Experience
State Representative
Vermont General Assembly
House Committee on Health Care
Montpelier, Vermont
Elected 2021
-Committee Liaison to House Appropriations
-Committee Liaison to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
-Member of Social Equity Caucus
-Member of Women’s Caucus
-Member of Climate Caucus
-Member of House Dems Communications Team
Senior Policy Advisor
State of Vermont, Agency of Human Services, Department of Mental Health
Waterbury, Vermont
2019-2022
I advised on state policy and legislative initiatives related to mental health.
-Member of Governor’s Substance Misuse Prevention, Oversight & Advisory Council and Equity Policy Subcommittee
-Member of the Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition
-Member of VT Agency of Human Services Policy Committee (internal policy making)
Our state agencies have a critical role in shaping the health of our communities, and my time at the state illuminated opportunities to be innovative while working across sectors and with broader community partners to advance our system of care. I enjoy public policy making in an environment that is inclusive, directed toward integration and value based care.
My national experience has helped to inform Vermont’s policies and advance initiatives that improve cost savings and access to care, such as the CCBHC model. I have called in leaders at the highest level and nudged them to think outside their usual lanes which I believe is a fundamental component to success during these unpredictable times.
Director of Special Projects
MTM Services - Behavioral Health Business Consulting
National/Remotely-based
2017-2019
I identified and pursued opportunities for growth with successful strategies and the development of key state-level client relationships and strategic national partnerships.
Tapping into my knowledge of challenges that health care providers struggle with across the country, I managed the organization’s strategic communications and business development.
After being their champion at MTM’s strategic partner for the preceding six years, I was thrilled to join this industry leader in behavioral health business consulting.
Working with long time experts in health care costing, leadership, and care delivery, I had a front row seat at implementing solutions to the pressure points our providers face every day while they aim to meet performance measures, stay compliant, maintain their workforce, keep the lights on— and most importantly improve patient wellness.
Director of Special Projects
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Washington, DC
2011-2017
Directed national initiatives for practice improvement and policy, including the federal program in behavioral health business operations, which aimed to increase access to care and improve fiscal solvency with more than 3,000 participating organizations and state agencies.
Curated major events (100-5000+ attendees) with industry thought leaders and senior government officials to drive conversations in national advocacy and behavioral health system innovation
My time at the Council was a period of great organizational growth and a rise in national awareness of mental health and substance misuse disorders.
In addition to SAMHSAs BHbusiness program, I managed national projects for FQHC readiness, peer support trainings, care management, and trauma informed care. I also served as the organization’s first Director of Addictions, resulting in successful integration of national substance use treatment and mental health organizations within the association.
Collaborating, influencing and leading diverse stakeholder conversations about the future of behavioral health helped us to grow our impact and support to more than one million provider members.
Global Health Consultant
India, Vanuatu, Fiji, Commonwealth of N. Mariana Islands
2004-2011
Consultant on health and natural disaster projects to facilitate health knowledge exchange and capacity building for remote and underserved populations.
My early training as a field volcanologist actually paved the way to working to improve livelihoods of under served people—and also inspired my deep appreciation for data. I surveyed refugees in the Mariana Islands about being displaced from their ancestral home by volcanic eruptions. And I helped to facilitate collaborations between tribal leaders and international researchers in Vanuatu to support capacity building and improve risk perceptions. At a local non profit in India I was part of a Bill and Melinda Gates project that built networks of community based health care workers to reduce rates of HIV across the country. Each of these helped me to develop grit, or a steadfast commitment to my mission, by working alongside generous people with an unwavering passion for learning and helping others.
Affiliations
National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), Behavioral Health, Aging, and Disability Steering Committee Member (2024-present)
Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts, Member (2023-present)
Vermont Agency of Human Services Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Steering Committee Member (2023-present)
Urban Institute, Prison Reform and Innovation Network, Executive Board Member (2023-present)
Justice of the Peace, Winooski, Vermont (2022-present)
Winooski School District Anti Racism Steering Committee Member (2022-present)
National Association of Mental Health Program Directors, Finance Policy Division Secretary (2021-2022)
Hopi Foundation, Hopi Substance Misuse Prevention Center Advisory, Board Member (2019-present)
Education
MA, University of Sussex, UK l Science, Society and Development
BS, Sonoma State University, California l Geology