Brendan McGovern

Brendan has dedicated his professional life to assisting those afflicted with the disease of addiction.

Upon graduating from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 1997, Brendan embarked on a twenty-year career in the financial department of Luzerne County’s premier inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility, serving as chief financial officer for over fifteen years. During his tenure, numerous improvements were made that improved the quality of care each patient received.

Dedicating his career to the world of recovery has formed Brendan’s unique perspective on addiction and its effect on people, relationships, and families. Personally witnessing tens of thousands of adolescents and adults overcome the ravages of substance use disorder and improve their lives has, by far, been the most rewarding aspect for him.

Brendan has been affiliated with the Recovery Rises Foundation since it was established, in 1998, and culminating with his being named executive director in 2020. Throughout his time with the organization, he has seen the Foundation fulfill its mission in many ways, including presenting educational programs for students, assisting people in finding treatment, running family programs, providing meeting space for various self-help groups, and awarding grants to other charitable entities.

Whenever someone asks what the Recovery Rises Foundation does, Brendan always has a simple yet accurate reply: “We help people. That’s what we do.”