Meet the TeamNew Futures Staff

Email: mmerritt@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 109

Michele Merritt has overall leadership and management responsibility for New Futures. With the Board of Directors, she establishes the strategic priorities for the organization. She leads the organization in advancing its mission by creating new possibilities for project initiatives and grants, fostering innovation, leveraging resources, establishing partnerships, and coordinating staff activities. In addition, she seeks to identify opportunities for collaboration between and among New Futures and public and nonprofit entities on policy and legislative issues of mutual concern such as public funding for treatment services and improving access to community-based supports for New Hampshire’s children and families.

Prior to assuming the role of President, Michele served as New Futures Senior Vice President and led the organization’s expansion into the areas of health and early childhood policy. In addition to overseeing and managing numerous grant initiatives related to New Futures’ mission and goals, Michele provided leadership, direction and expertise on access to treatment policy priorities.

Before joining New Futures, Michele received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Public Administration from Clark University and her Juris Doctor from Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law.

Michele was the 2013 recipient of Penn State Law’s Miller Public Interest Advocate and the Miller Pro Bono Advocate Awards and received a Public Service Graduate Fellowship, which supported her post-graduate work at the Disabilities Rights Center in Concord. Michele comes to New Futures after serving as a hearing officer at the NH Department of Labor.

Email: aarel@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 114

April Arel leads all financial operations across the organization, while overseeing the bookkeeping and administrative departments and managing a Shared Services program which allows smaller nonprofits, often just a Board, space and talent to help with their needs.  She also manages the strategic plan goals and measures, operational vendor relations and contracts of the organization, and maintains business-related oversight to the Board of Directors, serving as staff to the Board Treasurer. 

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, April brings over two decades of valuable experience in financial business management and has earned a strong reputation for success, excellence and stewardship. April came to New Futures in October 2009.  She resides in the lakes region and enjoys spending time with her husband and furkids.  April also participates in volunteer Board work.

Email: jberry@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 105

Jake manages the organization’s policy efforts, providing expertise and management in healthcare, substance use, and early childhood policy. His role includes tracking critical legislation and ensuring that lawmakers, advocates, and the public are well-informed about New Futures’ core issues.

Prior to joining New Futures, Jake served as District Director for U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster in New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District.  In this role, Jake oversaw the daily operations and strategic planning of Congresswoman Kuster’s New Hampshire offices. He also worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers throughout New Hampshire and across New England, including the Nashua Telegraph, the Cape Cod Times, the Keene Sentinel and others.  

As a Granite State native, Jake attended Manchester public schools.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology from Boston College and received a Master’s in Educational Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.

Jake currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester.  He has previously served on the boards of Best Buddies New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Press Association. 

In his spare time, Jake enjoys spicy food, BC sports and the music of Bruce Springsteen.  He lives in Manchester with his wife, Anna; their twin boys, Evan and Jonah; and their dog, Clarence the Corgi.

Email: kfrey@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 110

Kate serves as Vice President of Advocacy of the organization and has the primary responsibility of directing and managing New Futures’ advocacy efforts. She also leads New Futures public health and alcohol and other drug policy portfolios. Through this work, Kate focuses on prevention focused policies and the regulation of addictive products; alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and prescription drugs. Kate tracks, analyzes, and synthesizes policy, budgetary, legislative proposals, best practices, and research related to public health and the regulation of addictive products.

Also in her role as Vice President of Advocacy, Kate analyzes state budget policies related to the revenues raised from the sale of addictive products in the state in order to ensure adequate and appropriate funding for substance misuse programs and services and works with policymakers and stakeholders to influence spending priorities for prevention, treatment and recovery. 

Kate comes to New Futures after a 20-year career with the State of New Hampshire, which included serving as the Executive Director of the NH Commission on the Status of Women, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program Coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Services.  Prior to coming to New Futures, Kate worked in the Division of Public Health Services as the Legislative Liaison/Policy Administrator for 11 years. Her role included coordinating the legislative and budgetary agenda for the Division as she worked with legislators, state agencies, and public health stakeholders to develop sound public health policy for the state. Kate received her degree in Social Science from St Bonaventure University. In her spare time Kate enjoys her time paddleboarding in the summer, skiing in the winter, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Email: mmcleod@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 126

Martha McLeod is the Vice President of Community Engagement. In this role, she leads New Futures' efforts to recruit, train, engage, empower and mobile grassroots individuals and organizations in support of policy issues. 

Prior to this, Martha served New Futures as the community engagement coordinator for the NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (AHA) for New Futures. In her new role as VP, she continues to work to engage, train, and mobilize older adults in advocacy efforts to improve healthy aging in New Hampshire.

Martha came to New Futures after a 30-year career in community and public health, which included serving as the Executive Director of a rural health network, as a nutrition consultant in the Division of Public Health Services at the NH Department of Health and Human Services, and working directly with young parents providing nutrition education in a community food program. Most recently, she has worked as a consultant providing project management, grant writing, and other services to not for profit organizations and a government agency.

Martha was elected to the NH General Court as a state representative for two terms and served on the Commerce and Finance Committees. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and her Masters in Occupational Education with a concentration in Adult Education from the University of New Hampshire.

After raising her family in the seacoast community of Portsmouth, Martha returned to her native north country home in Franconia where she enjoys hiking and skiing. She and her husband have two grown daughters and four grandchildren.

Email: rwoitkowski@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603.225.9540 Ext. 128

Rebecca serves as the Child and Family Policy Director for New Futures.  She works to coordinate and lead early childhood policy and advocacy efforts in New Hampshire.

Prior to entering into this role, Rebecca worked in private practice focusing on civil litigation and family law.  Her experience working directly with clients lead her to seek out policy work to help improve the lives of New Hampshire families on a greater scale. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Southern New Hampshire University in 2008 and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law in 2011. 

As a life-long resident, Rebecca has a deep love for New Hampshire and is eager for the opportunity to use her legal skills to help advance policies that will positively impact her home state. In her free time, Rebecca can be found exploring the White Mountains with her family and two dogs.

Email: jdoyle@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 102

Jim joined New Futures as Director of Development in September 2022. In this role, he manages New Futures' development and fundraising efforts, helping donors and supporters find ways to invest their time, talents, and financial gifts to further the important policy work being carried out by New Futures and its coalition partners. 

Prior to joining New Futures, Jim served as Associate Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire. In that role, Jim helped donors achieve their philanthropic priorities by working with them to establish scholarship, faculty, and programmatic support funds. Jim also spent over a decade working for a variety of entertainment companies in Los Angeles, including Red Hour Productions, Phoenix Pictures, Landscape Entertainment, and Brillstein-Grey Entertainment Partners.

Jim was born and raised in Rhode Island, and spent summers working at Camp Calumet in Freedom, NH. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Emerson College in Boston, and his M.B.A. from the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics at the University of New Hampshire.

Jim currently serves on the church council for Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord, where he is also Treasurer. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire. He also volunteers time serving meals at Concord’s Friendly Kitchen, and is an Eagle Scout.

When not at work, Jim loves spending time with his wife Amy, their children Sam and Madeline, and their golden retriever Leo McGarry. Jim also likes playing golf, watching Patriots football with friends, and enjoying all that life in New Hampshire has to offer.

Email: schickering@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 120

Sammi Chickering joined New Futures as Communications Director in August of 2022. In this role, she educates the public about issue areas through digital and written content, the New Futures website, social media, email, and by working with the press.

Before joining New Futures, Sammi was the communications associate at ROC USA, a non-profit that provides homeowners in manufactured home communities the opportunity to cooperatively own the land beneath their neighborhoods. At ROC USA, she oversaw the organization’s social media channels, promoted events and news, worked to enhance the user experience of the website, assisted in the creation of educational and promotional materials, and served as producer for the organization’s podcast, Ownership Matters. Prior to ROC USA, Sammi worked in collegiate athletics communications for eight years with stops at Norwich University, Anna Maria College, and New England College.

Sammi holds both a Bachelor of Science in sport management and a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. A New Hampshire native, Sammi lives in Concord with her husband and son. In her free time she enjoys exploring the state, reading, and serving as the volunteer website administrator for the New Boston Rail Trail.

Email: esevigny@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 118

Emma serves as the Children's Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator for New Futures.  She works to support and strengthen a comprehensive and integrated System of Care for children and youth.

Before coming to New Futures, Emma practiced estate planning and family law. She enjoyed working with families to solve problems that they were facing. In her role as an attorney, Emma frequently helped clients navigate social services outside of the court system, and she worked to simplify this complex system for families in need. Emma also serves on the board of the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, where she has learned more about how non-profits advocate for community members on a broader scale. She’s excited to use her experiences to help family across New Hampshire.

Emma graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Law from Plymouth State University and graduated with her Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law. Emma is originally from Connecticut, but she fell in love with New Hampshire while she attended school and decided to stay permanently. In her free time, Emma enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Email: jjones@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 207-283-5071

Judith Jones is the Healthy Aging Policy Coordinator at New Futures, where she advances policy efforts to improve healthy aging in New Hampshire.

With over 25 years of experience advocating for New Hampshire’s older adults and people with disabilities, Judith brings a wealth of knowledge in healthy aging policy to her role. She previously served as the Director of the New Hampshire Legal Assistance Senior Citizens Law Project (now known as the Justice in Aging Project) and worked at a law firm specializing in elder law. In both roles, she served older adults through individual case advocacy, education, and systemic policy work. Most recently, Judith played a key role in drafting components of the 2023 NH System of Care for Healthy Aging legislation.

Judith earned her Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and her Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law.

In her free time, Judith enjoys hot yoga, making jewelry, and walking on the beach. At home, Judith spends time with her spouse, where her household is managed by their two cats.

Email: jwojenski@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 117

Jess manages New Futures' training program, organizing and delivering trainings both statewide and virtually for organizations, nonprofits, and individuals interested in advocating for policy change in NH. Click here to learn more about New Futures' Training Program.

Jess has delivered over 100 trainings in her time at New Futures, and has been a member of the Community Engagement team supporting and mobilizing advocates to participate in the legislative process since 2018.

Jess received her BA in Communication and Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of New Hampshire. She interned at organizations dedicated to advocating for healthcare access and social justice. She has also served on the board of the Equality Health Center and is an alumna of New Leaders Council NH. 

Jess enjoys watching comedy and doing creative projects in her personal time. She grew up in NH and continues to reside in the Granite State.

Email: tingelfinger@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 107

Trina Ingelfinger serves as the Early Care and Education Policy Coordinator at New Futures. She leads and supports state policy to expand access and affordability to quality early learning opportunities for all New Hampshire children.

Trina previously served as Chief Attorney for the New England Region of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, where she coordinated with national enforcement leaders to develop agency policy and public information initiatives. She also has previous experience as a Law Clerk for the New Hampshire Superior Court. Trina earned a JD from Boston College Law School and a master’s degree in education law from UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Illinois.

Born in the Western United States and raised in the Midwest, Trina has called New Hampshire home for over 20 years. She enjoys photography and exploring the outdoors, spending her free time camping, hiking, and fishing. She is also an avid traveler – she’s visited more than 40 states in the U.S. and five continents!

Email: kip@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 119

Kim is responsible for recruiting, training, and mobilizing advocates to participate in the legislative process.

Kim received her BA in History with a minor in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of New Hampshire. During graduate school, she worked as a policy research fellow at the Carsey School of Public Policy and as an intern at Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund in Political Affairs. Before New Futures Kim worked on the 2020 New Hampshire presidential campaign.

In her spare time, Kim enjoys baking, traveling, and thrifting. She is a Vermont native and currently resides in the Upper Valley.

Email: jdubois@new-futures.org

Mobile Phone Number: 603-724-4047

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Jillian supports New Futures as a communications coordinator, informing the public about key issues and advocacy efforts through the organization’s website and social media, digital and print materials, and public relations. She also supports partner organizations through New Futures’ Shared Services program.

A lifelong Granite Stater, Jillian joined New Futures as a community engagement coordinator in April of 2022. She earned both her bachelor's degree in history and master's degree in teaching from the University of New Hampshire. She came to New Futures with over ten years of experience in non-profits, including as Executive Director at the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association and as Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in New Hampshire. Her proudest career accomplishment before coming to New Futures was spearheading the successful campaign to pass a new state law to protect minors from cancer-causing indoor tanning devices. She has also volunteered with many political campaigns.

Jillian lives in Concord with her husband, 7-year-old daughter, and 5-year-old son. She volunteers with her neighborhood public school's PTO as well as the Junior Service League of Concord, which raises funds for local women and children in crisis.

Email: msafford@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 108

Michaela Safford supports the communications needs of New Futures and its shared services partner organizations. She informs the public about New Futures’ ongoing and campaign advocacy through the organization’s website and social media, digital and print materials, and public relations.

Before joining New Futures, Michaela moved around the United States for several years as a military spouse. When stationed in Hawaii, she served as a communications coordinator at the Hawaiian Humane Society, a local non-profit dedicated to animal welfare. She supported the organization’s internal and external communications and worked to promote the human-animal bond through education, outreach, and advocacy. One of her favorite responsibilities was serving as the organization’s animal photographer, where she got to meet new animals every day and give lots of belly rubs.

Michaela received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Colby College, where she was also a member of the track and field team and a youth mentor. Born and raised in the Monadnock region, Michaela has a deep love for New Hampshire and the well-being of its residents. She enjoys spending her free time exploring playgrounds with her husband and two kids, making lattes for friends, and training for obstacle-course races. She also serves as a marketing volunteer for Pink Revolution of NH, a nonprofit organization that supports local cancer patients in need.

Email: lmartin@new-futures.org

Phone Number: (603) 225-9540 x100

Lauren Martin supports New Futures’ community engagement team as a community engagement coordinator. Her work focuses on the issue areas of early childhood care and education.

Lauren comes to New Futures with a master’s degree in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Science with a minor in Psychology from UMass Amherst. Complimenting her academics, Lauren served as Animal Advocacy Intern at the MSPCA in Boston, where she worked on animal welfare policy initiatives. She also has previous experience as a substitute teacher in Amherst, NH.

Originally from Massachusetts, Lauren now calls the Granite State home. She enjoys spending her free time reading, knitting, hiking, and volunteering at the Animal Rescue League of NH, where she cares for cats. She also centers her time around her family, friends, and her pets: three cats, a dog, and two guinea pigs.

Email: peter@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-254-6885

Peter Ntourntourekas serves as the community engagement coordinator focusing on children’s behavioral health issues. His responsibilities include engaging, mobilizing, and training individuals and organizations to advocate on policy priorities that support the social and emotional health of children in New Hampshire.

Peter earned a BA in English from Plymouth State University in 2018. His diverse volunteer experience includes text and phone banking for Get Out the Vote efforts, canvassing for local candidates, and tabling at Pride events. Professionally, Peter worked as a Line Technician at a manufacturing facility where he was part of the Steelworker’s Union for five years, often summarizing his role as “making airplane parts.” Prior to that, he served as a paraeducator and as a classroom lead at Mount Prospect Academy, working with at-risk youth in a trauma-informed environment.

In his free time, Peter enjoys reading and writing, with a particular passion for poetry. He is always looking to expand his reading and welcomes recommendations! Peter is an enthusiastic but amateur guitar player, an avid tabletop gamer (he’s played Dungeons and Dragons with the same group of friends for nearly 15 years!), and an aspiring cook. He grew up in family restaurants and views cooking as a way to share culture and show love. Peter is also a big supporter of animal rescues and has a dog named Honey, who’s a rescue and the paws behind @thicc.likehoney on Instagram. Together, Peter and Honey enjoy hanging out and watching movies.

Email: scain@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 Ext. 113; 978-696-6135

Sarah Cain is New Futures’ community engagement coordinator focusing on the issue areas of public health and regulation of addictive products. In this role, she engages, mobilizes, and trains individuals and organizations to advocate for state policies that support New Hampshire’s public health system and prevention-based state regulations.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts from Stonehill College in 2024, majoring in Gender and Sexuality with minors in Communication and American Studies. During her internship at Raising Multicultural Kids, a nonprofit organization in Easton, Massachusetts, she developed lesson plans to teach children about gender diversity. On campus, she also advocated for mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) courses and for the creation of supportive spaces for queer and BIPOC students through the college’s Center for Gender Equity and through leading the Hip-hop and Step Team.

Growing up as a Girl Scout, Sarah often volunteered in her local community at homeless shelters and schools, which developed her passion for supporting her community. In her free time, she can be found dancing, exploring music of all genres, gaming, or enjoying the outdoors through swimming or paddleboarding.

Email: jbillow@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 ext. 115

Jill supports the New Futures staff by performing a variety of general office activities and providing bookkeeping support to ensure efficient functioning of the office and financial software.

Originally from upstate NY, Jill and her family moved to Bow, NH about five years ago. In her spare time, Jill enjoys cooking, reading, walking their golden retriever, and managing the activities of her three very active teenagers.

Email: bhankel@new-futures.org

Phone Number: 603-225-9540 ext. 121

Brianna Hankel supports the policy team as New Futures’ Legal Policy Fellow. Her work focuses on the policy areas of maternal and public health.

Brianna received her BA in Communications from Keene State College and her JD and Certificate of Health Law and Policy from UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. She has extensive internship experience spanning legal and advocacy organizations including UNH’s Institute for Health Policy and Practice, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and the Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire. She enjoys using her legal knowledge to improve New Hampshire communities.

In her free time, Brianna enjoys hiking with her dog, crocheting, and playing video games. Her dog isn’t her only pet though – she also has four cats!