MEET THE TEAM…

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A native of Guilford, Vermont and a current resident of Craftsbury, Daniel has worked on the front lines and in leadership positions in health and human services for nearly two decades. He previously served as executive director of North Central Vermont Recovery Center,  VP for Advocacy and Community Relations at VAMHAR/Recovery Vermont, and as COO and co-Executive Director of Jenna’s Promise. He is a driven and innovative community and relationship builder who is especially dedicated to the cause of recovery from addictions and mental illness and their intersections with sexual and domestic violence, poverty, the carceral system and other challenges our communities face.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Lisa brings to this work a passion for wellness - or wholeness, a deep sense of curiosity, and a steadfast belief in the potential for human growth. She appreciates and embraces the non-linear nature to recovery, and values the potency of community and connection to promote individual and collective healing. At VAMHAR, she blends her background in curriculum design, education, and facilitation, and a deep well of compassion to promote and celebrate all pathways to mental health and addiction recovery.  She is inspired daily by the transformative nature of recovery and how transferable the skills learned through a recovery journey are to the workplace.

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ADVANCEMENT

Courtney, a native of Randolph, Vermont and a proud eighth-generation Vermonter, brings a wealth of experience in philanthropy, strategic planning, and nonprofit leadership to his role at VAMHAR. In his most recent role as Chief Advancement Officer for Herren Project, Courtney led the National strategic philanthropy and communications mission to foster healthy, fulfilling lives by offering support systems, celebrating recovery, and building resilient communities. He is a passionate advocate for recovery, with a deep commitment to addressing the intersections of addiction, mental health, and systemic barriers such as poverty and the carceral system. Known for his collaborative approach and innovative thinking, Courtney is dedicated to building strong relationships and advancing community-driven solutions that empower individuals and strengthen Vermont’s communities.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Martina is a social justice advocate at heart. She believes in all humans – in their potential, and as they are. She is dedicated to the rights of those our patriarchal culture has marked as disposable and fosters radical care for all beings. Martina loves to create safer spaces for those who have no one else to listen, and then amplifying these voices from the ground up. Fostering connections between communities – even those with profoundly disparate belief structures – has allowed her to build collaborations that might have previously seemed improbable.

DIRECTOR OF TRAINING

Will has vast experience in training design, delivery and facilitation. Throughout his plus 30-year career, Will has demonstrated a compassionate and mindful approach within multiple fields. Will’s knowledge of adult learning theory and technology support the creation and execution of quality trainings. Will is passionate about fostering awareness and understanding around mental health, addiction, and recovery.

RURAL GRANT DIRECTOR

Tiffanie is leading strategic initiatives to strengthen rural behavioral health programs. She brings a unique perspective to her work. Tiffanie is fluent in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala. She holds a LEND Fellowship from the University of Vermont, a BA in Economics from Saint Michael’s College, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health.

BOARD CHAIR

Havah Armstrong Walther is a Nonprofit Director and Co-Founder motivated by mission-driven work. She has served the nonprofit community as an consultant and leader for over a decade working to bring data driven results reporting and and planning to all of her projects. Havah uses her big-picture perspective to support nonprofit organizations as an advisor for capacity planning and implementation. Her work with Disability Rights Vermont, and the Vermont Judiciary, has informed her understanding of the community-wide losses and successes that can result from meaningful recovery support. As a local actor for responsiveness to Vermonters when and where they need help, Havah is dedicated to the work of VAMHAR and the ongoing pursuit of building resiliency and reducing harm in our communities. Havah has a BA from the University of Pittsburgh in Chinese Language and a MALS form Dartmouth College in Globalization.

BOARD SECRETARY

Jae is the Public Health Workforce Director for the Vermont Department of Health, where they have served since December 2023. Prior to transitioning into the world of state government, Jae spent the first half of their career working in post-secondary education, first as a professor and later as a faculty developer and Chief Diversity Officer. Jae approaches all of their work through trauma-responsive, person-centered, and anti-capitalist frameworks. Jae holds a Ph.D. in Gender Studies from Indiana University and an M.A. in Global Gender Studies and International Development from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In their free time, Jae enjoys spending time outside in nature, crafting, playing games of all kinds, and agitating for social revolution.

BOARD MEMBER

Paul is the Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. Over the past 15 years, he has worked at the Vermont Agency of Human Services in several roles, including the Deputy Secretary for the Agency and Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. As the Director of the Healthcare for the Homeless Program in Burlington, he led the development of the Safe Harbor Clinic and the Pearl Street Clinic. Paul is a former Peace Corps volunteer working in Mali, West Africa. Paul received his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Vermont where he received the Herman B. Meyers Excellence in Doctoral Policy Research Award. Paul has received awards in the field of human services and has served on several boards of directors. He lives with his family in Underhill, Vermont.

BOARD MEMBER

Alex Figueroa is currently the Deputy Director at SAFE Communities with SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), a national 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to contributing solutions toward overcoming mental health challenges, substance use struggles, and the overdose epidemic in the United States. Alex’s focus includes a systems change approach, leading technical assistance efforts and regularly capturing progress to improve community outcomes and enhance organizational collaboration, strategy, and performance. He is originally from Buffalo, New York, but moved to Bennington in 2017. Alex attended Utica College where he received a B.S. degree in Health Sciences with a Minor in Gerontology, and Hilbert College obtaining a Master’s degree of Public Administration with a focus concentration in Health Administration.

BOARD MEMBER

coming soon

BOARD MEMBER

Sara brings compassion, curiosity and adaptability into everything she does. She appreciates life’s complexities and humanity’s perseverance. Sara worked at Vermont State University at Castleton as the SBIRT Prevention and Intervention Specialist for two years before starting in her current role as the Vermont Prevention Lead Organization (VPLO) Coordinator for Addison and Rutland Counties. The work with VPLO is focused on enhancing and expanding substance use prevention across the lifespan. With a background in social work, sociology, women’s and genders studies and interdisciplinary trauma studies, she brings intersectional perspectives and interconnected ideas to her work. Combining her background and personal experience, she focuses on building understanding, awareness, community and safe spaces for all people. Sara is deeply passionate about breaking the silence, ending stigma, challenging stereotypes, and changing the culture around mental health and substance use.

BOARD MEMBER

Daisy grew up in a small fishing community off the road system in coastal Alaska, where she developed a deep appreciation for the importance of human connection in building community wellness. Daisy is an expert in mental health and substance use policy and practice improvement, currently serving in the legislature. She has worked around the country with thought leaders in trauma-informed care, peer recovery groups, health care management, leadership, and care integration. Prior to her election as a State Representative in the Vermont General Assembly, Daisy served as the Senior Advisor for Mental Health Policy at the Vermont Department of Mental Health, the Secretary for the Finance & Policy Division for the National Association of Mental Health Program Directors and Director of Special Projects at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. She is currently on the advisory board of the Hopi Foundation's peer-run Substance Use Prevention Center and a member of the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts, an Executive Board Member of Urban Institute’s Vermont Prison Reform and Innovation Network and the Conference of Chief Justices State Court Administrators Behavioral Health Committee Funding Workgroup.

BOARD MEMBER

Bethany has 20 years’ combined leadership and professional experience in the field of human behavior focused on helping individuals in marginalized populations recovering from mental health crises, addiction, poverty, and generational trauma. Most recently, serving as the regional Director of Operations and Administration for Phoenix House New England's Vermont RISE Programs until August 2021, when she enrolled in the University of Vermont's Sustainable Innovation MBA Program at the Grossman School of Business, and obtained her MBA in 2022. Bethany believes that all humans deserve equal opportunity to flourish, and she is passionate about inspiring and facilitating systemic change, particularly in the areas of Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. In addition to her various professional roles and educational opportunities, the biggest teacher and privilege of Bethany's life has been mothering her 3 boys, who have been the most consistent and profound source of joy, love, adventure, and personal growth! consistent and profound source of joy, love, adventure, and personal growth! Some of her other passions include yoga, meditation, weight lifting, reading, astrology, and binge-watching Ted Lasso.

BOARD MEMBER

Greta Jaeger is a dedicated mental health professional specializing in Trauma Therapy, Couples and Life Coaching, committed to fostering compassionate communities that support healing and recovery. Currently, Greta serves as a Therapist and Life Coach at Coaching Your Dreams Inc., where she guides individuals and couples through transformative processes. With expertise in Trauma recovery, and Communication, she empowers clients to navigate their challenges effectively. Throughout her career, Greta has held various positions that uniquely position her to support mental health initiatives. As an After-care Coordinator at Accelerated Recovery Centers, she developed innovative after-care programs for clients overcoming alcohol dependence. Her experience as Team Leader at GRN CSB involved supervising a dedicated team and providing direct therapeutic counseling. Additionally, she has led therapeutic groups in anger management, grief, and coping skills, enhancing the recovery process for her clients.

BOARD MEMBER

Karen is a passionate educator, advocate for equity, and lifelong learner who has called Vermont home since May 2021. A native of rural Eastern North Carolina, Karen started her career as a high school English teacher at Ayden-Grifton High School and Leesville Road High School. She graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in English Education in May 2010 and was a recepient of their Teaching Fellows scholarship. After four years of teaching, Karen yearned to be back in the classroom as a student. Inspired by her summers studying abroad, Karen moved to Stratford-upon-Avon, England where she completed a MA and PhD in English from The University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute. Although she originally thought she might pursue a career in academia, Karen later learned that her values were more in line with non-profit work, and was hired as the Regional Director of Vermont Adult Learning, Windsor County in November 2022. In this role, she oversees the function of both the White River Junction and Springfield learning centers and manages a small team of teachers, advisors, and student support specialists. Karen absolutely loves the world of adult education and is excited to find ways to collaborate with and support VAMHAR. When not working, Karen can be found at home hanging out with her pets Monkey (a cat) and Walden (a dog). She also enjoys doing yoga, going on hikes, and splashing in swimming holes, when the seasons allow!

BOARD MEMBER

Lisa is an innovative HR and Mediation professional that assists her clients with such endeavors as conflict management, leadership effectiveness, hiring for your company’s culture, change management, enhancing the employee experience, retention & diversity efforts, and positioning healthy, sustainable growth. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Communications and Ethics and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management.  Lisa has been blessed to work in several industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and television. Lisa recently launched a mediation and conflict resolution practice called Gather Mediation, which focuses on workplace disputes, family & divorce discord, and minimizing incarceration through restorative justice. She practices throughout New England.

BOARD MEMBER

A longtime resident of Stowe, Geoff is a CPA and semi-retired business consultant. He has served dozens of for-profit and not-for-profit companies and organizations, including internationally for USAID, World Bank and Asian Development Bank in Iraq and eight emerging market countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Domestically, Geoff has worked in banking and accounting for companies primarily in the northeast, and his specialty is budgeting and strategic planning. When not helping companies, Geoff and his wife, Deb, can often be found downhill skiing or walking in Stowe. A strong supporter of recovery, Geoff is excited to bring his financial management skills to VAMHAR.