Peter Ames joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities in 2018 from the American Cancer Society, where he served in various roles working with health care leaders and community partners to advance quality improvement and health promotion.  As a vital of member the American Cancer Society’s leadership team, Ames most recently served as the Senior Director of State Health Systems where he led the organization’s regional efforts to promote quality improvement, public health intervention efforts and health promotions through strategic partnerships.  In addition, he has extensive background in grant acquisitions and management, as well as program oversight, delivery, and evaluation, ensuring continued success in program and organizational goals.

Amanda Allen joined the Foundation for Health Communities in 2025 as the Director for Provider Engagement supporting the ReGen Valley economic development grant.  In this role she leads a grant funded project to support health care providers with the emerging market of regenerative medicine technologies and biofabrication products.  Working closely with the ReGen Valley Tech Hub and Franklin Pierce University, Amanda leads market analysis and strategy development for provider support in this emerging field.

With her MBA in Healthcare Management, Amanda brings over a decade of program leadership serving individuals with complex medical needs.  In the past Amanda has directed community programs for adults with developmental disabilities, had leadership over a LTSS care coordination organization contracted with Medicaid ACOs, and most recently worked for payer organizations on improving site of care delivery.

Dan Andrus joined the Foundation as the director of substance use disorder treatment projects and works with health care systems in New Hampshire in primary care and emergency department settings to enhance their capability to provide effective treatment to patients.  Dan came to the Foundation for Healthy Communities in March 2020 after a 40 year career in the fire and emergency services.  He most recently served as the Fire Chief for the City of Concord for 11 years.  Prior to that, he served for 29 years with the Salt Lake City (Utah) Fire Department as a firefighter, paramedic, company officer, public information officer, division chief for communications and emergency management, fire marshal, battalion chief, and deputy chief for administration.  Dan has extensive experience in collaborative relations with community organizations and non-profit agencies in improving health care for persons experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorder, as well as in non-profit governance for a home health care and hospice agency and a community health care center.  Dan holds undergraduate degrees in business management and fire services administration from the University of Utah and Western Oregon State College, respectively,  and master’s degrees in public administration and economics from the University of Utah.

Tammy L. Boucher, Senior Director of Communications, joined the New Hampshire Hospital Association and the Foundation for Healthy Communities in 2023. Tammy serves as the primary spokesperson for both organizations, supports the development and management of external and internal strategic communications and marketing, and promotes high priority advocacy activities, projects and programs. She has 33 years of experience in marketing and communications, including internal and external communications, with a focus on messaging, branding, advocacy, public/media relations and relationship development. Tammy most recently owned her own public relations firm for 17 years. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from the University of New Hampshire and has been actively involved in the New Hampshire community serving on various boards of directors, committees, and as a volunteer.

Rori Dawes-Dyment, Senior Director of Rural Quality Improvement, joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities in 2025. In this role she provides leadership and support in the areas of quality, patient safety and performance improvement and regulatory technical assistance to the critical access and rural hospitals in New Hampshire. In addition, she supports the implementation of statewide strategies to advance the quality performance of all hospitals in the state.

As a registered nurse, Rori brings over 16 years of health care quality and patient safety experience in a variety of settings, including academic and community hospitals and federally qualified health centers, along with clinical experience in maternal-child health and ambulatory primary care. Prior to becoming a nurse, she worked in corporate finance specializing in tax and treasury.

Rori holds a Master of Science degree in nursing (clinical nurse leadership) from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Hamilton College. She is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

Nancy Fennell joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities as its Program Director of the Behavioral Health Clinical Learning Collaborative in 2019.  Nancy led the initiation of the learning collaborative using her collaborative skills to bring together stakeholders dedicated to addressing the behavioral health crisis in New Hampshire.  Nancy is passionate about helping to improve the care and patient experience for those dealing with behavioral health issues, as well as to support health systems that are caring for patients who are boarded in hospital emergency rooms while they await placement for appropriate care.  Prior to joining the Foundation for Healthy Communities, Nancy had an extended career working in health care project management, health information data exchange, and advancing meaningful use for clinical practices.

Dakota joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities in August 2022 as the Planner for the Granite State Health Care Coalition; assisting partners in planning activities, project management, and providing technical assistance. Dakota holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies and Political Science from American University. Possessing a diverse background, Dakota’s recent experience working first on COVID response, and then as an All-Hazards Planner with the State of New Hampshire brings a wealth of knowledge of Emergency Operation Plans, All-Hazard Planning, Threat and Hazard Identification, and response work. Prior to Dakota’s role in emergency planning, he worked as a Program Assistant for a Social Services Nonprofit in Washington, DC where he deepened his knowledge and appreciation for assisting communities and individuals in need. His experience in conducting threat and hazard assessments, emergency plan writing, and researching has been a valuable addition to the Granite State Health Care Coalition assisting members across the state. He is passionate about assisting organizations and communities in their planning, research, and training in order to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Kris joined the Foundation as the Vice President of Quality Improvement, replacing Anne Diefendorf who recently retired in October of 2020. Kris provides leadership and support in the areas of quality, patient safety and performance improvement to hospitals’ executive and clinical leadership and leads the development and implementation of strategies to advance the quality performance of hospitals.  She joins the Foundation from Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth where she served as the organization’s Chief Nursing Officer since 2009 and was the Director of Nursing of the Medical / Surgical and ICU units prior to that.  Kris received her BSN from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire and her MSN from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

Linda Levesque, Senior Director of Finance, is responsible for all aspects of the NHHA and the Foundation for Healthy Communities’ accounting functions, including financial statements, state and federal grants and payroll, and she also serves as benefits administrator. Prior to joining the NHHA in March of 2008, her accounting degree was put to use in the construction and manufacturing industry for 22 years, during which she held positions with the Kollsman Instrument Company’s sites in Merrimack and Nashua.

Shaylin Lipman, MSEM, Director, Granite State Health Care Coalition, is responsible for coordinating and administrating tasks associated with the Health Care Coalition grant administered by the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services with funding provided by Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Shaylin provides technical assistance to health care coalition members and assists in completing program reporting requirements. Shaylin previously worked at the City of Worcester as the Regional Hospital Coordinator coordinating health care system preparedness initiatives for all ten hospitals in the region. Shaylin also worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire as Enrollment and Matching Supervisor. Shaylin received a Bachelor’s Degree in U.S. History from Keene State College and Master of Science in Emergency Management from Anna Maria College.

Janice McDermott has 35 years of experience working in hospice and palliative care most recently as Director of Hospice & Palliative Care for the NH Alliance for Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Health Care Decisions Coalition in NH which focuses on promoting advance care planning and POLST. Janice is a member of the Steering Committee for the NH Alliance for Healthy Aging. She helped to create one of the first hospice volunteer programs in the state and a Community Hospice House that opened in 2000. In 2019, she completed the EOL Doula program at UVM.

Scott Nichols, Director, Granite State Health Care Coalition, works to bring together and provide opportunities for providers and health care and community stakeholders to plan, prepare, and train for catastrophic events through collaboration essential to integrated disaster response. Scott joined the FHC in December of 2017 with extensive public safety and planning experience with a diverse background. He has previously worked for the City of Concord New Hampshire as a police officer, a regional emergency planner for the City of Boston writing regional strategic response plans for New England, and an emergency management planner for New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency management.

Victoria joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities in October 2022 as the Exercise and Training Officer for the Granite State Health Care Coalition. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies-Homeland Security and Terrorism from Southern New Hampshire University. Her background is diverse with knowledge of security, public health, and healthcare emergency management. Victoria’s recent experience as Carroll County’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator brings a wealth of knowledge to COVID-19 response work for vaccinations and infection prevention requirements. Prior to Victoria’s Public Health role, she worked as a Hospital Emergency Management Coordinator for Wentworth Douglass Hospital for four years. Her experience in conducting Hazardous Vulnerability Analysis, emergency plan writing, creating and managing full scale and tabletop exercises, and training staff on emergency procedures will provide the team with a comprehensive knowledge of the duties as a HEMC. She is passionate about assisting organizations in their planning, exercising, and training needs to meet organization’s requirements.

Mariana Poore, Coordinator for Health Insurance Navigation, joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities team in October 2024. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, Mariana brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and business acumen to the role. As a Coordinator for Health Insurance Navigation, Mariana is dedicated to connecting uninsured individuals in historically under-resourced communities with access to health coverage options through the Marketplace, Medicaid and/or CHIP. In her role, Mariana partners with other community-based organizations on her outreach efforts across the state and conducts and participates in community events to build awareness about the Marketplace, Medicaid and CHIP options. Outside of work, Mariana is an active individual who enjoys tennis, skiing and playing on her co-ed soccer team.

Betsy joined the New Hampshire Hospital Association and Foundation for Healthy Communities in June of 2022. Prior to joining the NHHA, Betsy had 29 years of prior non-profit accounting experience as the Controller at Berwick Academy in southern Maine, where she was responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all accounting operational functions. Betsy received her Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Beth Gustafson Wheeler, MS, Senior Director for Population Health & Equity, leads state-wide efforts to unite leaders in population health and hospital community benefit practices in New Hampshire. Convening stakeholders such as NH hospitals, community organizations, and state government; she facilitates the establishment of systems, environments, and policies that utilize evidenced-based and promising practices in supporting healthy people in healthy communities.

Beth has 30 years of dedicated service in improving the health and well-being of NH residents and the communities in which they live. Her work has spanned the private and non-profit sectors, as well as the geography of New Hampshire; including over 25 NH communities and a variety of settings such as health care, managed care, worksite health, and educational institutions. Currently, Beth serves on the State of NH Public Health Improvement Services Council and the Governor’s Council for Physical Activity and Health.

Maureen Znoj, DA, CGS, M.ED, joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities in 2025. She brings over 20 years of higher education and health care workforce development experience in a variety of settings to her role leading HealthForce NH, an initiative dedicated to building a robust health care workforce to meet NH’s evolving needs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Maureen served as Associate Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs at River Valley Community College. She has also held leadership roles at Endicott College as Director of Undergraduate Programs and Assistant Professor, and at Mount Washington College as Acting President during the institution’s closure

Maureen holds a Doctor of Arts in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University and a  Master of Education in Adult Learning & Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education & Psychology, both from Plymouth State University. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty in MBA and Organizational Leadership programs at Southern New Hampshire University.