Meet Our Team
AHP Management Team
A Senior Program Manager at Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), Brita has a deep knowledge of and experience with the challenges facing people who are struggling with or are in recovery from substance use disorders, including opioid use and overdose prevention strategies, and is a champion of recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSCs). She approaches her work using her social work and public health backgrounds, and she possesses strong skills in program design and coordination, partnership development, community outreach and cultivation, and verbal and written communication.
Brita joined the ATR team in 2017 as a program manager, where her work was centralized on supporting the ATR service delivery throughout the state, working closely with the ATR Coordinators, service providers, and referral agencies in each ATR service area. In 2023, Brita became the Project Director for ATR, where she oversees the administration of ATR across the state and manages a team of talented people who run the program behind the scenes. Brita works closely with ATR’s state funder, the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), as well as our service provider partners, to ensure that the ATR participants are receiving high quality services. Brita strongly believes that recovery is an individualized process—there is not one definition of recovery nor one pathway into recovery. Her focus will be ensuring there is equitable access to ATR within each of our service areas, that all program participants and partners are treated justly and with respect, and that the recovery support services ATR offers are comprehensive, flexible, and meeting the needs of the individuals and communities at large.
Prior to joining the ATR team, Brita managed a Syringe Access Program in Holyoke, MA, which provided harm reduction and overdose prevention services to active drug users. She is passionate about helping individuals access services that help them live healthy, meaningful lives.
When not working, Brita enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, gardening, traveling, and trying new restaurants (especially when traveling!).
(978) 261-1431
bloftus@ahpnet.com
Erin joined the ATR team in March 2021 as a Fidelity Manager for Advocates for Human Potential (AHP). She collaborates with ATR leadership to provide ongoing quality assurance and improvement of the Paths to Empowerment (P2E) curriculum and facilitation as well as support for ATR coordinators.
Prior to joining the ATR team, Erin worked in the criminal justice field as a trainer and technical assistance provider working with jails, prisons, and residential reentry centers on solutions-focused evidence-based practices. She developed and led trainings on best practices for working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, including motivational interviewing, effective case management, trauma-responsive and gender-informed care, and the Risk-Need-Responsivity model.
When she’s not working on ATR, Erin is working on completing her PhD in Sociology at UMass Boston. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
(978) 793-5674
eallain@ahpnet.com
Katherine Conforti is the Operations Specialist for the Access to Recovery program. She works behind the scenes to support the data and operations of the program that serves people with substance use disorders throughout Massachusetts.
Prior to joining ATR, Katherine worked in program coordination for a Chicago-based human rights organization, supporting programs with services for immigrants, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking. With five years of experience in social services and program administration, she enjoys deep diving into program data and finding new ways to streamline services and improve participant outcomes. Originally from New York, New York, Katherine has a B.S. in secondary education and Spanish from the University of Vermont and is working remotely from Portland, Maine.
Outside of the office, Katherine can be found making homemade candles and crafts, veganizing old family recipes, and scoping out local secondhand stores for vintage furniture to restore.
(978) 261-1421
Carole Goldberg has served as the MA-ATR Program Audit Manager since the program’s inception in 2010. In this capacity, she conducts an annual Quality Assurance (QA) Audit to ensure that ATR funds are managed, distributed and documented appropriately. In addition to site visits to review provider records for accuracy and compliance, the QA Review includes desk audits, training (technical assistance), interviews, and class visits to ensure and promote fiscal, administrative and confidentiality safeguards. Expertise includes risk assessment and management; data collection and analysis; financial investigation; and development of reports and instruments to support programmatic administration. Carole also has experience in grant management, curriculum design and evaluation, and diversity and cultural competency initiatives for health care and policy institutions.
Carole is ATR’s “eyes and ears on the ground” and keeps us all on our toes making sure we adhere to strict standards of confidentiality and responsible fiscal management.
Carole loves to spend her spare time with her husband and visiting with family across the country. Carole also competes in tournament-level bridge, and has achieved the rank of Ruby Life Master.
(413) 298-3912
cgoldberg@ahpnet.com
James is a former Paths to Empowerment (P2E) Instructor that worked at MassHire in Worcester for over two years. Born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts, he moved to Central Massachusetts five years ago where he continued his work as a case manager for youth and families before joining the MassHire team. James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and pastors a church in Roxbury, MA where he has been serving for the past 7 years.
Fun fact, James was recently on the hit television show “Married at first Sight” as an officiant. He has been married to his beautiful wife since 2020 and currently resides in Shrewsbury. His hobbies include all things Tech, and playing the drums, bass guitar, and keyboards.
Kelly is the Career Services Director for the Access to Recovery Program. In this role, Kelly is responsible for overseeing all of ATR’s Career Services, managing quality and operational improvements, leading strategic expansion of ATR’s network of providers, and building capacity and collaboration between substance use recovery and workforce development systems.
Prior to joining ATR, Kelly worked in local public health managing teams, contracts, and grants for a variety of community health projects including substance use prevention and recovery, healthy aging, food security and health equity. With a background working with justice-involved populations she has a particular interest in advancing public health and public safety collaborations to improve behavioral health and criminal justice outcomes. Kelly has led cross-municipal, multi-sector coalitions and has experience with the public health approach and Strategic Prevention Framework – assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating policy, systems, and environmental change strategies. Kelly is skilled in program design, project management, partnership development, training, facilitation, and grant writing.
While not working, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and children, cooking, and watching documentaries.
Liesl Martin is the Operations Director for the Access to Recovery program, joining the ATR team in September of 2019. Liesl is responsible for directing, leading, and managing the operations of the ATR grant that provides services to people with substance use disorders throughout the Commonwealth of MA, evaluating current processes and procedures and introducing new concepts and innovations to create the best working environment for the ATR team and the most effective functioning.
Prior to joining ATR, Liesl spent over 12 years in postsecondary education, most recently as the Director of Regulatory Operations and Clinical Experiences for K-12 teacher preparation programs. In this role she provided institutional leadership in regulatory operations and educator certification through the assessment, development, and refinement of organizational processes and systems.
When the warm weather arrives, you’ll find Liesl outside as much as possible enjoying anything and everything having to do with the outdoors. When the colder weather hits, she’s tinkering in woodworking and light carpentry around the house with her two young daughters right alongside her sporting their Fisher-Price toolbelts.
(978) 261-1475
lmartin@ahpnet.com
LeAnne Rowley is the Communications Manager for the Access to Recovery program. She focuses on ATR’s messaging across communication channels and shares the impact ATR makes in the lives of its participants with external and internal partners. With over 4 years of marketing and communications experience, she supports the team’s efforts, sharing the diverse stories of those working through recovery. She has had a primary focus on storytelling, content development, social media marketing, and website management, while having also designed and executed several digital and print campaigns during her years in the non-profit sector. LeAnne has content expertise in education, mental health, trauma-informed practices, poverty, hunger, housing and homelessness, and the ways in which those subjects intersect.
LeAnne brings a fresh perspective to the team, contributing to breaking the stigma of substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Originally from Louisiana, LeAnne has a B.A. in professional writing from Baylor University and is now working remotely from Little Rock, Arkansas.
In her spare time, you can find LeAnne cooking vegan recipes, searching for vintage pieces at any antique store, hiking with her husband, or curled up with a good book.
(501) 508-2415 x505
lrowley@ahpnet.com
ATR Coordinators
For the Downtown Boston Office, contact:
ATR Coordinator – Patricia Exilus (617) 645-7668
ATR Coordinator – Mikaela Hartman (617) 849-6994
ATR Services Coordinator – Eric Lozada (617) 849-6994
IHR (Institute for Health & Recovery)
105 Chauncy Street, Suite 602
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 849-6994
For the South Boston Office, contact:
ATR Coordinator – Stephen Steele (857) 496-7339
ATR Coordinator – Marisol Hernandez (617) 268-5000 ext. 605
ATR Coordinator – Tony Saint-Leger (617) 268-5000 ext. 602
Gavin Foundation
70 Devine Way
Boston, MA 02127
(857) 496-1384
ATR Coordinator – Karen Downs (617) 945-6126
IHR (Institute of Health and Recovery)
97 Central Street, Unit 207
Lowell, MA 01852
ATR Coordinator – Jenny Baker (508) 742-6640
ATR Coordinator – Cindy Troy (508) 742-6638
Gavin Foundation
13 North 6th Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 742-6640
ATR Coordinator/Supervisor – Cordero Crenshaw (781) 801-2268
ATR Coordinator – Lizbeth Martinez (413) 237-0049
ATR Coordinator – Rosa Cruz (781) 922-6911
IHR (Institute for Health & Recovery)
155 Maple Street, Suite 407
Springfield, MA 01105
ATR Coordinator – Meghan McDonough (508) 762-9223
ATR Coordinator – Lindsay Cherney (857) 334-8325
Gavin Foundation
101 Pleasant Street, Suite 202
Worcester, MA 01609
Additional ATR Contacts
While we are no longer accepting new referrals to our Sober Home Service, for questions about placement or moving, please contact Ruth Jerez, (617) 780-0007, ruthjerez@healthrecovery.org.
Boston
Mike Cain
michaelcain@gavinfoundation.org
Shawn Feeley (617) 369-2468
shawnfeeley@gavinfoundation.org
Gail Poirier (857) 207-9409
gailpoirier@gavinfoundation.org
Ryan Whitcomb (857) 347-1446
ryanwhitcomb@gavinfoundation.org
For Lowell
TBD
New Bedford
Dianne Correia (857) 260-9220
diannecorreia@gavinfoundation.org
For Springfield/Holyoke & Worcester
Lindsay Cherney (857) 334-8325
lindsaycherney@gavinfoundation.org