About US

Partnership For Public Health Logo Icon. A colorful circular diagram with four arrow-shaped segments pointing clockwise, colored green, purple, red, and orange, surrounding a white circle at the center.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Partnership for Public Health logo with interconnected colorful circles and bold text.

Our Mission

To lead and partner in public health strategies across the Lakes Region and New Hampshire for safer and healthier communities.

Our Story

In 2005, a group of Lakes Region leaders saw a gap: no nonprofit existed with a mission solely focused on public health. They came together to form the Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health, creating a coordinating hub that united agencies, healthcare providers, and community partners to improve the health and well-being of everyone in the region.

In 2014, as our reach expanded, we became Partnership for Public Health (PPH). Today, we lead collaborative strategies across four key pillars, strengthening community systems, connecting resources, and supporting meaningful solutions that make our communities safer and healthier.

Our Four Pillars of Service

We bring together organizations to break down silos, align priorities, and foster programs that improve health outcomes for every member of our community.

Community

Health

Your first stop for education, resources, and long-term support—helping you and your family live well at every stage of life.

Human

Services

Working with first responders, healthcare partners, and community leaders to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies and disasters.

Emergency

Preparedness

Reducing risk and harm by supporting substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention, and social connection initiatives, building pathways to healthier lives.

Prevention

Strategies

We are so much more than access and information - it is about bringing people together for the community’s wellbeing. 

We’re Better Together.

SEE WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR

Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team brings together decades of experience in public health, community development, and nonprofit management.

They provide the strategic direction and day-to-day operational oversight that keeps Partnership for Public Health responsive, innovative, and deeply connected to the needs of those who live, work, and visit New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Their focus: building healthier, safer, stronger communities, together.

Executive TEAM

Tammy Carmichael, Chief Executive Officer. A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, glasses, and a warm smile, wearing a black top and a brown quilted vest, posing against a plain neutral background.

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Tammy brings three decades of experience in public service and nonprofit leadership to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership for Public Health (PPH). Appointed CEO after serving as Executive Director since 2020, Tammy has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking, outcomes-driven approach to improving public health and strengthening community systems.

    With a strong background in leading social support and public health programs, Tammy is recognized for her operational excellence, responsiveness to community needs, and ability to foster innovation. She is deeply committed to advancing fair and humane strategies, collaboration, and sustainable change through transparent leadership and inclusive team building.

    Her leadership style, rooted in emotional intelligence, accountability, and clear communication, has helped transform PPH into a dynamic, community-centered organization. Tammy believes that strong public health systems are shaped by the voices and needs of those they serve. As one of her mentors once said, “A public health agency is what a community needs it to be.” Tammy lives by that vision, ensuring that PPH remains flexible, responsive, and focused on making our region as healthy and safe as possible.

    Tammy also embodies the spirit of PPH’s core belief: “We’re Better Together.” Whether leading cross-sector initiatives, building strategic partnerships, or empowering her team, she champions collaboration as the key to achieving lasting impact in the communities we serve.

    Inspired by the work of sociologist Margaret Mead, Tammy’s career has spanned from direct case management to systems-level policy advocacy. Her passion remains grounded in helping individuals and communities thrive through public health strategies that create immediate and long-lasting, meaningful change.

Courtney DeVost, Chief Operating Officer. Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, smiling, wearing a light gray cardigan over a black top, and a cross necklace against a dark gray background.

  • Chief Operating Officer

    Courtney is the Chief Operating Officer at the Partnership for Public Health and is dedicated to improving public health across the Lakes Region and New Hampshire. Joining the organization in September 2020, Courtney has steadily grown her role, progressing from roles in finance, operations, and HR into her current COO position..

    With a strong focus on efficiency, transparency, and fostering a positive organizational culture, Courtney has spearheaded key initiatives that strengthen accountability and streamline operations. She implemented a comprehensive cost allocation plan, standardized forms and processes to increase federal compliance, developed an improved onboarding process for staff, and advanced IT infrastructure through collaborative partnerships. These efforts not only increased organizational efficiency but also enhanced the Partnership’s capacity to deliver services that keep our communities safe, healthy, and thriving.

Adminstrative TEAM

Jonathan Lile-Sexton, Director of Development. A young man with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a mustache dressed in a dark suit, light blue shirt, and striped tie, smiling against a plain gray background, wearing a circular rainbow-colored pin.

  • Director of Development and Communication Strategies

    Jonathan serves as the Director of Development and Communication Strategies at the Partnership for Public Health, where he leads the organization’s storytelling and messaging efforts. His work focuses on creating space for real people to share real stories, and on shaping those stories in ways that reflect both the complexity of lived experience and the clarity needed to inspire action.

    With many years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jonathan has built a career around translating the often messy realities of community work into narratives that are honest, accessible, and impactful. He specializes in helping organizations communicate their mission with integrity, ensuring that programs are not just understood, but felt by the audiences they are meant to reach.

    Jonathan approaches communications as both an art and a responsibility. By organizing complex stories without smoothing over their truth, he helps elevate community voices while strengthening trust with partners, funders, and the public.

    “I believe our job is not to clean up the mess of real life, but to make room for it. When we tell stories honestly and thoughtfully, people see themselves in the work and understand why it matters.”

Joyce Cameron, Director of HR & Operations. A woman with gray curly hair smiling, wearing a beige sweater and a maroon jacket against a dark background.

  • Director of HR & Operations

    Joyce brings over a decade of dedicated experience in human services and public health administration to her role as a senior leader. Currently serving as the Director of Human Resources and Operations, she has established herself as a forward-thinking administrator with an advanced understanding of the State of New Hampshire’s Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and a profound commitment to community wellness.

    With a career built on operational excellence and strategic planning, Joyce is recognized for her ability to navigate complex federal and state systems while remaining deeply responsive to individual community needs.

    Joyce’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration and transparent communication. By fostering vital partnerships between healthcare providers, government agencies, and stakeholders to synchronize regional efforts, she believes that effective public health is achieved through collective goals.

    Her professional journey reflects a comprehensive climb from direct service to systems-level leadership. Having served as a Case Manager, Options Counselor, and Human Services Administrator, Joyce possesses a unique “ground-up” perspective on the challenges facing older adults, veterans, and family caregivers. This diverse background fuels her passion for creating inclusive, efficient programs that empower individuals to age in place and thrive within their communities.

    An alumna of Southern New Hampshire University with degrees in both Psychology and Business Administration, Joyce combines a deep understanding of human behavior with sharp organizational expertise. Whether managing subcontracts, piloting community initiatives like the Business Expo, or spearheading emergency preparedness efforts through CERT, she remains focused on a singular goal: making the region as healthy, safe, and resilient as possible.

  • Director of Finance

Programs TEAM

Emma Petersen, Public Health Programs Administrator. A young woman with wavy dark hair, smiling, wearing a light blue shirt and a gray plaid blazer against a plain background.

  • Public Health Programs Administrator

    Emma serves as the Public Health Program Administrator at Partnership for Public Health, where she strategically manages key public health initiatives, including prevention, emergency preparedness, and Winnipesaukee Mobile Health – a Community Health Worker (CHW) and Community Paramedicine Program. She also directs the Public Health Advisory Council, fostering collaboration and consensus among diverse partners to ensure effective communication across all regional efforts.

    Adept at leveraging data for quality improvement and driving impactful program integration, Emma consistently analyzes data to identify areas for improvement and achieve positive health outcomes. Her background, including previous experience as an educator and researcher, allows her to break down complex ideas into easily understandable concepts, fostering greater public engagement. This unique blend of experience enables her to approach public health issues with both rigor and a clear communication style. Furthermore, her experience as a CHW provides a deep perspective on the individual needs of the community, shaping her outlook on public health issues.

    Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Biology with a minor in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a Certified Community Health Worker in New Hampshire.

  • Human Services Administrator

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a dedicated group of community and business leaders who guide our mission with vision, governance, and accountability.

Their diverse expertise and regional perspective ensure PPH remains a trusted partner and an effective voice for public health strategies across the Lakes Region and beyond.

Jessica Morton,

Vice President
Community Member

Lori Nash,

Treasurer
Granite VNA

Margaret Franckhauser,

President
RN (Ret.), MPH, MS

Ken Sawyer
Franklin Savings Bank, Franklin

Gina McGuire
Community Member, Ret. Nurse

Chief Timothy Joubert
Laconia Fire Department

Alicia Jipson
Town of Belmont

Gwen Whitney-Gill
Concord Hospital

Mark Waldner,
Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A.

Our Commitment to Transparency

An elderly man with a beard and a young woman are smiling at each other while sitting at a table with a laptop.

Join Us in Building a Healthier Community

Partner with us, volunteer, or explore our programs to see how you can make a difference.

GET INVOLVED TODAY