About Pinetree Institute
The mission of Pinetree Institute is to strengthen the well-being of communities by building collaborative approaches to prevention, mental health and recovery, supported by trauma-responsive education.
Who We Are
Pinetree Institute brings communities together to address complex challenges through collaboration, education, and shared action.
We believe lasting change happens when communities align their strengths and work toward shared goals. By convening professionals, community leaders, employers, families, and residents, we help build partnerships that advance prevention, strengthen recovery pathways, and promote traumaresponsive environments.
Our work focuses on turning knowledge into action— supporting initiatives that improve well-being today while strengthening the systems that sustain healthy communities over time.
We envision a future where communities work together to create resilient, trauma-responsive systems that promote lifelong well-being.
How We Work
Pinetree Institute strengthens communities through three interconnected areas of work. Each area reflects our belief that meaningful change happens when communities work together to build knowledge, strengthen relationships, and support one another.
Prevention & Youth Development
Healthy communities begin with strong foundations for young people and families.
Pinetree works with schools, families, and community partners to support youth-centered prevention efforts that strengthen protective factors and create positive experiences for children and adolescents.
Through collaborative initiatives such as youth coalitions, family education, and community-based prevention programs, we help communities build environments where young people can grow, connect, and thrive.
Community-Based Recovery
Recovery is strengthened when communities come together to reduce stigma, expand opportunities, and support individuals on their recovery journey.
Pinetree partners with employers, recovery organizations, and community leaders to build recovery-supportive environments and expand connections to resources.
Initiatives such as Recovery Friendly Workplace, the Greater Portsmouth Recovery Coalition, and Recovery Ready York County help communities develop practical solutions that strengthen recovery pathways and promote long-term stability.
Trauma-Responsive Education
Education is a powerful tool for community change.
Pinetree provides training and professional development that helps organizations and community members understand trauma, respond to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and create environments that support resilience.
Through programs such as ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences education, the Trauma-Responsive Certificate Program, and professional development workshops, we help build the knowledge and capacity communities need to lead lasting positive change.
Our Approach
Collaboration is the foundation of all our work
Pinetree believes that sustainable change happens when communities build strong relationships, share knowledge, and work together toward common goals. We support collaborative partnerships across sectors— including education, healthcare, business, public safety, and community organizations—to create solutions that reflect the unique strengths and needs of each community.
By combining trauma-responsive education with community-driven action, we help communities build systems that support prevention, recovery, and lifelong well-being.
CORE
VALUES
Collaboration
We believe sustainable change happens through partnership and shared leadership.
Prevention & Early Action
We prioritize proactive, community-based solutions that reduce harm before it occurs.
Recovery & Resilience
We advance environments that strengthen recovery pathways, promote healing, and empower individuals and communities to thrive.
Evidence-Informed Best Practices
We believe sustainable change happens through partnership and shared leadership.
Community-Embedded Care
We believe meaningful change begins in everyday interactions. We equip community members to practice care in small, consistent ways that strengthen relationships and contribute to lasting, community-wide change.
Pinetree Team
Dr. Larry McCullough
Ed.D., Executive Director
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For over 30 years Larry has worked with major corporations and non-profit organizations in the areas of leadership development, change management, and strategic planning. Larry has worked with more than 25 Fortune 500 companies, many of which are also Global 100. He has worked across a wide range of industries including technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, manufacturing, professional services, and consumer goods in addition to governmental and non-profit organizations. Recent significant projects have included: lead designer and facilitator for the highly acclaimed Experienced Leader Program at Ford Motors; transformational leadership programs for more than 72,000 managers and supervisors with the U.S. Veteran’s Affairs, including a very successful webinar series and content for their high-impact Change Academies; and global leadership initiatives for several global companies resulting in significant improvement in employee engagement ratings.
Larry established the workshop and retreat center at Pinetree Farm and began hosting workshops in 2005. He officially launched Pinetree Institute in 2012 to address issues of positive well-being through workshop offerings and community programs in the Seacoast NH / Southern Maine region. He brings his experience with leadership, change management and strategy to bear in creating and managing initiatives related to positive well-being. A particular focus for the past few years has been the development of trauma-informed approaches to community services, especially as related to addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as a way of building individual, family and community resilience.
Brittney Atamian
Director of Community Outreach and Development
Amy Michaels, MS
Director of Prevention Programs
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Brittany Reichman
Director, RFW Maine and Statewide Business Advisor
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Brittany is a lifelong Maine Resident. She is passionate about the expansion of services for those facing substance use struggles; hugely in part because of her own experience. After multiple attempts at seeking help elsewhere, she returned back to Maine in 2015 to pursue her own recovery journey.
Brittany has worked in the recovery field in both administrative and managerial roles since 2019. Utilizing her professional skills in the field and watching people find their way to recovery is something she finds extremely fulfilling.
Outside of work Brittany enjoys Crossfit, running, spending time with friends and family- and above all, being with her husband and her son!
Meghan Stewart
Program Coordinator
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Carolyn Eastman
Education Program Advisor
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Board of Directors
Alan Gold
President
Alan is a career strategy and marketing executive, but his passion is giving back to the community through a wide range of volunteer, board and civic commission positions. In his various professional and volunteer roles, he has seen first-hand how trauma and its aftermath can impact individuals, their families, and the community at large. Through his work at Pinetree, he hopes to help improve prevention strategies for abuse, addiction, and other trauma-related illnesses. In addition to his work at Pinetree Institute, he is the President of the Seacoast Repertory Theatre and is a member of both the City of Portsmouth’s Arts and Cultural Commission and the Economic Development Commission. He and his equally active wife Susan reside in Portsmouth but regularly go “over the bridge” into Maine.
Ann Bliss
Secretary
Ann C. Bliss, M.A. is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and has maintained a private practice for more than 30 years in Portsmouth, NH. She serves as a guest lecturer in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of New Hampshire and is the Executive Director of the Center for Trauma Intervention, LLC. Ann is an active member of the NH Behavioral Health Disaster Response Advisory Committee and Response Team (DBHRT) and the Youth Suicide Advisory Assembly (YSPA). As a certified CISM trainer, she offers training in Critical Incident Stress Management Intervention for schools, communities, and business. Following the September 11th tragedy, Ann went to NYC with a response team from the Trauma Center of Boston. In 1998, She developed, and for 10 years directed, the Seacoast Response Team, a school and community-based crisis network in both Rockingham and Strafford Counties. This team is now a part of the NH Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team managed by the Dept of Safety: Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In addition to her work on the Pinetree Institute board, Ann is currently the Board President of the Seacoast Renewable Energy Initiative.
Kim Kelsey
Member
Kim Kelsey is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years’ experience in the field of family therapy and social work education. She served on the faculty of the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Social Work until May of 2018 where she taught courses in Human Behavior and Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliencies.
She has a private psychotherapy practice in York, Maine and also works for Merrimack Valley Hospice in the York community as well as the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. She believes in a holistic approach to healing and well-being. Some avenues for self-care that she practices and weaves into her professional work are yoga, prayer and meditation, sandtray therapy and nature therapy.
She believes that since the root of most trauma lies in the disruption of healthy connections, healing must occur in the context of building creative and supportive connections with self, others and the sacred.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors as well as reading, sewing and cooking for her friends and her large family which includes ten grandchildren.
Gregg Dowty
Member
Gregg Dowty is retired after serving as the President and Executive Director of the Children’s Home of Easton in Easton, PA. He also served as the Deputy Executive Director and then Executive Director of Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys and Girls located in Hinckley, ME. These positions followed 20 years in various administrative and teaching positions in Central Maine schools.
He holds a bachelor degree from The University of Maine at Farmington, a Masters degree in Educational Administration from The University of Southern Maine, a Certificate of Advanced Study from The University of Maine, and he received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine. His doctoral work focused on the role of significant adults as protective factors in the lives of at-risk youth.
Gregg has served in leadership roles with a number of professional organizations at the local, state and national levels. He has served as the President of the Maine Association of Group Care Providers, President of Maine Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Chair of the MSAD 74 School Board of Directors, ASCD International Board of Directors, and Chair of the Residential Care Consortium.
Gregg also served on several boards of directors including the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development International, National Fellowship of Childcare Executives, Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services. Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment, Non-Profit and Business Partners Council of The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lehigh Valley, Waterville Opera House and Pro Kids of Easton. Gregg is a member The Rotary Club of Dover, NH and its 2020-21 president. He also serves as Rotary District 7780 Protection Officer
Danielle Nonamaker
Member
Danielle is a local financial advisor who also has experience in the education and nonprofit sector. She has a strong sense of purpose when giving back and helping others.
Prior to making a career shift, she was a Director for a HeadStart program in Lowell, MA. She grew a passion for helping children and families overcome trauma and other inequities. Outside of Pinetree, Danielle runs a women's conference on the Seacoast, an executive board member for the Hampton Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Hampton Rotary Club, and volunteers for other local nonprofit organizations.
Pinetree Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality of origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, recovery status, or military status in any of its operations. This includes, but is not limited to, hiring and firing personnel, the selection of volunteers and vendors, and the provision of services.
We commit to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, contractors, vendors, clients, and program participants.