Gabriella Straube
Why are you nominating this individual?
"Gabriella brings over seven years of experience in behavioral health and human services at Hope on Haven Hill, a New Hampshire-based substance use treatment program for women, specializing in care for pregnant and parenting individuals. Her progression from case manager to organizational leader reflects a deep commitment to trauma-informed, gender-responsive care and to serving vulnerable families with excellence and compassion. She combines operational acumen, clinical expertise, and strategic vision, making her a standout leader in high-impact behavioral health programs.
Gabriella has made lasting contributions to New Hampshire’s substance use treatment field, particularly in advancing care systems for mothers in recovery. Her leadership has improved service access, elevated standards of care, and strengthened interdisciplinary team culture, balancing mission-driven collaboration with accountability and effectiveness.
Key accomplishments include:
• Expanded Transitional Housing: As Associate Director, Gabriella helped double the agency’s recovery housing capacity for women and children by securing new property and co-developing policies that ensured safe, effective operations - a critical expansion in New Hampshire’s recovery continuum.
• Enhanced Residential Services: As Residential Programs Manager, she aligned care delivery with best practices in maternal and child health, increasing retention, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Delivered Direct Clinical Care: Her background in both housing and therapy gives her a unique lens on the intersection of trauma, parenting, housing instability, and recovery—informing her client-centered, culturally responsive approach.
• Mentored the Workforce: Gabriella has trained and mentored dozens of staff, advancing behavioral health workforce development and significantly improving retention in a high-turnover field.
• Invested in Youth: Beyond her professional work, Gabriella coaches high school volleyball, mentoring student-athletes in resilience, emotional regulation, and leadership—skills that mirror the values she upholds in behavioral health.
Gabriella improves lives across New Hampshire through her visionary leadership in maternal substance use treatment and her mentorship of young people. Her dual impact strengthens both community well-being and the next generation of leaders.
Gabriella exemplifies the values of leadership, service, and innovation. She has already made a profound impact on New Hampshire through her unwavering dedication to vulnerable populations, especially pregnant and parenting women affected by substance use. Her rise through the behavioral health field—from direct service roles to Associate Director—reflects not only professional excellence but also a deep-rooted commitment to systemic change and compassionate leadership.
What sets Gabriella apart is the breadth of her influence and her strong commitment to healing and recovery makes Gabriella an incredible Awardee."
Biography:
Gabriella holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Public Administration from Walden University. She joined the Hope on Haven Hill team in May 2019 following an internship at a local homeless shelter. In 2021, she obtained licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC). Gabriella has served in multiple roles during her tenure at Hope on Haven Hill and currently serves as Associate Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations in all of Hope on Haven Hill's programs. In 2023, Gabriella was a member of Leadership Seacoast’s graduating class of community leaders.