Rob Zellner is more than just a person with lived experience, he’s a dedicated advocate, mentor, and leader in peer support. With over eight years of experience in the field, Rob has used his lived experience to empower others in recovery and shape the future of peer services.

 

An experienced trainer, Rob serves as a consultant and instructor, where he helps strengthen the peer workforce through education and mentorship. His work has supported initiatives such as Justice and Recovery Advocates, Inc., Alternative Drug & Alcohol Counseling (ADAC), and the Harm Reduction and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in Washington County, Maryland.

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Rob previously served as Director of Client Services and Methadone Coordinator at Awakenings Recovery Center, where he worked directly with individuals navigating opioid use disorder and medication-assisted treatment. His passion for community-based recovery also led him to serve as a Field Supervisor for Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s BeSure West study, contributing to research on substance use and harm reduction strategies.

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An AmeriCorps alumni of the COAT (Conquering Opioid Abuse Together) program, Rob’s dedication to service was recognized with Maryland’s 36th Governor’s Award for Service and Volunteerism. He brings a deep understanding of the real-world challenges individuals face in recovery, particularly within high-risk industries like construction. Having worked in residential and commercial carpentry before entering the behavioral health field, Rob knows firsthand how chronic pain, pride, and fear of losing stability can create barriers to recovery. He is committed to advocating for real, practical support systems that help people maintain both their careers and their well-being.

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At his core, Rob believes that with the right training, resources, and passionate advocates, real change is possible. He works across disciplines and communities to ensure that peer recovery specialists, service providers, and organizations have the tools they need to create lasting impact in the lives of those they serve.