628: How This Native New Yorker is Tackling the Global Drug Epidemic | Meghan Fialkoff - a podcast by Jeremy Ryan Slate

Meghan Fialkoff, Event Producer, Artist & Humanitarian, founded The Americas Chapter of the non-profit, Foundation for a Drug Free World in 2006 with her father, Dr. Bernard Fialkoff upon graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park. Beginning with the mission to reach all of NYC schools with the drug-free, healthy living and dream-making message, the chapter spread like wildfire throughout the entirety of New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut and subsequently into Central America where she co-directs chapters in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and French Guiana.

Through her role as Executive Director of The Americas Chapter of Drug Free World, she has produced and / or presented at more than 1800 events, garnered partnerships with the Miss New York Organization, Miss CT USA, Miss Teen Ohio, Miss Delaware, and Ms. New Jersey, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, New York Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioids, among 100's of other partnerships; presented and rang the Opening Bell at Nasdaq, live in Times Square and featured on Bloomberg, Live FOX, CNBC and BNN; coordinated annual floats at the NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade, “Truth About Drugs” concerts, events with the NFL Alumni Association and annual conventions at the United Nations.

She has traveled around the world as a keynote speaker, delivering nearly 100 events in Budapest, Tokyo, Colombia, Paris, Hamburg, Moscow, Vancouver and the UK, as well as throughout USA in more than 18 states. She garnered a partnership with the New York City Police Department, organizing trainings for more than 5000 officers. Through her direction, the chapter has received more than 40 proclamations and government recognitions from Senators, Congressmen and others on a state and federal level. She created and manages the annual Drug Free Heroes Awards Gala, now in its thirteenth year, having recognized more than 125 community leaders at its annual event. She developed the Drug Free World Ambassador program and has inducted celebrity, government, and other leaders and influencers. She has cultivated partnerships with the Harlem Wizards and Harlem Globetrotters; arranged sponsorship events with the Super Bowl, NFL Draft and NBA Draft; produced events with LL Cool J and his Jump and Ball Community Camp, “Dr. J” Julius Erving Golf Classics Event, at New York Fashion Week among others.