Staff and Advisory Board

Our Team

Katelyn Sherman

Director (She/Her)

Katelyn Sherman serves as the Director of West River Valley Thrives, where she leads strategic planning, partnership development, and prevention initiatives across the West River Valley. She is passionate about building strong community coalitions that support youth wellbeing, substance misuse prevention, and positive school climate. Katelyn works collaboratively with schools, families, local organizations, and youth leaders to ensure Thrives’ work is data-informed, sustainable, and community-driven.

Tessa Anderson

Programs Coordinator (She/Her)

Tessa Anderson brings a strong passion for youth empowerment and community building to her role as Program Coordinator. She works closely with students to develop leadership opportunities, coordinate community initiatives, and implement prevention programming that promotes resilience and positive decision-making. Tessa is committed to amplifying youth voice and fostering a school and community environment where young people feel valued and supported.

Sara Webb

Parent Engagement Coordinator (She/Her)

Sara joined the Thrives team at the end of 2022, bringing with her 10+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a program coordinator in various capacities. Her nonprofit work has included project management, community outreach, marketing, volunteer recruitment & management, and grant compliance. Since moving to the West River Valley 9 years ago, Sara has stayed active in the community in multiple volunteer roles. She served on two local school boards and now holds an at-large seat on the West River Education District Board. She also enjoys being a part of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Farm to School (FTS) committee at NewBrook Elementary School, as well as the District Equity Team at Leland & Gray Middle/High School.

Sara was drawn to work with Thrives to support and strengthen the West River community that she loves. Her role as the Parent and Caring Adult Engagement Specialist helps Thrives to expand its outreach to elementary school families. She believes strongly in fostering relationships among students, families, and community members to build a healthy, thriving community. 

Sara is a certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner. She loves gardening, hiking, reading good books, movies, and playing games with her kids. Sara lives in Brookline with her husband, two kids, one dog, two cats, and four fish.

Liz Lavorgna

Communications Specialist and Outreach Support (She/Her)

Liz LaVorgna leads communications and outreach efforts for West River Valley Thrives, ensuring that prevention messaging, community events, and available resources are accessible and engaging. She works to strengthen community awareness through strategic storytelling, social media, and collaborative outreach. Liz is passionate about connecting people to information that supports healthy choices and strengthens the overall wellbeing of the West River Valley community.

Advisory Board

Mark Anderson

Captain and Chief Deputy
Windham County Sheriff’s Office, Brattleboro VT

Crystal Mansfield, OTR

Senior Director of Rehabilitation Services and Wellness Programs
Grace Cottage Hospital, Townshend, VT

Rory O’Donnell

Social Studies Teacher
Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School, Townshend VT

Robin Rieske, MA

Certified Prevention Consultant
Consulting Works! LLC, Brattleboro, VT

Quentin Reynolds

Prevention Consultant – Vermont Department of Health, Brattleboro VT