Our Team
Andy Lowe
Executive Director
Email: andy@newenglandrha.org
Phone: 802.324.9282
Andy Lowe comes to the New England Rural Health Association with five years’ experience as a member of the NERHA Board of Directors, of which he is a Past President. Before joining NERHA, Andy served as Chief Strategy Officer at Outer Cape Health Services, a community health center serving the rural Outer Cape Cod region. While there, Andy also served as Director of the Cape & Islands Area Health Education Center. Previous work includes positions at the University of Vermont, where he worked on community-based research programs for rural veterans, and the State of Vermont, where he served as Associate CIO in the Agency of Human Services. Andy holds a faculty appointment at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Andy and his wife Jayne, who met as undergraduates at Norwich University, live in rural Vermont. As a lifelong resident of rural New England who has lived in Vermont, Connecticut, and Cape Cod, Andy enjoys fishing, primitive arms hunting, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, gardening, boating, swimming, maple sugaring, cross country skiing, and anything else outdoors. A lifelong competitive endurance athlete, Andy has trained and raced as a runner, cross country skier, triathlete, and rower.
Ann Marie Day
Chief Operating Officer
Email: amday@newenglandrha.org
Phone: 207.228.5966
Ann Marie Day is the Chief Operating Officer of the New England Rural Health Association overseeing all operations. Ann Marie has been with NERHA since 2020 and is thrilled to see the growth of the Association. She supports all aspects of the organization including financial, staff, and programmatic development. Ann Marie holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and a BA in Psychology, both from Rivier University. Prior to her work with NERHA, Ann Marie worked across the New England region previously serving as the Program Administrator of Care Transitions & Medication Safety for the Medicare Contracted Quality Improvement Organization. Ann Marie spent over eight years at a Federally Qualified Health Center in rural Western Maine, managing population health, quality improvement, and social services programs. Ann Marie lives in rural Maine in the Sebago Lake region and enjoys hitting the trails with her two dogs or on horseback.
Jennifer McCarthy, EdD, LCPC, CPHQ
Grants & Finance Manager
Email: jenn@newenglandrha.org
Phone: 978.809.9947
Jenn is the Grants and Finance Manager with the New England Rural Health Association managing the financial and administrative aspects of our growing portfolio of grants and contracts.
Jenn holds a Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education from A.T. Still University, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Salem State College, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boston University School of Education. Jenn has been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) since 2000. She recently earned the CPHQ, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
Before her work with NERHA, Jenn worked as a Clinical Educator and Operations Manager at a national behavioral health organization. Locally in Maine, she worked at Tri-County Mental Health Services, Healthcentric Advisors, Maine Quality Counts, and Sacopee Valley Health Center (FQHC) as an integrated behavioral health consultant, specializing in chronic disease management and quality improvement. Jenn lives in rural Maine with her husband and a very spoiled rescue dog. They enjoy spending time at the beach.
Kiera Hight
Marketing & Visual Communications Manager
Email: kiera@newenglandrha.org
Phone: 434.401.5327
Kiera has been with the New England Rural Health Association since 2019 and currently serves as the Marketing & Visual Communications Manager. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to amplifying the voices of rural communities, she blends strategic marketing with creative execution to elevate the association’s initiatives. Her expertise spans branding, magazine publishing, social media, event coordination, and sponsorship development, ensuring impactful engagement and growth.
Growing up in rural Virginia, Kiera developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural communities—a perspective that continues to shape her work. As an award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and visual communications professional, she brings a dynamic approach to marketing and outreach. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Cinematic Arts and Cultural Anthropology, she leverages her background in editorial, documentary, and commercial storytelling to foster connections, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.
Ezekiel Baskin
Rural Health Program Manager
Email: ebaskin@newenglandrha.org
Phone: 413.896.1305
Ezekiel Baskin is delighted to be a part of the NERHA team! They are a public health educator and administrator based in rural Western MA. Prior to joining NERHA, Ezekiel worked with Partners in Health on the Massachusetts COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative project, where they designed and implemented trainings for a range of internal and external audiences, advocated for equity, supported staff colleagues, and conducted call monitoring sessions for training and quality assurance. Ezekiel is also active as a theatre director and producer, with a focus on supporting new play development. Outside of work, Ezekiel raises chickens and enjoys playing board and card games.
Nylab Noori
Environmental Health Associate Program Manager
Email: nnoori@newenglandrha.org
Nylab Noori is the Environmental Health Associate Program Manager at the New England Rural Health Association, where she leads initiatives to address the unique environmental health challenges in rural communities. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health with a focus on Clinical Sciences and a Minor in Psychology.
Before joining NERHA, Nylab gained diverse healthcare experience, working directly with patients and alongside Maine’s immigrant community. Her compassionate approach, informed by both patient care and global health perspectives, drives her commitment to advancing NERHA’s mission. Nylab enjoys exploring diverse international cuisines and spending time outdoors on adventures with her husband.
Steven Guy
Executive & Program Coordinator
Email: sguy@newenglandrha.org
Steven is the Executive and Program Coordinator with the New England Rural Health Association. He is responsible for memberships, scheduling, data management, and all forms of internal and external communications.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of New England. Prior to his work with NERHA, Steven worked in retail management as an Evening Manager with Shaw’s. Before this, he held positions in different industries, such as insurance sales and underwriting, food service, and support-based nonprofit in a direct service capacity.
Steven lives in Hollis, Maine with his fiancé, Emily, their tuxedo cat, Tom, and their golden retriever, Honey. He enjoys chopping wood, playing video games, and fishing in his free time.
Consultants
Kiara Badillo
New England Rural Health Association Consultant
Email: kiara@newenglandrha.org
Kiara Badillo is an Independent Consultant specializing in Project Management, Education, Equity & Access, and Public Health. Her background includes roles in higher education as a Dual Enrollment & Special Programs Coordinator and Assistant Director of Admissions, where she focused on designing programs to support students from underserved and /or underrepresented communities in their transition to continuing education.
Currently, Kiara is contracted with the New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) to work on grant-funded projects addressing health disparities in rural areas. She is particularly proud of her involvement with the MA Rural Workforce Training Network, funded by The Health Resources & Service Administration. This project involves a collaborative network across Massachusetts, providing training, education, and scholarships to new and existing Community Health Workers.
As a proud rural New Englander, Kiara’s passion for her work with NERHA extends beyond her professional achievements. She is actively involved in her community as a mother, dancer, and community organizer. She is excited to continue making rural communities healthier and happier through her work with NERHA and beyond.
Aisling Ryan-Abbott, DNP, FNP-C
New England Rural Health Association Consultant
Email: aislingrabbott@newenglandrha.org
Aisling is a Clinical Education and Workforce Consultant for the New England Rural Health Association and a Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing with her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2022. Her research and quality improvement interests focus on strategies to better assess social determinants of health within rural communities. Aisling was a part of the grant development and planning for the HRSA-funded Massachusetts Rural Workforce Training Network, which aims to strengthen and expand the community health workforce among underserved populations of rural Massachusetts.
She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in an urgent care setting with experience in rural primary care, community health, and cardiac medical-surgical nursing.
Erin M. Lenski
Outreach Coordinator
Email: erin@newenglandrha.org
Erin is honored to be a part of the amazing work of NERHA! As the Community Outreach Coordinator on the Rural Public Health Worker’s project, Erin has the great fortune to support our partners living or working in rural communities who are committed to achieving health equity through education and advocacy.
In addition to Rural Public Health Outreach efforts, Erin serves the greater Western Massachusetts region as an ESOL educator, a health coach and adjunct professor, and a substance use recovery counselor.
Erin holds advanced degrees in Nutrition & Wellness, ESL education and leadership, and the Spanish language.
Brennan Ward
New England Rural Health Association Consultant
Email: bward@newenglandrha.org
Brennan Ward is an experienced public/government affairs and non-profit strategist specializing in stakeholder engagement, government relations, and advocacy campaigns. With a background spanning Fortune 100 companies, trade associations, and grassroots initiatives, he brings extensive expertise in coalition building, legislative outreach, and strategic media planning.
Brennan has led award-winning advocacy efforts, developed stakeholder recruitment campaigns, and guided legislative initiatives across multiple sectors. His work has earned him recognition as a "40 Under Forty" honoree by NH's Union Leader in 2022 for his professional and community impact.
Brennan grew up in Littleton, NH, a prominent rural community located in the North Country of New Hampshire. He currently serves on the Cannon Mountain Advisory Commission for the State of New Hampshire and is a board member of the Lupus Foundation New England. He holds an MPS from George Washington University and a BA from the University of New Hampshire.
Ashley N. Mills, MHA
Rural Grants TA/CB Program Consultant
Email: amills@newenglandrha.org
Ashley Mills brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit management to the New England Rural Health Association's TA/CB Program, specializing in rural healthcare development and grant implementation. Her expertise spans the entire grant lifecycle—applying, receiving, reviewing, and conducting federal site visits—giving her a comprehensive understanding of successful grant management. She has led multi-year federal grant initiatives supporting rural healthcare organizations in key areas such as behavioral health integration, care coordination, and social determinants of health, helping them build sustainable, community-driven programs.
Ashley's deep commitment to rural health stems from her early career as a Behavioral Health Professional and Case Manager in Maine’s rural communities, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges of healthcare access. Her background, combined with a Master’s in Health Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Maine, informs her practical, results-driven approach. As a federal grant reviewer, she offers unique insights into crafting compelling applications while ensuring proposals are both impactful and feasible. Her continued work with community health centers and organizations nationwide positions her as a valuable resource for strengthening rural healthcare services.
@ Annual NERHA Fall Conference