Board & Staff Members
Amy Clark
Amy is an “affected other” and recovery ally who believes strongly that supporting recovery is a community responsibility. Along with serving as an active member on the Board of Directors, Amy currently chairs the marketing and development committee, and co-facilitates the BARN’s monthly Addiction in The Family meeting. Amy works as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Haley Ward, and lives in Bangor with her daughter, Maddy and her dog, Bella.
Noah Nesin, MD
Dr. Noah Nesin has been a family doctor in Maine since 1986 and currently serves as Innovation Advisor at Penobscot Community Health Care. During his tenure as Chief Medical Officer he worked to expand access to treatment for use disorders and to address the stigma associated with addiction both in the
medical profession and in the community at large. Dr. Nesin was a co-founder of Maine Quality Counts’ Maine Chronic Pain Collaborative, is Chair of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s National Integration Academy Council, is a member of Maine’s Opioid Clinical Advisory Group and Maine’s Governor has appointed him chair of the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board and also appointed him as a member of Maine’s Board of Licensure in Medicine. Dr. Nesin is the immediate Past-President of the Maine Public Health Association.
Brenda Godin
Brenda is an “affected other” and believes that the BARN is a vital part of the community as well as a safe haven for those in need. Her involvement with the BARN began in the Spring of 2018 when the BARN was applying for their State Contract for the Peer Recovery Center. Since she works for a local non-profit who has numerous State Contracts, her knowledge helped the BARN complete the application and eventually receive their State award. From there, Brenda became a member of the Marketing/Development Committee then helped establish more detail financial reports as well as assisting with the budgeting process. She has since become a member of the Finance Committee and is now a member of the Board.
Kole Taylor
Kole is in long term recovery from substance use. He is working toward his degree in recovery advocacy and addiction counseling while employed as a counselor at the mens residential rehabilitation center in Bangor, Maine. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah Kole has participated in street outreach events and recovery conferences across the country. He is an advocate tor those who haven’t found their voice, specializing in harm reduction and the LBGTQ+ community.
Heather Hansen
Heather is a mission-driven healthcare administrator with more than 25 years of progressive experience across hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit organizations. She specializes in grant strategy, proposal development, compliance, and cross-sector collaboration to advance equitable, patient-centered care. Heather currently serves as Director of Grants & Development at Penobscot Community Health Care. In addition to serving on the BARN Board of Directors, Heather is a member of the Penquis Board, Vice President of the Good Samaritan Agency Board, and a County Advisor for the Maine Community Foundation. A Bangor native, she now lives in Hermon with her husband, two dogs, and three cats. She is the proud mother of three adult sons and grandmother to a lively six-year-old boy. Heather finds deep fulfillment in her work and community service and values her mission-driven colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dining out with family and friends, camping, traveling, and cooking Sunday dinner for her family.
Amy Roeder
Amy Roeder is a longtime leader in the nonprofit, arts, and workforce development sectors. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Evansville, an MFA from the University of Georgia, and an MBA from the University of Maine. Throughout her career, Amy has worked in nonprofit leadership, corporate training, and public service, with a focus on strengthening communities, expanding economic opportunity, and supporting working families. She brings extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, public policy, and organizational leadership to her board service.
Ashley Homstead
Ashley Homstead is a woman in long term recovery devoted to sharing the message of hope, recovery and wellness without stigma. She has cultivated her message through 10yrs of experience in the fields of Substance Use, Mental Health and Advocacy, along with 6yrs of experience in Energy Healing. Ashley holds an MSW from UMaine. In addition to her work on the Board of Directors at the BARN, Ashley is the Executive Director for Spooky Barbie Healing LLC, a Mental Health Counseling and Energy Healing Shop, as well as Dark Ethereal Estates LLC, an Integrated Wellness Center, both located in Brewer, ME. Outside of work and advocacy, Ashley shares her time and her heart with other members in recovery, her 8 cats, and her dog named, Rosco.
Kylee Francis Fowler
Kylee Francis Fowler is a recovery advocate, public speaker, and community leader dedicated
to supporting healing and wellness within Indigenous communities. In January 2023, she
graduated from the Welawtasok (“On the Good Path”) Program through the Penobscot Tribal
Healing to Wellness Court, marking a significant milestone in her personal journey of healing
and self-discovery.
Following her graduation, Kylee became a Peer Recovery Advocate within the same program
that supported her recovery. Drawing upon her lived experience, she now walks alongside
others on their recovery journeys, offering guidance, encouragement, and hope.
As the first Certified Peer Support Specialist and Maine State Certified Recovery Coach in her
community, Kylee has helped pave the way for culturally grounded recovery support. Her work
focuses on fostering healing through compassion, community connection, and Indigenous
values. In recognition of her dedication, she received the Bay dt ge a’hanja Healing to Wellness
Advocate of the Year Award in 2023.
Kylee has served as a Board Member of the National Treatment Court Alumni Association
(NTCAA) and has been actively involved with national recovery and treatment court initiatives.
Since 2023, she has presented on topics including recovery advocacy, the power of alumni
engagement, and sharing personal stories with dignity. She has collaborated with NTCAA and
All Rise, a national leader in advancing treatment court and recovery-focused justice initiatives.
Deeply rooted in her culture, Kylee embraces the teachings of the White Bison Institute and
facilitates weekly Wellbriety meetings. As a mother, advocate, and leader, she strives to walk “in
a good way,” inspiring others through her commitment to recovery, cultural healing, and
community empowerment.
BARN Staff
Robert Fickett
Bangor Area Recovery Network, Executive Director
Robert Fickett is a son, brother, father, and friend in long-term recovery from substance use disorder. Robert’s work at the BARN from a Volunteer to Executive Director has been an expression of his passion for recovery advocacy and peer-based recovery support services. He strongly holds the belief that love is a remedy we can all administer at no cost.
Angela Walker
Peer Services Coordinator
Angela is a trained CCAR Recovery Coach and oversees the Recovery Justice, and Recovery coaching program. Angela is a woman in recovery, who enjoys supporting others in their recovery-she supports all pathways of recovery. Angela has over a decade of experience in Mental Health and Substance use fields, specializing in Peer Support, Recovery Coaching and supervisor roles. Angela also brings a tremendous number of resources in the community, that she herself has proudly taken a part in, on her own journey and prides herself in sharing these experiences with others. Angela is a devoted Wife, Mother, Daughter, Auntie and Nana to 6 amazing Grandkids, Cat Mom to two handsome cats and a Dog Mom to a beautiful pup. She enjoys going for drives to the ocean, crocheting, any outdoor activities no matter the season and enjoys spending time with her family.
Kathy Colson
Volunteer Coordinator
Kathy Colson is a recovery ally and an “affected other”. She has a passion for helping others and has an understanding that there are many pathways in recovery. She started as a volunteer here at the BARN in 2017 as a volunteer and is now our Volunteer Coordinator. She also has provided recovery coaching services since 2018. She is the mom of 2 girls. She enjoys time with her family and friends, crocheting and other hobbies as well as the outdoors and nature.
Madison Valle
Community Outreach Specialist
Maddy is a dedicated Recovery Ally and Affected Other who joined the Barn with a mission to empower others on their journey to recovery. Her passion lies in helping individuals find their path to healing and reclaim their lives. Maddy believes strongly in advocating for recovery and ending the stigma associated with it, making this work deeply personal to her. In honor of her sister’s memory, she dedicates herself to supporting those in need. She holds an Associate’s degree in Addiction Counseling and is a CCAR-trained Recovery Coach. When she’s not working, Maddy enjoys spending time by the lake and relaxing with her two cats.
Sarah Shurtleff
Recovery Coach Coordinator
Sarah is a grateful woman in recovery with a deep passion for supporting others. As the Recovery Coach Coordinator at the BARN, she leads the recovery coaching team with both professional experience and lived insight. Her journey with the BARN began through her own recovery from Substance Use Disorder, followed by volunteering and serving two years on the Board of Directors, including terms as vice chair and chair.
Before entering the recovery field, Sarah built a long career in retail banking, but her heart was always drawn to helping people on a more personal level. Over the past two years, she has worked as a Recovery Coach, Residential Support Worker, and CRMA.
Sarah is a proud wife, mother, and friend to all. She finds joy in gardening, walking in nature, caring for houseplants, collecting rocks, and—most of all—spoiling her three cats and ten chickens. Known for her friendly smile and warm “hello,” Sarah believes deeply in the power of peer support and embraces the truth that there are many pathways to recovery. She is committed to ensuring that everyone feels loved, supported, and empowered along their own unique path.
Douglas Burrill
Recovery Justice Coach
Douglas Burrill is a son, friend, and person in recovery who is passionate about helping others find hope and purpose. His journey in recovery has inspired him to give back to the community, beginning as a volunteer and growing into his role as a Recovery Justice Coach at the BARN. Douglas is committed to supporting individuals involved in the justice system by offering guidance, encouragement, and connection to recovery resources. He believes that recovery is possible for everyone and that through compassion, accountability, and peer support, individuals can build meaningful and fulfilling lives.