Founder and CEO, James Gonzales, is not only someone who has walked the path of recovery and resilience but is also a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist through CALMHSA and a Registered Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDRC).

James’s journey—from overcoming addiction, incarceration, and systemic barriers to becoming a certified peer support leader and counselor—is at the heart of Pathways' mission. His experience fuels our commitment to trauma-informed care, mentorship, and sustainable recovery solutions for individuals and families in need.

Through his official credentials, James ensures that Pathways provides professional, ethical, and effective support services that meet the highest standards of care in mental health, addiction recovery, and peer support advocacy.