Don Kalish, CPA, President of the board of the Path to Recovery Foundation (PATH).
Malecki Brooks Law Group, LLC is proud to continue our communication highlighting the backgrounds and accomplishments of our clients.
Name: Don Kalish, CPA, President of the board of the Path to Recovery Foundation (PATH). A 50l(c)(3) organization, PATH is committed to supporting, educating, and promoting recovery for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders.
Known for: Finance and accounting expertise. Being the father of a 29-year-old son who died of an accidental opioid-fentanyl overdose.
Business Background: 48 years of financial and accounting expertise in executive positions. He recently retired as the Assistant Vice President of Finance and Controller at Rush Copley Medical Center and is currently acting in a finance and healthcare consulting role with Rush Copley and Rush University.
Previous Volunteer Work: With four sons, Don was actively involved in coaching and running youth sports organizations for more than 20 years and held positions on the boards of the Naperville Little League Baseball and Naperville Youth Basketball Association. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for Youth & Family by the Naperville Jaycees in 2001.
His life changed on May 16, 2016, when his youngest son, Randy, accidentally overdosed.
New Focus: Don and his eldest son, Cliff, raised more than $23,000 in donations at the 2017 Naperville Half Marathon and 5K Run for a different recovery organization. Don joined the PATH Board in 2018.
Current Role: As PATH Board President, Don leads the foundation in governance decisions and serves as administrator. “We have a great team of clinicians, coaches, and volunteers who work directly with the clients. That’s not my skill set. I provide the support they need to keep doing the great things that they do for clients. I help with structure, organization, finance, and fundraising. Running a not-for-profit is very different than operating a business—completely different rules. I go to Mindy and Malecki Brooks Law Group, LLC, for advice to keep us out of trouble.”
His passion: Helping other families to not experience what his family went through with the death of a young adult. Don wants to help prevent overdosing and keep kids free from substance abuse. The PATH helps, but he knows it’s an uphill battle. Opioid relapse is at 70 percent.
Colleagues: “Don is a compassionate leader who follows up on commitments and assists those who are in need of guidance. I have always admired Don for his passion for life and dry sense of humor.”
Eddie Bedford Supervisor and Director of Road Services, Naperville
“Don’s role as board president of PATH is fundamentally what elevated PATH from being a small group of passionate individuals supporting a cause to being a structured organization. Don brought his financial and managerial expertise and provided the structure necessary to successfully run a foundation. Aside from Don’s professional contribution, his passion and compassion for helping those struggling with substance use disorder is what is most admirable.”
Leslie Kawar, Vice President, PATH Board
Roar: “Families are ashamed of addiction,” Don said. “At PATH, they can talk with people who understand. You don’t have to go it alone. We have the resources to help. I can’t be prouder of our team and the important work they’re doing to tackle substance use disorders head on.”
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is a day intended to remember individuals lost to overdose, acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind, and renew commitment to end overdose and related harms.