Founders

Howard Josepher, LCSW

Co-founder and Inaugural President & CEO

Howard Josepher, LCSW, was the co-founder and former Chief Clinical Officer of EXPONENTS. He was in the substance abuse treatment field for more than forty-five years and pioneered the development and implementation of both therapeutic community and harm reduction programs. At EXPONENTS, Mr. Josepher created and implemented evidenced-based, peer-driven programs addressing drug addiction and other chronic health conditions. Mr. Josepher helped pioneer low-threshold, harm reduction services at the height of the AIDS epidemic and advocated for compassionate, non-punitive substance abuse services throughout his life.

Mr. Josepher served as the inaugural President/CEO of EXPONENTS until stepping down in June 2018, on the NYC DoHMH, Mental Hygiene Advisory Council was a past chairman of the Substance Abuse Committee of the city’s HIV Prevention Planning Group and was a member of the NYS, OASAS Recovery Implementation Team. He was a recipient of the National Association of Social Workers’ Diego Lopez Award for his work with people living with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Josepher was a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a recovering person, having overcome his own addiction to drugs many years ago. 

Howard Josepher, left us on April 16, 2025. Affectionately known as Howie, he was a pillar of strength and compassion in the field of addiction and recovery, dedicating his life to helping others and transforming our community through the work of Exponents. Throughout his time with us, Howie touched the lives of countless individuals and has left a legacy to be reckoned with. He will be truly missed.

Maria “Sam” Josepher, MPA

Co-founder

 

Maria “Sam” Josepher, is the co-founder of EXPONENTS and helped shape its mission alongside her husband, Howard.  Together, they formed a visionary team committed to meeting people where they are, especially those impacted by HIV/AIDS, substance use, and incarceration. Sam brought her background in hospital administration, group learning, and corporate training to help pioneer the integration of corporate skills development into New York City’s social services.

She was the primary author of the ARRIVE curriculum and introduced wellness as a core goal of both HIV prevention and substance use recovery. She also taught meditation and contemplation practices to support healing among those facing incarceration, homelessness, and chronic illness.

As Deputy Executive Director and CFO until 2007, Sam played a key role in establishing Exponents as a free-standing nonprofit, securing millions in public and private funding. Over nearly two decades, she led strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and program development.

Sam earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Baruch College.

Joseph Turner, JD

Co-founder/President & Chief Executive Officer

Joseph Turner, JD, is the visionary co-founder, President & CEO of EXPONENTS, where he has championed social justice, compassionate human services, and transformative recovery programs for over 35 years. His unwavering commitment to serving society’s most vulnerable populations has established him as a leading voice in behavioral health and harm reduction advocacy.

Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn -one of New York’s most challenging neighborhoods -Joe’s formative experiences with systemic inequality ignited his passion for justice. Inspired by the courage of civil rights attorneys who fought for the disenfranchised, he pursued his Juris Doctor at Hofstra University School of Law. His distinguished legal career encompassed criminal justice, civil rights advocacy, and community-focused practice, with notable service at the National Conference of Black Lawyers, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Community Action for Legal Services. 

As CEO of EXPONENTS, Joe demonstrated exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, seamlessly transitioning the organization to innovative telehealth and tele-visual counseling services while establishing a 24-hour crisis hotline. Under his guidance, EXPONENTS maintained uninterrupted drug treatment and crisis management services, retaining over 95% of program participants during the most challenging period in modern healthcare. His philosophy that “every crisis shines a bright light on our strengths and weaknesses” guided the organization in forging what he calls a “community of hope” -a testament to resilience and adaptive leadership.

Joe’s expertise and advocacy have earned him prestigious appointments and leadership roles. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul appointed him to the NYS Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council,  recognizing his invaluable contributions to policy development. He served as founding co-chair of the New York State Harm Reduction Association and  co-chair of the Harm Reduction Committee of InUnity Alliance.  His leadership extends to membership on the New York Certification Board, the Executive Committee of the NYS OASAS Recovery Implementation Team, and former presidency of the Board of Directors of Friends of Recovery-NY (FOR-NY).

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Judith Loeb Chiara 

Inaugural Chair