VAMHAR - Key Persons
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! Some of her other passions include yoga, meditation, weight lifting, reading, astrology, and binge-watching Ted Lasso.
Brittany (she/her) started out managing our marketing efforts around trainings and other programs in 2015. Prior to this, she served on our Board of Trustees. Her background is in Marketing and Communications with a Bachelors degree from Champlain College.
Job Titles:
- Training and Certification Administrator
Dr. Jae Basiliere is an abolitionist educator and justice advocate. They received their Ph.D. in Gender Studies from Indiana University, and began their career as a professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Since moving back to Vermont in 2021, Jae has worked for the Vermont State Colleges System as a faculty trainer, Chief Diversity Officer, and faculty of inclusive education. In those capacities, Jae dedicated their time and energy towards working to make the VSCS a safe and inclusive learning and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff. In their free time, Jae enjoys spending time outdoors in our beautiful state, playing tabletop and video games, and laughing as loud as possible.
Havah Walther is the Co-Founder and Director of a non-profit consulting group and bringing experience in organizational growth and sustainability. Motivated by mission-driven work, she draws from her background in human services and advocacy to support nonprofit organizations in their capacity planning and implementation. As a longtime advocate for vulnerable families in Vermont, Havah is dedicated to the work of VAMHAR and the ongoing pursuit of building resiliency and reducing harm in our communities.
Job Titles:
- Board Trustee
- Leadership Coach
Heather Wenzel (she/her) is a credentialed leadership coach and is passionate about creating workplace cultures that matter. For over two decades, Heather has supported teams providing services to the most vulnerable in Upstate New York. In Heather's current role, she is responsible for SaVida Health's operations in the North East, including 9 centers in Vermont offering outpatient medication assisted treatment and behavioral health services. Heather is focused on improving rural health outcomes through workforce development and convenient, low barrier service delivery.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations and Workforce Development
- Director of Workforce Programs at Recovery Vermont
Lisa Lord (she, her) is the Director of Workforce Programs at Recovery Vermont. Her work is focused on creating a state-wide network of Recovery Friendly Workplaces and supporting Vermont's Recovery Coaches and the life-changing work they do as they gain and maintain their nationally and internationally reciprocal certification. She is inspired daily by the transformative nature of recovery and how transferable the skills learned through a recovery journey are to the workplace.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Washington County Mental Health Services
Mary Moulton has served as the executive director of Washington County Mental Health Services since 2013. Ms. Moulton began her career at Washington County Mental Health in 1990 as an emergency services clinician on the mobile crisis team. She became director of intensive care services in 2005 and chief of operations in 2010 when she worked with multiple programs throughout the agency.
Following the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011, Mary was granted a leave by the Board of Directors to serve at the request of the State of Vermont as the deputy commissioner, and then commissioner of the Department of Mental Health. Her primary directive was to work with teams in all designated agencies to implement Act 79, also known as Vermont's mental health reform act. As part of that reform, Mary was instrumental in developing law enforcement and crisis team training and remains actively involved in the continuing development of Team Two mental health response training today.
She has also been the coordinator of Vermont's Behavioral Health Disaster Response Team, training 500 responders and creating a system for behavioral health response in the event of disaster. Mary received her master's degree in public administration from Norwich University in 2011 and currently resides in Moretown, Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Board Trustee
- Community Member
Pam McCarthy (she/her) is a caring community member, parent of four and grandparent of five whose lived experience has been foundational to her career in human services in Vermont. She brings considerable knowledge of program and organizational development, fundraising and outreach, policy development and advocacy, coalition building, and collective impact initiatives. A "relentless optimist," Pam believes that everyone has strengths, gifts and abilities that contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, and that systems need to cultivate these assets by connecting with people in truly meaningful ways.
Job Titles:
- Board Trustee
- Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
Paul Dragon is the Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. Over the past 15 years, Paul 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 lives with his family in Underhill, Vermont.
Steve Corliss (He/Him), a native Vermonter in co-curing recovery is a Peer Mentor at Recovery Vermont working through our Beyond Bars program. Steve has many years in lived experience and continues to navigate recovery through his many beloved outlets such as being a four year member of the Mexicali co-ed soccer league, strength training, snowboarding, hiking, coaching, writing and the building trades. He enjoys spending time with his family and spouse and raising their children in beautiful rural Vermont.
Steve has overcome obstacles in homelessness, incarceration, addiction and mental health. He finds that these challenges have played a pivotal role in his worldview perspective and drives his passion to be with others working through challenges of their own. Through his work he finds multitudes of opportunity for growth, compassion and knowledge that he is able to share within the community both professionally, personally and with his peers.
Job Titles:
- Rural Recovery Grant Director
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
Will Eberle, MPA (he him), a person in co-curing recovery, is the Executive Director of Recovery Vermont and the Vermont Association of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery. Will has overcome trauma, poverty, unemployment, homelessness, mental health crises, and addiction. He models neuroplasticity and resilience in his life and work.
In this role, Will is honored to have the opportunity to grow and support the state-wide network of partners that provide tools for all Vermonters to enjoy recovery, health, and happiness. He anchors his own recovery in trail-running, knitting, music, and human connection. Will is a collaborative leader who is deeply committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. He has made reducing the tragic, untimely, deaths of dearly loved Vermonters from suicide, overdose, and social isolation a top priority of his tenure.
Will supports all paths to recovery. He believes recovery is possible for everyone, no matter what they have been through, so long as we extend judgement-free compassion and empathy to people living with trauma, mental health and substance use challenges and provide a rich and diverse array of recovery resources and options to all Vermonters.
Will Roberts (he, they) comes to VAMHAR with 20 plus years experience as a trainer and facilitator in a wide variety of fields. Their knowledge of adult learning theory and proficiency in training development, design, and content delivery support the creation and execution of top notch trainings. Will brings with them excellence in communication, compassion and deep listening skills.