Our Team

Meet Our Team

Maryann Morris

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Maryann Morris is the Executive Director of The Collaborative, where she has led the organization since 2010 to transform it into a vital regional asset for substance misuse prevention. Maryann’s commitment to youth at The Collaborative began in 2003, first serving as the Extended Day Program Coordinator and later as the Programs Coordinator. Under her leadership, The Collaborative has expanded its reach, securing state, federal, and foundation grants.

Central to Maryann's leadership is her belief that preventing substance misuse requires building collaborative bridges and strong community partnerships. This relational approach has guided her work as The Collaborative takes on the role of steering Prevention Lead Region 4 (PL4), delivering vital prevention strategies and community grants to create a more connected network of support across southern health districts.

A Certified Prevention Specialist, Maryann has presented at several statewide and national conferences. She represents local interests on statewide planning teams, serving on the Vermont Substance Misuse Prevention Council since 2019, while also volunteering locally on municipal and organizational teams and boards.

Before moving to Vermont in 2001, Maryann spent years directing resident camps across the East Coast, including serving as Camp Director and Administrator. She studied Recreational Therapy at Slippery Rock University and holds a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from Marlboro College. Outside of her professional work, Maryann enjoys traveling, reading, biking, swimming, boating, and spending time with her husband and dog.

Amanda Fouda

SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Amanda started at The Collaborative in 2022, starting part-time in the EDP program. In our afterschool program, Amanda ensures the students she works with always feel seen and heard. Trust-building and healthy communication are at the forefront of every interaction. Amanda is a valued member in both the office and the school environment and continues to support our team’s work and mission.

Jackie Borella

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Jackie was one of the “founding mothers” of the Collaborative back when her now adult children were students at Flood Brook School. After 6 years as the organization's Treasurer, she became the Business Manager in 2005. As a transplant from Long Island she lived in Vermont from 1982 to 2024. She currently lives with her husband Bob in Columbus, Indiana, in order to be near her daughter Brittany (now a Mechanical Engineer and Yoga Studio owner) and her grandson Henry (now 7 years old). Her other daughter, Faryn, is currently a rabbi in San Francisco. She loves spending time with Henry, meeting new people, reading, hiking, camping trips out West & trips to the SF Bay area & Mexico.

Jacob Dombroski

PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

Born and raised in New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee region, Jacob has always felt a passion for finding joy in unexpected places. He studied Chemistry and Theatre at Middlebury College; there he also met the woman who would become his wife, a lifelong Manchester, VT native. Jacob hopes that his platform at The Collaborative will allow the youth of this community to flourish in their own self-expression, finding purpose, joy, and fulfillment in the everyday regardless of their circumstances. Alongside his wife Brittany and their children Wilder and Charlotte, Jacob enjoys reading, spending time in nature, studying languages, and playing board games and video games with family and friends.

Lauren Ingersoll

PROJECTS ASSISTANT / DIRECTOR OF BRACC

Lauren grew up in CT and has been a resident of Vermont for 11 years. She brings to The Collaborative her project management skills, her digital marketing expertise, and her passion for community development. Lauren graduated from UVM in 2015 with a degree in Community Entrepreneurship and has worked throughout the Southern VT region developing websites for small businesses, building relationships with towns, planning local events, and implementing community projects. Following her position as a Panel Coordinator for the Springfield Restorative Justice Center, Lauren joins The Collaborative’s team in 2022, providing support on a multitude of projects including leadership of the Black River Area Community Coalition (BRACC), one of The Collaborative's fiscal partner organizations.

Natalie Philpot

PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Natalie has been working as the Programs Coordinator at The Collaborative since 2019. Natalie earned her BA in Political Science with a minor in Music and Women’s and Gender Studies from Kenyon College in 2003. She then went on to earn her Masters in Music and Music Education from Teachers College at Columbia University in 2010. A passionate educator, Natalie has lived and taught in Ohio, England, California, Belize, New York City and Vermont. Natalie loves to sing, act, and dance and is an active member of the Dorset Players. She loves to be a part of this amazing community and serves on the board of the Community Food Cupboard and is also a coach with Equinox Lacrosse. Her favorite thing to do, however, is spend time with her two daughters, Bryce and BK, who remind her that there is so much magic in the world.

Samantha Pearce

PL4 PROJECT MANAGER

Samantha Pearce joined The Collaborative in 2020 as a community epidemiologist. Samantha supports the Collaborative's efforts to ensure programs collect meaningful data that guides community change. She is certified in Results-Based Accountability and is adept at helping teams and community partners understand the importance of sustainable data collection and intentional reflection to highlight their impact. Her work includes developing a community asset map, implementing a community syringe disposal program, and creating a Clear Impact data dashboard to better inform prevention efforts. When she's not working, Samantha enjoys horseback riding, herding her goats, and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

Thomas West

PROJECT MANAGER

Thomas is passionate about helping communities address challenges like substance misuse, affordable housing, and making Vermont a place where everyone can belong and thrive. A retired Army veteran, he brings a strong sense of service, collaboration, and follow-through to his work. At The Collaborative, Thomas helps manage Vermont State Prevention Lead Region 4, supporting prevention initiatives and community and school partners across southern VT. Thomas also serves on the Manchester Planning Commission, as a Justice of the Peace, and on the Southwest Vermont Regional Technical School District Board. He is the co-author of A Kids Book About Gay Parents. At home, Thomas and his husband are raising four children and share a deep commitment to family, community, and public service.

Victoria Silsby

PREVENTION SPECIALIST

Victoria started at The Collaborative in January 2009 when her kids were in high school and middle school. Prevention just makes sense… an individual and community effort to build upon and support the strengths kids have and need to help them achieve their full potential and become contributing members of the community. As a long time resident of the area, Victoria is passionate and dedicated to working with community organizations, businesses, and towns to strengthen the area and build a healthier place to live, work, go to school in and to visit. She firmly believes all community members have a role to play in making the healthy choice, the easy choice. Practicing yoga, hiking, tending to numerous perennial gardens and hanging out with two adult children are some of her personal enjoyments. Victoria feels being an active community member is important and volunteers with ACT Bennington’s Take Care Group and Manchester’s Community Food Cupboard, Manchester Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfasts.

Viola Smith

EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM STAFF / ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Viola Smith joins our Extended Day (EDP) program staff in the afternoons and serves as the office Administrative Assistant in the mornings. Her background in the hospitality industry and training as a youth behavior technician makes her perfectly suited for this dual role. Viola moved from Long Island to Manchester, Vermont, in April of 2025 and joined us in May. In her personal life, Viola enjoys hiking, crocheting, painting, spending time with her dog Matcha, and her cat Mio.