Laurie brings a strong commitment to the Addison County community as well as extensive experience in financial systems and internal controls.  In addition to longstanding participation as a board member for local school boards and the Vermont School Boards Association, Laurie has worked as a financial manager for Democracy for America and Grow Compost of Vermont.

“Systems are key to producing consistent, accurate, complete information to ensure grant compliance and financial information reporting for the board and management,” Laurie says. “I am here to support and supplement the good work that has been going on at John Graham Housing and Services for forty-plus years.”

Jess is dedicated to the counseling and development of adults and youth. She maintains an ongoing counseling practice at JGHS and has expertise in a variety of areas important to our organization, including new American/refugee issues, mental health, trauma, LGBTQ issues, eating disorders, substance use and other biopsychosocial issues. Prior to her arrival at JGHS, Jess worked as a psychiatric social worker at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and as a LICSW at Networks in Burlington.

“Jess has an amazing array of tools in her toolkit,” says Susan Whitmore, JGHS Executive Director. “She has the ability to monitor documentation and substantial caseloads while bringing mindfulness and creativity to her work with both our staff and residents.”

Sophie Pickens worked for five years as a service coordinator for JGHS before transitioning to director of quality assurance. Sophie develops outcomes measurement strategies and manages Community CareLink (CCL), JGHS’s new data collection and client management system. CCL is a nationally certified electronic health record system specifically designed for behavioral health.

"This software will help John Graham to standardize intake, screening and client care, and to streamline grant reporting and quality control,” says Sophie. “The outcomes measurements are the most exciting as they will hold us accountable and teach us how to better support the folks we serve”.

As the executive director, Susan is responsible for acting as a catalyst for affordable housing development, including strengthening existing relationships, and forming new partnerships. Susan also oversees communication with the JGHS board of directors. Prior to accepting the position at JGHS, Susan was the President & CEO at First Call, a large non-profit drug and alcohol prevention and recovery agency in Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout her tenure at First Call, Susan was responsible for the significant growth and success of this critical community resource. Susan brings extensive experience in fundraising, philanthropy, behavioral health, and non-profit management, all of which will build upon and enhance JGHS's success in serving individuals and families needing safe, affordable housing and related services.

Susan has chosen to relocate to Vermont from the Kansas City area to be closer to her family in northern Vermont. “I am extremely delighted to be here,” says Susan. “It’s an honor to participate in such a vibrant collective of housing and support agencies working together to end homelessness in Vermont.”