Lorie Holtgrave, MPA (she/her)
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MPA, University of Wisconsin
B.A., University of Massachusetts
Lorie joined CHL in September 2021 as the Director of Operations and now serves as the Interim Executive Director. She brings operational experience from her administrative role at Loyola University Maryland and from her budget and policy analyst position at the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.
Her responsibilities at CHL include Organization Strategy and Business Development, Financial Performance and Sustainability, and Human Resources and Operations. Lorie enjoys improving systems’ efficiency and effectiveness and knows her way around a spreadsheet.
When she’s not working, she is either stitching an intricate embroidery piece or volunteering with a German Shepherd rescue, assisting in finding loving homes for abused and neglected dogs.
Kirk Postlewaite, MS, LCMHC (he/him)
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | VTSPC DIRECTOR
M.S., in Community Mental Health, Southern New Hampshire University 2013; Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
B.A., University of Georgia 1993
Kirk is a seasoned public and community health professional with 20 years of experience in program management, clinical work, and community health initiatives. During this time, Kirk has worked with children, families, and adults in Vermont across systems of care and many settings. Most recently, he worked as the Population Health Director at Rutland Regional Medical Center and as the Communications and Development Director at Washington County Mental Health in central Vermont. Kirk’s expertise is focused on creating systems of care that are effective and efficient while remaining person-focused, and he brings a well-rounded clinical perspective to this work.
When not at work, Kirk thoroughly enjoys recreating outdoors in beautiful Vermont with his family and friends, eating good food, and seeing live music.
Deana Chase, LICSW, ACM, CCM (she/her)
SENIOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Accredited Case Manager, and Certified Case Manager
Deana has over 25 years of experience in the Social Work field within systems of care, including community mental health, inpatient hospital settings, schools, and primary care. Most recently, Deana has had program management experience in Integrated Behavioral Health and has provided input to various community health initiatives.
This year, Deana was a member of the planning team for the St. Albans Health Service area’s learning collaborative on reducing suicide and drug overdose deaths. Deana was the lead in organizing and implementing the collaborative’s first session, “Preventing Death by Suicide: Involving the Whole Community in Suicide Prevention.”
Deana’s expertise is focused on creating and implementing workflows within systems of care. Deana brings a clinical perspective to the work as well as intimate knowledge of primary care workflows. As Program Manager for the Integrated Behavioral Health Program, Deana has played a lead role, along with others at NCSS, in implementing a workflow for a suicide-safe pathway within primary care sites in the St. Albans Health service area.
In 2020 Deana was the primary lead on Vermont’s Suicide Safe Pathway Mini-grant in the St. Albans Health Service area. This project supported program activities in which the goal was to build suicide-safer care pathways in Primary Care Practices (PCPs) that were part of Blueprint Patient-Centered Medical Homes and part of a system of care with a Designated Mental Health Agency.
Deana loves to spend time with her partner and their son when not at work. They enjoy their summer camp on Lake Champlain. Deana also enjoys cooking for friends and family.
Zan Lewis, MA (she/her)
PROGRAM SPECIALIST
M.A., Medical Anthropology, San Francisco State University 2015
B.A., University of Colorado 2008
Zan has worked in the nonprofit sector in roles dedicated to community outreach, recruitment, program implementation, and event planning. Her graduate studies focused on community- and clinical-level interventions to health disparities influenced by social/structural determinants of health.
Zan was a Program Specialist at CHL from 2016-2019 and worked on projects including Umatter, the Suicide Prevention Symposium, Connecting Rural Communities, Zero Suicide Webinar Series, CAMS training, and Promoting Community Resilience in Vermont.
Zan loves designing ecological and edible landscapes, propagating plants, knitting, and spending time outside with her family.
Lynette Davis, SFCC, MA (she/her)
SUICIDE PREVENTION COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
M.A., Theopoetics and Writing, Earlham School of Religion
B.A., Rutgers University
Lynette has dedicated most of her life’s work to mental health advocacy. For over a decade, her roles involved utilizing digital marketing and communications skills for therapists, health coaches, and business consultants.
Combining her passion for healing justice, and creativity, Lynette draws on the power of storytelling to ignite change. Her writing and expertise have appeared in several publications, including Spirituality & Health Magazine, Wellness Universe, South Jersey Biz Magazine, and Stay Focused Magazine. She is also the author of Success To Die For: Breaking Down Assumptions About Anxiety, Depression, & Suicide and Their Impact on Business Women.
As a Sister for Christian Community (SFCC), Lynette’s ministry involves writing and holding sacred and communal healing spaces that integrate expressive arts, play, and theopoetic medicine. She enjoys working with artists, creatives, healers, and other changemakers from all walks of life but prioritizes soul care for QTBIPOC spiritual changemakers. She loves sci-fi, anime, good food with good company, and the performance arts, especially live jazz.
Cristina Maddocks, M.S. (she/her)
SUICIDE PREVENTION AND UMATTER® PROGRAM SPECIALIST
M.S., University of Vermont, Mental Health Counseling
B.A., Middlebury College, Psychology
Cristina joined CHL in October 2023 with 20 years experience in the fields of mental health and education. Cristina’s experience includes working at two designated agencies in Vermont, an Executive Director position at an early education and childcare program, and working in mental health non-profit organizations in Massachusetts. Cristina aims to create connections and rapport to promote change, reduce stigma associated with mental health, and advocate for youth and families within their home, school, and community settings. Her experience as a clinician in various settings provides a foundation for understanding the strengths and challenges of the systems of care and how to support those navigating through it.
Cristina loves living in the Green Mountains with her husband and three children…and a hound dog named Chewy. Reading good books, spending time at the lake with family, and weekends spent cheering on the sidelines of youth sports are a few of Cristina’s current joys.
Bekah Hughston, (she/her)
TRAINING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR
Technical Theatre & Arts Administration • Brooklyn College
Bekah Hughston is the Training and Events Coordinator at CHL. She comes to us by way of Philadelphia, PA, from the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) as their Community Events Coordinator, where she fused her passion for the Arts while promoting recovery and healing. Bekah’s background in planning and coordinating events brings the focus to awareness, learning, and healing. Bekah’s passion has brought communities from all walks of life within environments that encourage wellness.
Bekah attended Brooklyn College studying Technical Theatre & Arts Administration. She has combined her working knowledge as a Producer and General Manager in the Mental Health field, creating spaces that promote healing and empowerment. Bekah’s special Interests include reading, long walks, and attending the musical theater. She describes herself as a team player, dependable, and always ready to step in when needed.
Bekah works from her home office located in Philadelphia, PA.
Jacqueline Kruse (she/her)
INTERN
Junior, University of Vermont
Hello, I’m Jacqueline Kruse, a junior at the University of Vermont. Originally from Carmel, New York, I’m currently pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Health & Society, with a minor in History.
I am thrilled to intern at the Center for Health and Learning, and I’m passionate about raising awareness for mental health. Back home, I enjoy volunteering at my local library, immersing myself in the world of literature and community engagement.
Nature holds a special place in my heart, and I often indulge in long walks to clear my head and stay active. Connecting with the outdoors allows me to unwind and find inspiration. I also have a love for museums and art, frequently exploring exhibits that fuel my curiosity and appreciation for creativity.
Volunteering for St. Jude through my sorority, practicing Pilates, creating art, and cooking for loved ones are vital parts of my life.
