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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

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Daisy Pierce, PhD
daisy@navigatingrecovery.org
Dr. Daisy Pierce has her PhD in Educational Psychology & Learning Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is a founding member of Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region who began as a community volunteer before being officially hired as Executive Director. Dr. Pierce’s educational and professional background provide 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 identifies as a family member in recovery and ally who brings compassion and dedication to addressing the substance use public health crisis. Dr. Pierce is an active member of many local and statewide task forces and steering committees, including the State Health Assessment & State Health Improvement Plan Advisory Council.

The Amazing Recovery Support Workers

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Erica Gilbert, Certified Recovery Support Worker
erica@navigatingrecovery.org

Erica is a former graduate of AmeriCorps-Recovery Corps. AmeriCorps mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Erica experienced peer-peer support in her own personal journey and saw how this pathway was not talked about or offered nearly enough as is it should be.  Erica used her own life experience with substance use disorder and turned it into a passion of helping and giving back to her community. Erica has a great understanding of local resources and assessing her participant’s needs.
Mike Gallagher, Certified Recovery Support Worker mike@navigatingrecovery.org
A recovery coach was crucial in the beginning of Mike’s recovery journey. With encouragement from those around him, Mike began to find his own recovery and eventually a new avenue to help others, through recovery coaching and giving back. He believes in meeting people where they’re at and helping guide them to maximize their strengths and continue to be open-minded. There are multiple pathways to freedom from addiction, just pick one and give it some time.  “I’ve never once regretted waking up sober.”
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Tonya Tyler, Recovery Coach
tonya@navigatingrecovery.org

Tonya is training through UNH to be a Specialized Enhanced Care Coordinator for children, youth, and their caregivers whose parents struggle with Substance Use Disorders. She is also a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success. Tonya is a member of the Laconia Youth Alliance and is currently working toward developing more youth resources in recovery in the Lakes Region. As a single mother of two, and having grown up with some of her closest family battling addiction, Tonya has a strong belief in the effect family supports play in a person’s recovery. 
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Asheena Miller, Office Administrator
asheena@navigatingrecovery.org

Before working for Navigating Recovery, Asheena has held positions as a Service BDC Manager, Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster, and served in the US Army. She holds an Associates degree in Advanced Personal Training and Exercise Science along with an Undergrad Certificate in Corrections Management. Asheena has lost multiple family members to addiction and identifies as a family member in recovery. Through lived experience, Asheena has gained a passion for helping people who suffer from SUD. In her spare time, Asheena enjoys hiking with her wife and two dogs.
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Steve Crowley, Recovery Coach 
​steven@navigatingrecovery.org

Since moving to NH and participating in the RiverBank House program, Steve has taken time to work on himself. He has made the necessary changes for a productive and successful life in recovery. Taking a leap of faith, he has changed his whole career path to focus on a vocation in recovery work and service. Steve is a very active member of the AA community, participating in personal recovery and fellowship in his 12 Step affiliations. He is currently working towards becoming a LNA. His motto is, “there is never a wrong time, to do the right thing.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kerri Lowe - President

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, focusing on community building and engagement. She received her B.S. in Human Services from Granite State College and has 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. 
Steve Orton - Vice President
Detective Orton has worked for the Laconia Police Department for the last 24years. Prior to becoming the Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment Coordinator he was a School Resource Office for 13years. He is a father of 8 children, from ages 27 to 3yr old. Mr. Orton has a unique perspective on the challenges that face our kids and adults, having seen those challenges in his own family. He is committed to seeing change come over our community, and to bring a positive light to the challenges that face us all.
Scott Rupp - Treasurer
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 15 years. Currently Mr. Rupp is engaged with the local recovery community as a trained SMART Recovery facilitator. Additionally, he is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Director at The Doorway - Concord. As an individual in long term recovery Mr. Rupp is 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. 
Brian Keyes 
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 over 10 Years! He values his personal life experience to help those who still suffer from substance use disorder.
Ven. Lama Naomh Tomás OCBM
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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 60 years and has been ordained in two traditions - currently ordained as Venerable Lama Naomh Tomás for eight 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 and several colleagues started Legacy Retreat, a non-profit Buddhist and twelve-step addiction treatment program for men in North Country NH. Currently Lama Tomás volunteers at Turning Point Recovery South in Bellows Falls VT working with people with SUD as well as volunteering with The AIDS Project of Southern Vermont serving people in active use focusing on harm reduction.
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 Downetown Behavioral Health providing mental health care.
Chelsea Lemke
Ms. Lemke is a licensed social worker and substance use counselor. She is the Director of Substance Use Services at Lakes Region Mental Health Center, working to expand treatment for individuals in the Lakes Region experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in psychology from St. Lawrence University and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. She serves as a clinical licensure supervisor for clinicians working to obtain mental health and substance counselor licensure in the state of New Hampshire. Chelsea also oversees Peer Support services at LRMHC including Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Recovery Support Workers and is a strong advocate for the voice of people in recovery in the treatment field. Chelsea grew up in the Lakes Region and is proud to be back working in this area to help strengthen our community.

Board Meeting Schedule 

September 15, 2022 
November 17, 2022
January 19, 2023
March 16, 2023
May 18, 2023
Annual Meeting - June TBD
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  Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region
  • Home
  • About RCOs
  • Compass House
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • The Team
  • W.R.A.P.
  • Home
  • About RCOs
  • Compass House
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • The Team
  • W.R.A.P.
(603) 524-5939