​Margaret Nelson
Executive Director

​​​Margaret's experience in human resources, marketing, teaching and managing volunteers has made her more than capable of navigating The River Center and staff through all of its challenges and successes of the past 10+ years bringing enthusiasm and her knack for connecting with people. She has served on a number of nonprofit boards including time on the former Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, and as president of the board for Family Support NH.

Margaret put down roots in Dublin in 1992 where she and her husband, Dave, raised 3 daughters. She is "gramma" to 6 grandchildren spread out between New Hampshire and North Carolina. Outside of work, she loves to hike, kayak, and camp in as many National Parks as possible.

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jULIE tHERON
pARENT eDUCATOR

Julie joins The River Center with a master's degree in pediatric nursing.  The focus of her professional career was caring for children and their families, from the postpartum period throughout childhood.  She has a special love for babies, and supporting families as they transition into the world of parenthood.  Julie is also passionate about holistic living, and continues to study yoga and Ayurveda.

Julie lives in Peterborough with her husband, two children, and three cats.  She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and knitting all kinds of cozy things.​

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KELLI TOURGEE
EARLY HOME SUPPORT/PARENT EDUCATOR

Kelli began working with FACT and The Family Center in 1998. Her years of experience working with children and families benefits the home visiting work and parent education she does with The River Center. Before coming on board, she worked at Peterborough Elementary School as a 1:1 aide and she was a home daycare provider. She works with all age groups – from infants in the home visiting program to parents and young children in Families, Forests, and Farms and families in the Jaffrey parenting group to tweens and teens in Safe Sitter. She loves working with people!

She loves her family, friends, and clamming in Rhode Island.

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lisa curran
Community resource assistant

Lisa has a passion for helping and supporting all in need, along with building relationships and trust. She has 3 wonderful daughters, who are all grown up, and 3 precious grandchildren who are so special to her.
She enjoys camping, swimming and country music. Her favorite season is Summer!

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MANDY CARTER
Kinship Navigator/Community Resource Specialist

Mandy has two very important roles at The River Center: as a Community Resource Specialist, Mandy partners with individuals and families to navigate the challenges they are facing by listening to their needs and referring them to available resources; as a Kinship Navigator, she supports grandparents and other relative caregivers who are raising non-biological children by supporting and referring them to resources specific to their needs.  Mandy is passionate about helping people, so this role is a great fit for her!

She lives in Peterborough with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys the beach, fishing,
​and crafts.

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NICOLE DANIELS
Children's Teacher

Nicole joins The River Center staff with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She loves working with children and seeing their creativity bloom, making her a perfect fit as the children’s teacher in programs like the Jaffrey Parent and Child group and Families, Forests, and Farms. 

She enjoys kayaking, bike riding, and playing outside with her 2 children and her husband. She and her family participated in the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge last year - and they did it!

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Nicole Snide
Children's Teacher

Nicole joins the River Center with a passion for helping children learn and grow. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from River Valley Community College. Before her current role as a stay-at-home Mom, Nicole was a Lead Teacher at the Keene Day Care. She’s excited to bring this experience to the Mini Explorers and Music programs.

In her free time, Nicole loves to go hiking, fishing, and kayaking with her 3 children and her husband. On Sundays, she spends the day rooting on the Patriots with good food and family!

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NISA SIMILA
Communications and Money Matters Coordinator

In her dual roles as Communications and Money Matters Coordinator at The River Center, Nisa brings an eclectic background as a former speech-language pathologist, stay-at-home mom, PTO secretary, and children's teacher. From managing the social media accounts and website to coordinating volunteers in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, she has a unique view of the organization behind the scenes and in direct service.

She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and riding her Vespa all over New England in her spare time. Raised in Canada, she lives in Peterborough with her husband, their 2 daughters, and their dog.

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SHANNON MCNAMARA
Family Support Program Director

Shannon works in program development and facilitation in the family support program area of The River Center. She loves community outreach and researching and implementing programs and activities that can positively impact families, community and culture. Shannon has a particular passion for meeting the needs of youth and adolescents and enjoys designing and facilitating programs for parents and teens on maintaining good communication and understanding with one another.

Shannon grew up in the Monadnock region and has deep roots in the area. She lives in Hancock with her husband, three children and very active dog. A perfect day would be morning coffee with her husband on the deck, lunch with friends at Fiddleheads, followed by kayaking, dinner and music at Orchard Hill Pizza night, or taking in a Drive-In movie.

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STEPHANIE LATINI
yOUTH AND fAMILY eDUCATOR​

​Stephanie joins the River Center as a Youth and Family Educator. Her enthusiasm for teaching and motivational coaching comes from her background in college instruction as well as her training in competitive powerlifting. While she has worked with many age groups, she enjoys focusing on older teens and young adults.

Hailing originally from New Jersey but now living in Peterborough, Stephanie has a passion for good food, joyful movement, and lively conversation, especially with her two daughters. She is also a published poet and writer of science fiction. She received a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies from Columbia University, and was a doctoral candidate of Urban Systems from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

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SUE WHITAKER
Data and Donor Coordinator

Sue handles all things related to donations and data. Sue tracks and reports on information about participants in each of our programs so that our donors and funders know how we are using their generous dollars. She also acknowledges donations and helps run our fundraising campaigns such as NH Gives.

Sue enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and 4 children in Peterborough, where she has made her home for over 17 years.

board of directors

​Douglas Sutherland

Chair
DEIB Consultant
Resides in Hancock, NH

Patricia McCarthy

Treasurer
​​Retired educator, Jaffrey Rindge SD Resides in ​Jaffrey, NH

Peggy Lee

​Member
Retired educator
Resides in ​New Ipswich, NH

ivor edmonds

Member
​​Sága LLC
​Resides in ​Peterborough, NH

KRISTEN GARLAND

Vice-Chair
​​Educator, The Well School
Resides in ​Peterborough, NH

STEPHANIE THOMSON

​Secretary
Upton & Hatfield, LLP
Resides in ​Peterborough, NH

​​AMY THERIAULT

Member
Creative Consultant
​Resides in Peterborough, NH

tim kolk

Member
TRK Advisors
Resides in ​​Peterborough, NH