Leadership Team

Taysa Lynch
Certified Prevention Specialist

Taysa found a love for Prevention through her work in developing, launching, and coordinating Peer Based, Youth Leadership Programs for Vermont and New Hampshire youth who struggle with addiction, either themselves or within their family unit. She has seen first-hand, the need and benefits of prevention, specifically in our youth, and is excited to be working with a team with the same goals and passion as hers.

In addition to her works as a Certified Prevention Specialist with PW!VT, also works in the field of recovery as a Certified Recovery Coach supporting youth in Windsor and Sullivan Counties.
Taysa deeply enjoys creating sustainable programming and bringing new resources to her community.

When she isn’t working, Taysa loves traveling, exploring new places, and coed softball.

Beth Shrader
Director of Programs

Beth has worked in the substance misuse prevention field in Vermont since 2004 starting as the Director of the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition. Before joining PW! VT as a full-time staff member in July 2023, Beth worked for PW! VT as a consultant for two and a half years. As the Director of Programs, she coordinates workforce and professional development projects, networking opportunities, and other programming. Beth is also the principal of a consulting organization serving non-profit organizations in the Northeast whose clients include hospitals and health services organizations, law enforcement agencies, local government as well as substance abuse prevention coalitions.

Beth holds a degree from Rutgers University and attended North
Carolina State University.

Our Steering Committee

Prevention Works!VT is guided by leaders in Vermont’s substance misuse prevention community

Jessica Bickford

Coalition Coordinator

Healthy Lamoille Valley

Matt Wollf

Senior Associate for Youth Empowerment

Vermont Afterschool

Emily Zanleoni

Director

Hartford Community Coalition

Tom Fontana

Alcohol, Cannabis and other Drugs Initiative Manager, UVM

Nick Tatakis

Prevention Consultant

State of Vermont – DSU

Maryann Morris

Executive Director

The Collaborative

Mahat Abdullahi

Prevention Works Manager

United Way of Northwest Vermont

Elisha Underwood

Director

West River Valley Thrives

Mariah Flynn

Coalition Director

The Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community