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Our Leadership Team

Galen Blodgett (he/him)

Detail Works General Manager

Galen is a native Vermonter who spent ten years working in automotive starting as a Detailer and working his way up to Sales Manager. He later moved into the Security and Corrections field, and now serves as the General Manager of Spectrum’s social enterprise, Detail Works. Galen enjoys trying new cuisine, ghost stories, and has a passion for outdoor activities including weekend hikes with his family.

Christina Brown (she/her)

Director of Basic Needs Programs

Christina joined Spectrum in 2018 as a Youth Coach at the Drop-In Center before transitioning into the Senior Staff position, and then ending up as the director of the program. She moved up to Vermont from Asheville, NC, where she received her B.A. in Global Studies and Spanish, as well as a vocational education in general carpentry from Warren Wilson College.

Christina has worked with several non-profits addressing housing security and homelessness, and even put her hands to work as a freelance carpenter. She has taken those passions and skills on the road in her extensive travels around Latin America, but eventually landed here in Burlington with her partner, their young daughter, and their old dog. In her free time, Christina still enjoys keeping her hands busy with home carpentry projects. She loves to run, see live music, and get out in the woods as much as possible.

Alicia Cerasoli, MSW (she/her)

Director of the Compass Program

Alicia Cerasoli joined Spectrum in 2017 as a Youth Development Coordinator before becoming the Director of the Compass Program in 2022. As the Director of the Compass Program, Alicia oversees Spectrum’s prevention, crisis, and stabilization program, which provides clinical support to at-risk youth and their families. Prior to joining Spectrum, Alicia worked with adults with developmental disabilities. Alicia served as a Vermont State Housing Authority AmeriCorps member with Cathedral Square. Alicia earned her Masters of Social Work from Simmons University in 2022 and her Bachelors of Social Work from Champlain College, where she enjoyed studying abroad and held social work internships in Dublin, Ireland, and Banjul, Gambia. Alicia enjoys cooking new recipes, baking treats, and spending time in the sun.

Stefanie Comstock (she/her)

Director of the St. Albans Drop-In Center

Stephanie joined Spectrum in November 2020 as the Director of the St. Albans Drop-In Center.  Prior to Spectrum, she worked for Lund as a substance use case manager and clinician co-located at the DCF Family Services Office in St. Albans. She also has years of experience as an outreach case manager at Safe Harbor Health Center.

She holds a M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Cincinnati and is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor (ADC) in the state of Vermont.

Gina D’Ambrosio (she/her)

Director of the Jump On Board for Success (JOBS) Program

Originally from Philadelphia, Gina joined Spectrum in 1996 as a JOBS clinician when the program was first introduced as a part of Spectrum services, eventually becoming Program Manager. Prior to joining Spectrum, Gina worked in the Los Angeles area with struggling youth as well as being employed as a third grade teacher. Gina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and has been trained in various trauma-informed care frameworks, co-occurring disorders, and adolescent brain development.

Over the past 20 years, Gina has served on the Board of Directors for a School-to-Work non-profit organization, facilitates a monthly case consultation team for transition age youth, and recently joined a first-episode psychosis consultation team. She enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and enjoying time with her three children and three grandchildren.

Mike Grant (he/him)

Chief Financial Officer

Mike joined Spectrum in February 2023 as the CFO following a wide range of financial positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Spectrum, he worked at Goldman Sachs, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, and two CPA firms. He grew up in Hyde Park, VT, and holds a MSA from St. Michael’s College and a BS from Castleton University.

Tammy Guilbault (she/her)

Director of Human Resources

Tammy joined Spectrum as the Human Resources Administrator and has since, moved to the role of Director of Human Resources. Tammy’s HR and payroll experience comes from 15 years as the Operations Manager for a Payroll and HR Software development company, where she was responsible for payroll and HR tasks.

Tammy lives in Burlington with her husband. She has 3 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren.

Zeynab Kouyate (she/her)

Director of the Multicultural Youth Program

Zeynab Kouyate started with Spectrum in June 2022 and was promoted within her first year.  She is now the Director of the Multicultural Youth Program and oversees a team that works with youth from many different backgrounds by helping them to have equal rights and opportunities and access resources and case management. Zeynab has worked with youth from different countries such as Congo, Somali, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Nepal, India, and more.  She has an Associates Degree in Human Services and earned a gratitude certificate from CVOEO in 2022 for helping a French-speaking family living in Vermont with applications, interpretation, and accessing different resources available to them.

Rebecca Majoya (she/her)

Director of the Mentoring Program

Rebecca joined Spectrum in April of 2019 as the Mentor Program Associate and became the Director of the Mentoring Program in May of 2021. She has two decades of experience in social work and education. She spent 10 years working to prevent domestic and sexual violence and 8 years as the executive director of The Mentor Connector in Rutland VT. She also currently teaches education courses at CCV. Her Bachelors is in Communication Arts and Education from Cedarville University, and she has a Master’s in Education from Castleton University. She enjoys kayaking, gardening, reading and writing and spending time with her partner and grown children.

Mark Redmond, MPA (he/him)

Executive Director

Mark has been Spectrum’s Executive Director since 2003. He has worked with homeless and at-risk youth since 1981 – in New York City; Westchester, NY; and Stamford, CT. Before coming to Spectrum, Mark was the Associate Executive Director of the Domus Foundation and helped start the city’s first charter school for low-income middle school children. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Villanova University and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University. In addition to working at Spectrum, Mark is the author of The Goodness Within: Reaching out to Troubled Teens with Love and Compassion (Paulist Press) and Called: A Memoir (Onion River Press). He has had articles published in ForbesThe New York Times, The Washington Post, the Huffington Post and Burlington Free Press.  He has also been on NPR’s The Moth and other podcasts such as RISK!, Strangers, The Lapse and Stories from the Stage.

Leslie Schwartz (she/her)

Director of the Youth Development Program

Leslie joined Spectrum as a Youth Development Coordinator in 2017 and became the program director in 2021. Prior to joining Spectrum, she worked as a case manager at Lund for six years, where she served pregnant and parenting families with gaining independent living skills. She is also the co-owner of Vermont Knitting Company. Leslie holds B.A.s in Sociology, Anthropology, and English Literature from Elmira College. She lives in Colchester with her family.

Christopher Smith (he/him)

Chief Clinical Officer

Chris joined Spectrum in the fall of 2023 as our Chief Clinical Officer.  Chris’ role includes oversight of many of our programs here at Spectrum and coordinates his work with the other members of our Executive Leadership Team.  Fun fact: Chris completed his graduate clinical internship at Spectrum and was so impacted by the mission of the agency he’s wanted to come back ever since! Prior to working at Spectrum, Chris has held several clinical and operational roles in both the designated agency system and in private practice here in Northern Vermont.  Most recently, Chris oversaw a larger outpatient substance use and mOUD treatment program in Franklin County.  Previous work includes adolescent treatment, crisis work, outdoor & wilderness education, and residential program management. Chris received a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Vermont and is Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  Chris is a Nationally Certified Counselor. He holds a BS in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, riding his bike, paddling boats of all kinds and skiing.

Will Towne (he/him)

Chief Operating Officer

Will came to Spectrum as Residential Staff in 2013 and has since served as a Case Manager, Intake Coordinator, Supported Housing Manager, and now Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to coming to Spectrum, Will worked at Heritage Aviation and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Michael’s College. Originally from New Hampshire, he enjoys baseball, golf, and snowboarding.

Nerzada Turan, MA, LCMHC, LADC (she/her)

Director of Riverstone Counseling

Nerzada first joined Spectrum in October of 2017 and became the Director of Counseling in September 2023. She has been working with adults, youth and families since 2010 with substance use and mental health concerns. She is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Nerzada holds a BA in Psychology from Green Mountain College and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Concentration in Substance Use Counseling from Antioch University of New England. She lives in Burlington with her family.

Sarah Woodard, CFRE (she/her)

Chief Development & Communications Officer

Sarah Woodard joined Spectrum in June 2012 and has been working in the field of fundraising, marketing, and communications since 1999. As Chief Development & Communications Officer, she oversees the organization’s individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising along with Spectrum’s website, public relations, print materials, and social media. Prior to Spectrum, Sarah worked at the Institute for Sustainable Communities in communications and development, and at nonprofits in the Boston area. Sarah holds a BA in English from Bates College and a BFA in Fine Arts 3D from Massachusetts College of Art+Design. She lives in Burlington with her family.