NEW YORK– Groups, a national provider of value-based addiction treatment, has appointed long-time executive Cooper Zelnick as Chief Executive Officer. Zelnick has been with the organization for nearly a decade, serving in leadership roles including President, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Director.
“I am honored to step into the role of CEO,” said Zelnick. “Groups has proven that evidence-based addiction treatment that aligns incentives can save lives and reduce costs. I’m excited to continue this important work with our incredible team.”
Zelnick joined Groups in its early years, initially overseeing operations in Maine. He went on to play a central role in expanding the organization into new states and developing value-based partnerships with health plans. Before joining Groups, he was an investor at RRE Ventures, where he focused on behavioral health and healthcare services.
“Cooper is exactly the right person to lead Groups in its next stage of growth,” said Thomas McLellan, a board member of Groups and a leading expert in addiction science, treatment and policy. “His deep understanding of addiction and member needs informs our treatment model at every level. With unmatched expertise navigating licensing, regulatory, and contracting requirements, he is uniquely positioned to strengthen Groups’ impact and further advance the innovation and excellence our members deserve.”
Under Zelnick’s leadership, Groups has grown from a small New England startup into a provider of value-based addiction care in 17 states, serving tens of thousands of members annually and delivering outcomes the company describes as industry-leading.
Zelnick succeeds Colleen Nicewicz, who served as CEO for five years and was credited with solidifying Groups’ reputation as a trusted provider of compassionate, high-quality addiction care.
