Board of Directors

Denise is a retired family doctor who spent most of her career in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

I anticipated doing community service in my retirement and, when invited to join the board of NKHS, said ‘yes.’

Denise enjoys the outdoors, whether in the Northeast Kingdom or elsewhere, walking, hiking, kayaking, gardening or just sitting and listening to nature.

Kari grew up in Central Vermont before heading off to college for her early career in investment banking and theater in NYC and England. Since returning home to Vermont more than 16 years ago, she has worked in healthcare in the Northeast Kingdom – 11 years with NCHC, including seven as the Director of Quality and Compliance/Privacy Officer. In her current role, she facilitates and supports the local Collective Impact Accountable Health Communities by embedding equity, engaging community members in meaningful and authentic ways, and developing and implementing system-change strategies to achieve impact.

I am very excited to serve on the NKHS Board at this critical and transformational time. At NCHC, I have had the absolute pleasure of working closely with several extraordinary NKHS employees. I believe wholeheartedly in the NKHS Mission of empowerment, hope, healing, and support. I always secretly hoped to be asked to join the NKHS Board!

When not working, you will often find Kari researching a topic of interest, crafting, dancing around the old farmhouse of her dreams/nightmares, traveling to new places, eating different cuisines and enjoying live music with her supportive fourth-grade teacher husband and some combination of her four incredible kids.

I want to be a part of supporting an agency that plays an essential role in addressing our neighbors' and communities' mental health needs.

During her downtime, Jane enjoys spending time in her garden and cooking.

Linda’s career in education has spanned from being an early childhood educator, teaching Human Services at the Community College of Vermont, being an adolescent counselor in the Job Corps Residential program, and being the Human Services Academic and Internship program to Senior Capstone teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy for 26 years.

I was on the Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Standing Committee for roughly 15 years before being asked to join the board. Being a part of this board aligns with my career path and lifelong interests in child development, social work and education.

In her spare time, Linda enjoys needle arts, crafts, music, art, theater, reading, volunteer work in social services, and spending time with friends and family.

Neila is currently in private practice in Newport, VT, providing EMDR, CBT, and Trauma Informed care to children, adolescents, adults and families. Formerly, the Director of NFI Turning Points, a Special Education Day Treatment Program in Morgan, VT, and before that, the Director of the Office of Community Service at St. Michael's College in Winooski, VT. Neila also spent 10 years working for NKHS as a school-based therapist.

As a former NKHS employee, I became keenly aware of the crucial nature of services delivered by NKHS. I also learned that finite resources compromise our ability to meet the needs of our community members which challenges our ability to fill staff vacancies, and how the vast geographic territory and demographics can impact service. I seek to work alongside considerate, compassionate, and diligent board members to collaborate with NKHS Leadership and Staff, as well as area partners, to improve our continuity of care and delivery of services, mindful that we are constantly endeavoring to 'do the things which we think we cannot do' to serve our neighbors better.

Neila most enjoys time in the company of my family and friends and is thrilled to have recently become a grandmother. She enjoys running, hiking, biking, kayaking, crafting and reading almost any good book. Neila feels thankful for her faith, and faith communities which humble and inspire her.

James serves as Caledonia County Sheriff and has 20-plus years in law enforcement, all in Caledonia County. He has worked for both St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville Police Departments and has served as a deputy since 2004.

During my career, I have interacted almost daily with those in our community with mental health issues and see the importance of supporting clients, staff and NKHS to serve our community best.

James enjoys working on home improvement projects and watching his two daughters at equestrian and sporting events.

Lisa resides in Derby with her husband, Scott, in the same home where they raised their five children. Along with a passion for education and her desire to support NKHS, Lisa spends most of her time traveling, hiking, walking with her sister, and spending time with her four wonderful grandchildren. She also enjoys cooking and creating recipes and finds preparing meals very therapeutic, a win-win in her family’s eyes!

A position on the board at NKHS sparked my interest as two of our children received services through this agency for many years. We are thankful for the services they received, and I wanted to give back somehow. My retirement has afforded me the time and opportunity to engage in this endeavor.

As a Living Proof Advocacy Certified Coach, Stacy helps advocates tap into the power of their first-person stories to create change. Stacy is passionate about advocating for peers and joined the NKHS Board to shape the mental health system.

In her spare time, Stacy enjoys ballet, spending time with family and growing her knowledge on various subjects.

Patrick's 30-year career has included work in all aspects of community development in both rural and urban areas. Following a decade as Federal Housing Program Director with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, he spent 12 years working on housing development in former steel towns in municipalities around Pittsburgh, PA. Patrick returned to Vermont in 2019 to join RuralEdge as Executive Director.

The role that partnerships play in helping to positively impact the lives of those around us, cannot be overstated. I appreciate NKHS's commitment to collaboration and the longtime relationship with RuralEdge. Also, as the parent of a recipient of services from NKHS, I know how vital NKHS' work is to improve all our lives.

Patrick and his wife enjoy renovating their circa 1800 home on the Connecticut River and attending auctions to find bargain treasures to fill it with. Patrick is also a self-described "foodie" who loves to cook and finds grocery shopping therapeutic.

Christine is an LICSW working primarily with LGBTQIA+ clients in schools and in private practice in the St. Johnsbury area. She understands the impact that the resources at NKHS have on the community. Christine has seen first hand how important it is for people in our rural area to have access to quality care.

Christine is also a part-time baker with a licensed home kitchen and has a passion for baking cakes. She also loves to be outside hiking, mountain biking, or skiing with my family.