Who We Are

We are a dedicated group of individuals passionate about substance use prevention in our community. Through community education and engagement, youth empowerment, and policy change, we work to prioritize prevention here in Winooski, VT.

Our team is committed to keeping our community well-informed about the health risks associated with youth substance use and sharing best practices for prevention. By focusing on underage drinking, tobacco, cannabis use, and prescription drug misuse prevention, we strive to create a healthier future for our youth.

At WPP, we believe in changing cultural norms that support substance misuse. We bring together all sectors of our community, providing opportunities for involvement in prevention efforts and fostering collaboration to improve local policies.

  • Kate Nugent

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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  • Marielle Matthews

    POLICY & GRANTS MANAGER

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  • Mukhtar Abdullahi

    SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION EDUCATOR

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Diana Buchanan, Board President

Diana (she/her) currently works as a clinical social worker based in Winooski. Diana Buchanan earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Vermont and specializes in working collaboratively with transgender and gender diverse people and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as adults and teens diagnosed with ADHD, people with disabilities, and survivors of violence and sexual abuse. Diana is inspired by the Winooski Partnership for Prevention's focus on building strength within the community and the potential to reduce the impacts of substance use, especially on populations historically targeted by substance industries. 

Netalya Hill, Youth Board Member

Netalya Hill is a first-year student at Winooski School District. Netalya has participated in Winooski Partnership for Prevention programs and leadership opportunities since she was in fifth grade. Netalya has been interviewed in media stories about substance use and impacts on youth, as well as provided the voice for a Chittenden County student-led public service announcement that played in Essex Theaters for many months in the 2021 summer, as well as received over 40,000 views on YouTube at last count. 

Board of Trustees

Chandra Duba

Chandra Duba is a volunteer with the Winooski Recreation and Parks Department, assisting with youth program development and instruction. Living in recovery for 11 years now, Chandra wants to help others with their recovery, especially youth. She said being homeless off and on for a number of years while being a mother of three children was difficult, but in the end, brought them closer together as a family. Chandra now wants to provide support to families going through similar struggles. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry.

Lukas Zweres, Youth Board Member

Lukas is a senior in high school and resident of Winoosk. Lukas joined the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2018, and has been participating and advocating on behalf of prevention efforts in Winooski since he was in middle school. Lukas has attended numerous city council meetings and important events and spoken on behalf of this work and his passion for it. Lukas attended the national Youth to Youth conference in Rhode Island in July of 2018 and Dover Youth to Youth in New Hampshire in July of 2019.

Sarah Reed

Sarah is a staff attorney and Chittenden County public defender whose work intersects often with impacts from substance use disorders. Sarah is excited to help create a healthier community that provides healthier opportunities for youth and a future in which there are fewer substance use disorders. In her spare time, Sarah likes to hike, paddleboard, snowshoe, and bake. Sarah has also worked with a key group of stakeholders to form a small nonprofit that supports the mission of Vermont treatment courts. 

Interested in becoming a board member?  Please contact Kate Nugent, Executive Director at katenugent@winooskiprevention.org for more information. We are always looking for strong ambassadors to assist the organization in achieving our mission and strengthening capacity.

Matthew Bernstein

Matthew is a Child, Youth, and Family Advocate at Vermont Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate. Matthew is a Winooski resident and father of two young children, and has been an avid participant of our community dinners and has worked his whole career to protect and support children and youth."