Team

Board of Directors

Lisa DiMartino, Chair

Lisa is a disability rights and public health advocate, and currently serves on the New Hampshire Medical Care Advisory Committee, DHHS.

In the past, Lisa has served on numerous committees and boards including the N.H. Governor's Commission on Disability, the Brain Injury Association Legislative Group, and the N.H. Coalition of Caring Committee. She also served as the Chair of the Disability Rights Center Board of Directors, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the New England Genetics Group.

Lisa was a member of the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee, and the Long Term Care Committee while serving as a NH State Representative for Gilford and Meredith. Lisa was also a Legislative Liaison and Family-to-Family Coordinator for Lakes Region Community Services, and served on the Family Support Council. Lisa worked as a Children’s Librarian at the Gilford Public Library for many years, where she enjoyed interacting with the community.        

Lisa earned a B.A. in Social Science from Rhode Island College and attended the Social Work Graduate Program at the University of New England. She is also a graduate of the N.H. Leadership Series, UNH Institute on Disability, and the Gamaliel National Leadership Program, Norfolk, VA.

Lisa’s 28-year-old son John Michael has Mosaic Triploidy, Autism, Epilepsy and other health issues and lives at home with Lisa and her husband Gary, and they are his primary caregivers. John Michael hopes to one day live with his friends in the Home Possible Project’s forever home!   

Lisa was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and lived throughout the United States before settling in Gilford with her family more than 25 years ago. She enjoys reading, gardening, and staying active and fit.

Karen McDowell, Secretary

Karen McDowell, her husband Joe, and her son, Corey, have made their home in the Lakes Region since 2005. She has a BS in Mass Communications from Emerson College and a professional background in journalism, public relations, and marketing. Karen currently works at the Congregational Church of Laconia, serving as Communications Associate.

She was a Supports Intensity Scale Interviewer for the Community Support Network, Inc. (CSNI), certified by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) to administer the Supports Intensity Scale - Adult Version® (SIS-A®) - a standardized assessment tool designed to measure the pattern and intensity of supports that a person aged 16 years and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities requires to be successful in community settings.

Prior to that, she worked at Lakes Region Community Services for almost 10 years as a Family-to-Family Coordinator, Legislative Liaison, and Public Relations Assistant.

In their spare time, Karen and her family enjoy visiting the Gilford Town Beach, watching movies together, occasionally traveling to places where the air doesn’t hurt their faces, and relaxing by the campfire with their neighbors.

Debra Nugent, Treasurer

Before retiring in 2017, Deb worked as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal and Assistant Office Manager at a midsize law firm for 32 years. She then moved on to work as the Office Manager and Legal Assistant/Paralegal at a small law firm for five years. Deb now supports her son Ian with his daily activities.

Deb received an Associates Degree from the New Hampshire Vocational-Technical College and attended Granite State College in the Behavior Sciences and Business Management program

In order for her son Ian to be able to participate in Special Olympics, Deb started a new local Special Olympics team and served as the Local Program Coordinator and a Certified Coach for several years. This involved managing team funds, fundraising, athlete registrations and eligibility, as well as planning team activities.

She also has been a member of the Lakes Region Community Services Family Support Council for many years and currently holds the office of Vice-Chair. The Family Support Council works in partnership with Lakes Region Community Services, and strives to empower families and is a voice for change and inclusion through advocacy and education. The Council also provides a forum for families to make their concerns, needs and preferences known to the Area Agency and policy makers.

Deb lives in Belmont with her husband Don and their adult son Ian, who has Down syndrome.

Joel Fisher, Vice-Chair

Joel Fisher is the founding principal of Fisher Engineering, PC, a structural engineering firm located in Gilford, New Hampshire. Joel graduated from the University of Miami in 1984 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Architectural and Civil Engineering. He has provided structural engineering services on a variety of projects including assisted living facilities, nursing homes and low-income elderly housing projects.   

Joel was the founding president of the Structural Engineers of New Hampshire and has volunteered for several non-profit organizations, including the Family Support Council of Lakes Region Community Services and the New Hampshire State Family Support Council. He also served as an alternate member of the NH DHHS Medical Care Advisory Committee.  

Joel resides in Gilford, New Hampshire with his wife Judy and two sons, Ben and Max. Ben was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Despite the odds, Ben has survived numerous medical issues and is now 35 years old. His favorite activities are adaptive skiing, swimming, going to the beach, attending the winter Special Olympics, and playing the piano. Ben is a happy and personable fellow.

Kathryn Guest, Director

Katie Guest has been a resident of Gilford NH since 1999, moving “up North” after graduating from the Virginia-Maryland Veterinary College with her doctorate in veterinary medicine. She lives with her husband, John, also a veterinarian and their four children, two dogs, two cats, a leopard gecko, and several fish tanks full of fish.  Prior to moving to New Hampshire, Katie grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelors degree in Biology. 

Practicing small animal medicine, particularly enjoying surgery, at two local veterinary practices and raising four children has occupied a majority of her adult life.  Katie thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in the schools, coaching club lacrosse and attending the public library and various community events when her kids were young. Now she enjoys watching her children play in multiple sports and time with the family at home.  

When not at work or “ubering” her kids around, Katie enjoys being outdoors, hiking with her dogs, skiing, exploring new restaurants, traveling and is always up for an adventure. Spending time with family and friends brings the most joy into her life. 

Being the mother to Ella Guest, her special needs and oldest daughter, has also brought an unanticipated wealth of enjoyment, through the kindness and support shown by the community, as well as the many challenges and concern for her future wellbeing. Being able to help create and build a safe place and bright future for adults with special needs is something that she greatly looks forward to.  

Cheryl Larose, Director

Cheryl retired from the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department after providing years of public service to the citizens of Belknap County. She also previously worked for the State of New Hampshire and for a law office.

Cheryl is a current member of the Lakes Region Community Services Family Support Council. The Family Support Council works in partnership with Lakes Region Community Services, and strives to empower families and is a voice for change and inclusion through advocacy and education. The Council also provides a forum for families to make their concerns, needs and preferences known to the Area Agency and policy makers.

Cheryl lives with her husband and their 48 year old daughter Tara, and is her primary caregiver and legal guardian. Cheryl’s husband now has a serious illness and she is also his primary caregiver. They hope that Tara can move into the Home Possible Project’s forever home.

Dorothy Piquado, Director

Journey to Awareness

Dorothy brings a unique perspective and an impassioned commitment to the cause of inclusivity and support for individuals with disabilities. Her journey towards advocacy began with a realization of the systemic challenges faced by the disability community, born from a background largely sheltered from the direct impact of these issues.

During a distinguished 37-year teaching career in international private schools, Dorothy delved into academic study surrounding laws and special education but hadn't encountered these challenges firsthand. It was only upon retirement and active involvement within the Gilford community that her awareness deepened.

As Dorothy campaigned for political candidates, engaged with the community, and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), her eyes were opened to the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Witnessing the gaps in support and the ramifications of insufficient services for foster children transitioning into adulthood ignited a fervent dedication to effecting change.

Dorothy’s five-year tenure as an elected member of the Gilford town budget committee underscored the complexities of allocating resources for the community. Dorothy recognizes the necessity of elevating the voices of those directly affected—the families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities themselves.

Dorothy’s commitment lies not just in advocacy but in active listening, learning, and amplifying the voices that have long been unheard. By championing inclusivity, Dorothy aims to bridge the gaps in support systems and ensure that the needs of the disability community are not just acknowledged but actively addressed with empathy and practical solutions.

With a fervent belief that the key to overcoming the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities lies in understanding and empowering those directly affected, Dorothy brings a compassionate perspective and an unwavering dedication to her role as a board member of The Home Possible Project.

The Home Possible Project is a Nonprofit Organization with a Mission to Create Supportive Housing Opportunities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire