Sean O’Brien
Chief Executive Officer
Sean has been involved in the non-profit and education fields for the past 30 years in various capacities. He specializes in Youth Leadership development; empowering youth to live and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle; specifically in the training of student leaders to implement alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention strategies in their schools and communities as well as improving school climate through experiential activities and open dialogue.
As the CEO of Adapt, Inc. Sean has grown the program significantly thanks to funding from various sources including Federal, State, County, Town and foundation funds for age appropriate and developmentally based programs. These programs include:
Teaching students about the dangers of emerging drugs, provide family and community activities designed to set clear expectations against use of illegal substances and appropriate consequences for such behaviors.
Dissemination of drug prevention information to schools and communities throughout the North Country of New Hampshire.
Professional development and training for school personnel, parents, and/or community members in mentoring, prevention education, early identification, intervention.
Referral services as well as community-wide planning and activities to reduce substance use and abuse.
In the education field, for the past 20 years Sean implemented the evidence based Project SUCCESS and Project Venture curriculums at Lin-Wood and Profile Public School as well as in a number of other middle and high schools throughout the North Country of New Hampshire. He has consulted with North Country Education Services as well as North Country Health Consortium since ‘07 as the creator and Regional Coordinator of the Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) program, Project Venture, and Project SUCCESS and CMCA Evidence Based programs. In the summer of ‘11 he began the Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) Summer Leadership Institute. This course provides students with a comprehensive approach to the development of youth as leaders. This course has since been restructured under our Wilderness Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) program.
Sean is originally from Long Island, New York. He came to New Hampshire to attend Plymouth State College and immediately fell in love with the area. He enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, rock climbing, cooking and traveling. He's been married to his wife, Tanya, for twenty eight years and has two beautiful children. He and his wife adopted their daughter, Lily, from China and their son, Zeland, from Ethiopia.
Lynn
Positive Youth Development Director
Lynn grew up in heart of the White Mountains, where her connection to nature and the community played a central role in her life. Now raising her family in the same area, she is excited to be back working for Adapt as the Positive Youth Director. With over 10 years of experience across Adapts various initiatives and having been a participant herself during her high school years, she knows firsthand the power of outdoor education in shaping personal growth.
When she’s not busy with Adapt, Lynn enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. You can also often find her in the garden, continuing to nurture her lifelong love for nature.
Luke
PYD Program Facilitator
Luke is a graduate of the Mountain Recreation Management Adventure Leadership program out of Vermont State University in Lyndon back in 2019. Much of the last decade has been spent traveling the country working outside for guide services and in the outdoor education field.
Getting into climbing and outdoor pursuits at such a young age, Luke has a passion for showing the next generation of young people how safely navigate challenges the mountains can throw at us and to work together to achieve common goals.
You can find Luke in his off hours likely sitting on the summit of the Eaglet spire in Franconia Notch enjoying the best view in the notch.
Leela
PYD Program Facilitator
Leela grew up exploring the forests and landscapes of Western Massachusetts, where her love for nature was nurtured through playful adventures in the woods, following winding streams and rivers, and searching for creatures beneath rocks and logs. From a young age, she developed a deep appreciation for the Earth and continues to seek ways to live in respectful relationship with the land.
With over a decade of experience working in summer camps and nature-based programs, and a degree in Adventure Education, Leela is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between people and the natural world. Her approach to outdoor education emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of place.
In her free time, Leela finds joy in immersive nature experiences—whether walking barefoot through the forest, singing with the windows down on winding dirt roads, or creating intricate mandalas from natural materials.
Allison
Restorative Justice & Diversion Coordinator
Allison works closely with youth, families, and harmed parties to implement individualized reparative plans, she guides participants through a restorative justice process centered on accountability, healing, and community engagement.
Allison holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling and an Experienced Educator License through the New Hampshire Department of Education. Previously, she worked as a School Counselor in the Exeter Region Cooperative School District and at a trauma-focused alternative high school in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Her school-based work included crisis intervention, mental health referrals, 504 Plan coordination, and student programming designed to build leadership, resilience, and academic success; particularly for court-involved youth and those navigating complex challenges. Allison’s professional approach blends evidence-based practices with a deep commitment to restorative principles, youth empowerment, and community well-being.
Outside of work, Allison loves spending time with her husband and their two young children. Whether they’re adventuring in nature, spending time at the lake, or just playing at the local playground, they enjoy staying active as a family and making the most of the outdoors. At home, they enjoy gardening, reading books, playing games, and cooking together.
Charlotte
Student Assistant Provider
Charlotte has hands-on experience working in youth recreation through after-school and summer programming, she has developed strong skills in creating safe, inclusive environments for young learners. She has a background in youth engagement, behavior support, and program coordination, and is passionate about health-centered, inclusive programming.
She is committed to building trusting relationships, promoting social-emotional growth, and helping students navigate challenges with confidence.
Charlotte holds a degree in Public Health with a focus on Health Education, emphasizing both emotional and physical well-being in her work.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and enjoying music.
Mariah
Student Assistant Provider
Mariah is a southern New Jersey native who moved to New Hampshire 12 years ago with the intent of only staying for the summer. It didn’t take long for her to realize she found her new home and is currently living in North Woodstock, NH with her young son. Mariah is passionate about influencing positive change and dedicated to building a better tomorrow, today. For as long as she can remember, Mariah has been a huge fan of people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi and Mother Teresa, just to name a few. Their boldness and bravery to do what is right, teach other people to love and respect each other and serve our neighbor has always inspired her greatly and given her the courage to continue seeking positive light at all times. Mariah is a lover of community, animals and fresh air.
In her free time she enjoys sharing new experiences with her son, traveling to unfamiliar places and walking dogs.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors consists of community members from the towns which we serve.