Chantal proudly supports her husband’s sobriety. She is an alumni of the Caron Treatment Center Family Education Program. Her pathway to recovery includes Al-Anon, individual and couples’ behavioral counseling as well as numerous personal growth workshops. Chantal and William celebrated his ten-year recovery in February 2019 with a cycling trip in Myanmar.
For Chantal’s complete bio please click here.
William Thomas is a seasoned corporate leader with progressive successes from Marketing Director at Proctor and Gamble to President of Western Union Financial Services both Fortune 500 companies. He has experience working in and across cultures including Thailand, Argentina, Canada, France and the U.S. His passion is creating high performing global teams.
Since leaving corporate life, William has turned his attention to philanthropy, teaching and serving on nonprofit boards. He engages in a life of adventure travel and fitness.
William faced the challenge of addiction and went to rehab at Caron Treatment Center. Following rehab, he participated in therapy, attended couples’ workshops, and received the unwavering support of his wife, close friends and AA sponsors. In February 2019, he celebrated ten years of sobriety.
William has crafted a fulfilling life in recovery. He now sits on the Advisory Board for Caron, has served on the board of The Rotary Club of Philadelphia and held the position of Foundation Chairman. He has accepted Adjunct Professor assignments teaching breakthrough career courses to international students in Asia. He and his wife sponsor the education of street children in Thailand and have established an Endowment Fund to support selective charities.
William currently dedicates himself to the promotion and launch of the upcoming book “Love Without Martinis: Stories of Couples in Sobriety”.
For more information about Bill's career click here to see his Linkedin profile.
Bill and Chantal met in Ghana, Africa at a Gala hosted by Western Union. Bill was President and lived in Paris. Chantal was General Counsel and lived in Miami. Their friendship spanned many countries and many years until they both were eventually relocated to Denver. As in many modern relationships, initially their lives were complicated.
In 2008, they paused their executive careers, moved to Philadelphia and began to explore the depth of their relationship. They soon faced a series of life challenges parental death, Bill’s alcohol addiction, Chantal’s cancer and ruptured families.
Bonded by a deep love for one another, they realized that without recovery, they would not have a relationship. They embarked on a journey that would require Bill to attend rehab at Caron Treatment Center and Chantal to learn about addiction and co-dependency. Together they faced the challenge head on attending therapy, couple’s workshops, AA and Al-Anon. They had to find courage and give each other time to grow. They continue to deepen their recovery and heal the scars left on their souls and their families.
They have created a second life in recovery. Bill sits on non-profit boards sharing his knowledge and expertise as a former CEO. Chantal writes creative non-fiction and Maverick House published her first book “The Boy with a Bamboo Heart”. She also dedicates herself to supporting youth and education. Together they have embraced living life to the fullest trekking in Patagonia, cycling over 10,000 kms from coastal France to the Asian Golden Triangle even sky diving in New Zealand. They have been adjunct professors in Thailand and fundraised for a young Canadian athlete. Each year they recharge at a cottage on a quiet Quebec lake in Canada and plan their future.
They deeply believe that life in recovery is fun and sexy. Chantal and Bill want to participate in the conversation to de-stigmatize addiction and give voice to people in recovery. On February 17, 2019, they celebrated Bill’s ten years of sobriety while traveling in Yangon, Myanmar.