDCP, Peter served as a senior associate at Altarum Institute and at Abt Associates Inc. where he provided technical assistance to states and tribes and the federal government. Earlier, he served as in leadership roles in state government; as a program director, family educator, and counselor in the addiction treatment field; as an English and French instructor; and, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina-Faso, West Africa.

As a person in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol, Peter works to raise awareness of addiction and recovery and to reduce the stigma and misunderstanding that contribute to social exclusion.

Peter holds master’s degree from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago and a BA in English from Marquette University. He also studied at the Université de Paris V (Académie Rene Descartes) and at the Université de Paris IV (La Sorbonne). He is the immediate past President of the Crown Family School Alumni Association Board.

Christopher M. Jones, Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., M.P.H. (RDML U.S. Public Health Service) currently serves as Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), acting Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, and Chief Science and Program Officer at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. RDML Jones brings a wealth of experience to SAMHSA having led substance use, mental health, and injury prevention policy, program, and research activities for more than a decade. Prior to becoming Director of CSAP, RDML Jones served as the director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During his career, RDML Jones has served in multiple leadership roles in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). RDML Jones maintains an active research portfolio and has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications on substance use, mental health, and injury prevention.

Nikki Sharp is the VP of Associate Wellbeing at Shaw Industries. Shaw is a global flooring company with 17k+ associates and is headquartered in Dalton, GA. Nikki has been at Shaw for 21 years. She has experience creating an innovative strategy for corporate health and wellness Total Rewards, while keeping a key focus on Associate Experience. Known for building innovative, data-driven behavioral health, global benefits, and workforce development initiatives across multi-country environments, Nikki is a trusted advisor to executive leadership and a recognized voice in national recovery and workplace wellbeing initiatives. She contributed to the White House Recovery-Ready Workplace initiative, led Shaw Industries Group, Inc. to become a nationally-certified Recovery Friendly Workplace, and is a frequent speaker on workforce wellbeing and recovery strategies.

Nikki also sponsors and leads the Behavioral Health strategy at Shaw to increase awareness, implement resources, and drive culture change to remove the stigma around behavioral health. She serves on the Advisory Council for the Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute and in partnership with The White House and the ONDCP.

Nikki has a passion for people and wants to cultivate a healthy culture and environment for associates to bring their whole selves to work.

Eliza Zarka is a national leader in advancing Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiatives and workforce-based approaches to substance use disorder. As Program Director of the National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute, she leads efforts to expand Recovery Friendly Workplace models nationwide, working with employers, state leaders, nonprofit organizations, and federal partners to implement recovery-supportive policies and practices. In her role, Eliza oversees national employer certification efforts, supports the development of state and local RFW initiatives, and helps operationalize the federal Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Prior to her work with the Institute, Eliza served as Addiction & Behavioral Health Coordinator for the New Hampshire Governor’s Office, where she worked on issues across the continuum of substance use disorder, including prevention, treatment, recovery, and the intersection of mental health. There, she contributed to the growth of New Hampshire’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative – the first of its kind in the nation.

Eliza is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic partnership development, and commitment to reducing stigma and strengthening workplace culture through recovery-inclusive practices. She regularly coordinates national webinars, stakeholder convenings, and cross-sector collaborations focused on workforce wellbeing and recovery support. Through her work, she has helped position employers as critical partners in addressing substance use disorder and advancing long-term recovery outcomes nationwide.

Eliza’s overall goal, professionally and personally, is to help people be well, get well, and stay well.