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Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region is committed to creating a healthy, safe, and stigma-free work environment for our team through our participation in the NH Governor’s Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. RFW’s encourage environments where employers, employees, and communities can collaborate to create positive change and eliminate barriers for those impacted by Substance Use Disorder. Furthermore, understanding that work can provide both purpose and meaning for individuals, especially in recovery, Navigating Recovery embraces RFW guidelines that create a work environment that is conducive to supporting people impacted by Substance Use Disorder and co-occurring mental health concerns. In order to achieve a high level of employee health, safety, and productivity, we invite and encourage all employees to reach out for help and support anytime.

Furthermore, we believe that all employers and employees have a right to be seen, heard, and respected as citizens of the world. They should be treated with equality regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age, citizenship status, or sexual orientation, and have the right to be protected from harm. We believe in the power of civil society to hold open the spaces for inclusive conversations that are the building blocks of new systems that value justice and equity for everyone. It is our responsibility to listen, learn, and stand up for people who have suffered from oppression, and hold accountable those that engage in hatred. 

THE TEAM

Executive Director

Dr. Daisy Pierce has her PhD in Educational Psychology and Learning Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. Daisy is a founding member of NRLR who began as a community volunteer in February 2016, and was officially hired in July 2016 to continue contributing her time and efforts oversee the non-profit organization. Dr. Pierce’s educational and professional background provided the framework for her passion as a dedicated teacher, researcher, and community member interested in bridging cultural, social, and emotional gaps that hinder acceptance among diverse groups of people. She brings passion and dedication to addressing this public health crisis.

The Amazing Recovery Support Workers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric Adams - President
Officer Adams is the Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment Coordinator at the Laconia Police Department. He has served in Law Enforcement since 2000 as a Corrections Officer with the NH State Prison in Concord, a police officer with the Town of Tilton, the NH Attorney General’s Drug Task Force undercover narcotics detective, and in his current position. Officer Adams works directly with individuals and their families that are suffering from a substance use disorder, as a support network and helping to navigate barriers they are presented with. ​​
Maggie Pritchard - Vice President 
Ms. Pritchard is the Chief Executive Officer of Lakes Region Mental Health Center, a non-profit mental health center serving the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. She brings over 30 years of experience in community-based mental health service delivery and administration. She is a recipient of NAMI-NH’s award for Mental Health Administrator of the Year, has served on state commissions and task forces, and is President of the Community Health Services Network. In 2015, Ms. Pritchard received the Rhoda C. Ladd Award, presented by LRGHealthcare in recognition of her commitment to improving the community’s health care system, as well as the Carole J. Estes Community Leader Award, presented to her by Communities for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth for her commitment to social responsibility. 
Brian Keyes - Treasurer / Secretary
Lieutenant Keyes is a full-time Firefighter & Paramedic for the City of Laconia, a Recovery Coach working towards becoming a Certified Recovery Support worker, and CCAR Trainer. In addition to his work as a first responder in his community since 2003, he is also a 24/7 Recovery Coordinator for the Laconia Fire Department, and works as an advocate for those who are seeking recovery from Substance use disorder immediately following an Overdose. Brian is a person in long term recovery for 10 Years! He values his personal life experience to help those who still suffer from substance use disorder.
Scott Rupp
Mr. Rupp has lived in Belmont, NH with his wife Danielle and 4 sons since 1997. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Occupational Therapy, he served on active duty in the US Army Medical Specialist Corps. After finishing military service he continued his clinical practice, eventually transitioning back to school and beginning a new career as an IT Professional for the past 15 years. Currently Mr. Rupp is engaged with the local recovery community as a trained SMART Recovery facilitator. Additionally, he is enrolled as a graduate student at New England College to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. As an individual in long term recovery Mr. Rupp committed to growing and improving recovery support services in the Lakes Region. When he is not volunteering or working, he can be found fly fishing, hiking, and camping throughout our majestic state. 
Jacqui Abikoff
Ms. Abikoff is the Executive Director of Horizons Counseling Center; providing comprehensive, confidential and affordable outpatient treatment and referral services to individuals and families dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She was formerly the Chair of the Ethics and Public Policy Committees for the New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Association, Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Providers Association and Chair of the NH Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professionals. She was a member of the faculty of the New England Institute of Addiction Studies from 1987 to 2012 and represented NH to the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse for four years, chairing their committee on cultural competency for one year.
Todd Cooper 
Mr. Cooper is a Certified Recovery Support Worker at Horizons Counseling Center and a CCAR Trainer. He is also the Function Committee Chairman of a New Hampshire District 12-Step chapter and General Service Representative for the “Loony Nooners” 12-Step group. He is an individual in long-term recovery; he brings invaluable personal experience as a recovering addict. 
Kerri Lowe
Ms. Lowe has been working with families in the Lakes Region for over 20 years at the Family Resource Center of the Lakes Region, Belknap-Merrimack Community Action Program, and currently at Lakes Region Community Developers, where she is the ACERT Coordinator, focusing on community building and engagement. She received her B.S. in Human Services from Granite State College and is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Leadership. Ms. Lowe was the regional Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator in the Winnipesaukee Region and earned her Certified Prevention Specialist credentials. She raised her own 5 children as a single mother in Laconia and she enjoys kayaking, hiking and spending time with her children and grandchildren. As a person in recovery herself, she realizes the importance of the network of support that recovery community organizations provide. 
Ven. Lama Naomh Tomás OCBM
Lama Tomas comes from a background of spiritual service and has been a member of the Greater Laconia Ministerial Association for over 15 years. He is a past chaplain at Lakes Region General Healthcare, former Gilmanton firefighter / EMT, and minor league hockey coach. Lama Tomas has been a practicing Buddhist for 57 years and has been ordained in two traditions - currently ordained as Venerable Lama Naomh Tomás for five years in the Order of Celtic Buddhist Monastics (OCBM) at Anadaire in Saxtons River VT. He understands and has compassion for those in active use, in recovery, or parents of those afflicted with SUD. He has served as a bereavement counselor for numerous hospice organizations. Lama Tomas currently resides at Legacy Retreat, a non-profit Buddhist and twelve-step addiction treatment program for men in North Country NH.  
Samantha Downes
Ms. Downes has 19 years of experience in nursing, primarily in the emergency department and travel nursing. As a board-certified advanced nurse practitioner, Samantha has extensive training providing primary and acute care across the lifespan. With knowledge in family practice, acute care, substance use disorder treatment, and psychiatric mental health, Samantha recognizes the importance of treating the whole person - mind and body. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and her Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Simmons University. Samantha went on to receive her Post Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree at the University of New Hampshire and has her own practice at Downtown Behavioral Health providing mental health care.
(603) 524-5939