About Us
Mission Statement
TriCircle is a nonprofit organization that provides resources for individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease of addiction. Through education and community engagement, it is dedicated to providing the tools that build strong futures.
Vision Statement
TriCircle envisions that all people seeking recovery be given inspiration, skills, and opportunities within a safe, stigma free environment
supporting substance free, long- term wellness.
About TriCircle
Since its inception, TriCircle has surpassed many milestones. Now, we have reached a pivotal point in our evolution as an organization.
TriCircle has changed the conversation about substance use disorders by providing much needed services. We have evolved into a substantial force for good through hard work, determination, and the support of the community. Many milestones achieved include strengthening our brand, recruiting talented professionals, establishing new connections, collaborating with strong partners, holding multiple community engagement events, and hosting educational webinars!
In Connecticut, TriCircle has established clinical services, opened a resource center, and hosted in person and virtual Hope & Support Groups as well as Hope After Loss Groups in towns across the state. These free meetings are staffed by qualified professionals, committed to our cause.
Together WE are Stronger! As we fully engage our communities in this conversation, we strengthen our presence and clearly demonstrate what our mission and vision brings to the table. We are dedicated to creating real, long-term solutions for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders and the disease of addiction. We will not stop until we reach full implementation.
Meet the Founder
Ana M. Gopoian
Founder and Executive Director of TriCircle
Found Recovery July 13, 1995
Ana has a strong personal commitment to explore multiple pathways for recovery and treatment options. She continues to cultivate resources to create continuity to connect individuals and their families to sustainable long-term options.
Growing up on the west side of Wallingford (Yalesville), CT, Ana experienced trauma and went on to manage and self-medicate herself, losing her way in life at a young age, leading her down a path that wasn’t conducive to meeting healthy social norms. Despite her misguided experiences and adversities, she is now enjoying success in many areas in life. Ana has been identifying herself as a woman in recovery for many years, which means she hasn’t misused substances, including alcohol, since July 13, 1995.
Ana has had the honor of doing service work in many communities across Connecticut and has shared her recovery story both nationally and internationally. Ana has a very colorful and motivating way of sharing her journey, leaving her audiences hopeful and inspired.
A believer that success cannot be achieved alone, Ana strives for win-win outcomes. Her diverse network has aided her in helping many people. Humble and open to opportunities to learn about the disease of addiction, she has remained an asset to those affected by substance use disorders and possible co-occurring mental health challenges.
After 26 years in a corporate career, Ana has transitioned all her energies into TriCircle, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This company was created to support needed change, build solutions, while providing support, education, and resources needed in all Connecticut communities. Ana believes that bringing TriCircle to full implementation will fulfill her lifetime purpose to serve.
Ana integrates complementary methodology and techniques to help individuals effectively address their life challenges. She supports families, loved ones and communities across the state who are affected by addiction as well as the families that have had a loved one(s) die due to a drug related passing. Ana will continue to find solutions, and resources needed to thrive in life.
At the age of 42, with 10 years of recovery, Ana enrolled in college for the first time. Years later, education still drives her passion and purpose. She has had the privilege of sharing her recovery story in many places. Ana has also been documented as part of the “I Am Not Anonymous” project.
More recently, Ana was given the opportunity the participate in the documentary, “Silence on the Streets” and share a piece of TriCircle Restoration LLC’s educational tool, “The 169 Paraphernalia Walking Project.” Everyone Knows Someone and each of the 169 towns of CT have been affected.
Ana regularly says that the shame, guilt, isolation, and stigma that surrounds individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction is just as detrimental as the disease itself. The opposite of addiction is connection, and Together WE are Stronger!
Meet the Board of Directors
Colette Anderson, LCSW
Chairperson
Colette comes to us rich with experience in the field of mental health and substance use. She was the Executive Director of The Connecticut Women’s Consortium where she led statewide and national conferences for the service system.
Prior to that she spent 35 years working in behavioral health for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction services. Her expertise is vast and varied. She has led key initiatives for CT and is also an experienced trainer. Colette was awarded the National Association of Social Workers – CT Social Worker of the Year in 2016.
Her passion and experience is a perfect fit for her new role as Board Chair and we are very excited about what Colette will bring to the TriCircle table.
While Colette is not a person in recovery, she has many years of experience working with individuals and families in recovery and suffered the heartbreaking loss of a nephew from opioids 7 years ago.
Colette is married and the proud mother of two grown girls and has four beautiful grandchildren who mean the world to her! TriCircle could not be happier to have Colette leading our team!
Lamar Terrell
Vice-President
Lamar Terrell, TriCircle’s Board of Directors Vice-President, is a passionate advocate for families, dedicated to establishing vital resources for communities. A proud Army veteran, he served with distinction in the fight against terrorism, defending his country with unwavering commitment. Throughout his career, Lamar has embodied the values of service, leadership, and resilience.
A devoted father and husband, he has always prioritized his family’s well-being while working tirelessly for the betterment of others. His journey has been one of growth and service from his roots as a public-school graduate to becoming a union representative, a political candidate, and ultimately a small business owner. Through each phase of his career, Lamar has demonstrated his deep commitment to community development, supporting both families and local businesses.
With a strong belief in the power of autodidacticism, collaboration, and hard work, Lamar continues to advocate for policies and resources that uplift families and build stronger communities for future generations.
Jeff Russitano
Treasurer
Jeff Russitano is the Board Treasurer and a seasoned financial professional with over 35 years of experience in both personal and corporate finance, including leadership roles at organizations such as UnitedHealthcare Group and ESPN. A Connecticut native, Jeff specializes in retirement planning, with a focus on dividend and interest-bearing strategies designed to help clients generate reliable income, manage risk, and build a retirement plan they won’t outlive.
Jeff is deeply committed to financial education and community outreach. He regularly leads workshops on topics such as Investing for Income and Required Minimum Distributions – empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future.
Originally from Monroe, Jeff now lives in Wallingford, Connecticut with his wife and their two adult children. He graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and later earned his MBA with a concentration in Business from the University of Phoenix.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys traveling, golfing, skiing, and exploring his passion for cooking. Above all, he values time with his family, who remain the cornerstone of his life.
Eric Montanile
Secretary
Previously, Eric designed and led family self-sufficiency initiatives, building programs from the ground up and managing caseloads of over 100 households with measurable success. He is skilled in budgeting, program design, coalition building, and compliance with HUD and federal housing guidelines. Eric holds a BA in Psychology and Business Management from Central Connecticut State University and maintains multiple certifications in housing management and program administration.
Maura Mooney
Board Member
Maura Mooney is a paraprofessional at Clermont & Associates, LLC. Previously, she worked as a paraprofessional for Levitsky & Berney, P.C. for 38 years. She has helped a wide variety of clients throughout New England. Her areas of expertise are setting up the bookkeeping process, tax return preparation, payroll, 1099 filings, financial statements, and other legal filings and forms. Maura is excited to be part of TriCircle’s mission and is looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors.
Rachel Ciarello
Board Member
Rachel Ciarello has a background focused in senior care. During her 25 years in the field, she has helped to raise awareness, develop strategic partnerships, build collaborations, encourage growth, oversee programs and educate future healthcare providers.
She currently serves as the Regional Director of Business Development & Recruitment at Excel Academy CT and is the Co-Founder and Board Advisor at Endurance Home Care in Stamford.
Her goal as a TriCircle Board Member is to assist with Marketing, Fundraising and Outreach. She has a real passion for helping people who are affected with mental health challenges and the disease of addiction.
Meet Our Clinicians
Jonathan Beazley
Jonathan Beazley, LADC, LMFT, is the Alcohol and Other Drug Interventionist at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus, and has served in this role since 2009. He is a licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Connecticut and has been in the field of behavioral health since 1979. He earned his BA in Psychology at Penn State University and completed his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University. Throughout his career he has served in numerous clinical and supervisory roles across the spectrum of organizations treating mental health and substance use. He is a frequent presenter and educator on subjects associated with substance use disorders and other mental health issues. Finally, he is the co-author of the 2018 book: Cannabis on Camps: Changing the Dialogue in the Wake of Legalization.
Supportive Professionals
Support Group Facilitators, Licensed Professionals:
- Jonathan Beazley, LMFT, LADC
- Bill Buller, LMSW, LADC
- Christina Caputo, LMFT
- Margaret O’Hagan Lynch, LPC
- Karen Zebrowski, LCSW
Support Group Facilitators, Paraprofessionals:
- Karen Bernetti
- Bill Buller, LMSW, LADC
- Ken Cairns
- Ana M. Gopoian
- Paula LaJoie
- Julie Lyons
- Daisy Olivio
- Melanie Tarr, RSS
- Asia Velazquez
Committees and Other Supports
Media & Events Committee
- Melissa Gionfriddo
- Ceci Iliff
- Lenore McLean
Memorial Scholarship Committee
- Elizabeth Guidone
- Julie Lyons
- Alison Meade
Other Supports
- Robert Gollnick, CPA
- Adam Hechler, IT Support
- John Daviau, John Daviau Consulting, LLC
- Lenore McLean