2025 NHADACA Ballot

"Having worked in a financial role for almost six years to support treatment for those in recovery, I have found myself interacting with clients seeking treatment on a daily basis.  Doing so has opened my eyes.They are parents, children, spouses, siblings, coworkers, and friends within our greater community and are often stigmatized and ignored. Most have a history of trauma in their lives. Many struggle financially in ways we cannot begin to understand.  In my own little way, I’ve worked very hard to see them as fellow humans and not just a sum of their illnesses. Whether it is just chatting with them when they come in for treatment or remembering them without judgement when they come back. Making sure that their needs are met in a dignified and non-intrusive way or simply purchasing their favorite flavor of coffee for the Keurig because I know it brings them joy, I hope to make a tiny difference in their lives. 

Joining the board of directors of NHADACA, will allow me to expand my knowledge of the factors surrounding addiction, network with others who are also passionate about the work, and allow me to give back to a cause that has grown near and dear to me through my experiences at Hope on Haven Hill. 

"I am honored to seek re-election as NHADACA’s Southern Representative. Serving on the Board has been a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our field, and I am proud to be actively involved on the Public Policy, Ethics, and Nominations/Annual Meeting Committees. My continued service is driven by a deep commitment to NHADACA’s mission to strengthen the addiction profession through education, advocacy, and ethical practice. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting this mission and representing the needs and perspectives of the Southern Region.

With over 34 years in long-term recovery and two decades of experience providing and implementing recovery support services, I bring both lived experience and system-level insight to my role. As Project Director of Peer Recovery Support Services – Facilitating Organization at Harbor Care in Nashua, I lead the development and support of 20 Recovery Community Centers across New Hampshire. My previous work in Connecticut with CCAR allowed me to manage a range of peer-based recovery programs, housing initiatives, and large-scale training efforts. Across all of these roles, I’ve worked to elevate the peer voice and strengthen the broader continuum of care.

NHADACA plays a vital role in ensuring that professionals across the state have access to high-quality training, clear ethical guidance, and a strong community of support. I believe that collaboration between clinicians, peers, leaders, and systems partners is essential to addressing the ongoing challenges in the behavioral health workforce. I would welcome the opportunity to continue supporting that collaboration as a member of the Board."

"I have been attending trainings at NHADACA since 2007. Since that time it has gone from a 2-person team, to a team of many that all bring excellent skills and opportunities in NH. Offering clinicians a way to track their CEUs, or ensuring that trainings are being offered that align with credentials is critical to growing our workforce; and members and non-members have a pathway to get the trainings they need for their credential. Whether it’s a MLADC, a LADC Supervisor or a Prevention Specialist, NHADACA has been a true partner to so many across the Continuum.

I also understand the funding matrix in NH for SUD and Behavioral Health. While we are all waiting for the dust to settle on the newest biennium budget and the Alcohol Fund, I have a deep knowledge about funding streams and their primary mission. Moreover, I have experience with doctors and nurses credentialing and additional Continuing Education, including some trainings offered through AHEC.

With a deep understanding of the Continuum in NH, I feel I could bring years of experience and share that experience among board members and staff. I am impressed with the growth of NHADACA and its product offerings to members. I feel I could be a great brand ambassador and speak to what NHADACA is and how it helps build workforce and develops training capacity among its members and the employees that work within the continuum.

Lastly, I want to give back. I feel I would have a unique perspective because of the many hats I have had to wear across my experience in the field. I am happy to either be reviewed for the Seacoast representative or the At-Large position. I can certainly speak about statewide changes and challenges just as easily as I can about the Seacoast."

"I am seeking re-election to NHADACA’s Board of Directors as the North Country Representative. It has been an honor to serve in this role, and I am proud to currently serve on both the Finance and Governance Committees. I would like the opportunity to continue building on the important work we have done to support New Hampshire’s substance use disorder workforce through advocacy, education, and professional development. 

With extensive experience in both clinical and leadership roles across several community mental health centers, I bring a balanced perspective to the board. In my current position at Seacoast Mental Health, I serve as an Emergency Services Clinician at Exeter Hospital and on the Mobile Crisis Team. I also work at LifeStance Health as an outpatient therapist. In addition, I am an approved supervisor for individuals pursuing licensure in both mental health and substance use treatment - work that aligns closely with NHADACA’s mission to elevate the profession and strengthen the behavioral health system. 

I care deeply about the future of our field and the sustainability of our workforce, especially in rural and underserved regions like the North Country. I believe that continuing my service on the Board will allow me to further contribute to meaningful initiatives that support professionals and ultimately improve care for individuals and families affected by addiction and co-occurring disorders."

"I am interested in joining the NHADACA Board because I am passionate about making a lasting impact in our community, particularly in the area of substance use disorder education and advocacy. As a current member, I have witnessed firsthand the critical role NHADACA plays in supporting addiction professionals and those impacted by substance use disorders. With my experience in educating professionals, clients, and the public, as well as advocating for individuals in recovery, I am eager to contribute to the board’s efforts in advancing our shared mission. I am committed to upholding the highest professional standards and working collaboratively to address the ongoing challenges in our community related to substance use."

"I would like to be considered for a board member position because my values are closely aligned to NHADACA’s vision and mission statements, most specifically providing quality education. Prior to my career in mental health, I worked as an educator for 13 years, teaching high school English and Theater in Western and Northeastern Massachusetts. I care deeply about meaningful and engaging learning and instruction and about fostering that experience not only for the clients I now serve in and out of groups, but for my colleagues as well. My teaching and performing background have prepared me for training professionals in our field with the creativity and compassion necessary to capture their attention and champion their own love for learning about substance use and recovery. Additionally, I am also interested in building relationships with policy makers. I hope to provide best practices and the most current statistics and data necessary to inform future plans to support prevention, treatment, and recovery from addiction for our clients and their families. I feel confident that I can meet politicians where they are and help to foster their understanding of members of our SUD population and the necessary work, we do in order to help them."

"The answer is simple, before I moved to New Hampshire, I was active in AFT-Healthcare MD. It was always a great experience working with colleagues to support healthcare initiatives, and specifically to help grow the behavioral health and addictions fields. Additionally, giving back to my community means a lot to me. In the past I worked extensively with marginalized populations. More recently while shopping in Concord I spoke to a person in the parking lot asking for money. Every person has a story. In his case, he had just been released from prison and he told me of his struggle to raise enough money to get transportation home. I gave him the few dollars I had and wished him well. It seems that helping others has always been in my DNA. Hopefully I will have the opportunity through NHADACA to further aid my new state and community."