About Us

Friends of Mascoma Foundation (FOM) was formed by a group of community advocates committed to supporting the needs of the Mascoma Valley Regional School District (MVRSD). FOM provides support to the MVRSD on initiatives that foster educational development and nutritional well-being for our students and their families.

Core areas that FOM focuses on are:

Supporting students by funding supplemental educational opportunities and scholarships.
Providing instructional or professional staff with "mini grants" enabling them to offer additional educational programs to their students.
Enhancing and improving the reputation of the district by helping highlight our communities’ commitment to education.
Supporting successful existing programs to include more students.
Supporting our Friends Feeding Friends food pantries.

FOM is run by the Board of Directors and our many wonderful volunteers. FOM is registered with the State of NH and is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS.

Mission Statement

The Friends of Mascoma Foundation strives to foster educational advancements and nutritional well-being for students and their families within the Mascoma Valley Regional School District.

Our Team

Tamara Carlson

Executive Director

Tamara joined Friends of Mascoma as the Executive Director in March 2024. She has a B.S. in Paralegal Studies from the University of Hartford and a MBA from the University of Phoenix. Tamara brings an extensive executive background including the CEO of the Bristol (CT) Boys and Girls Club, COO of Taylor Energy, and Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions for Stanley Black & Decker. Tamara enjoys hiking, kayaking and spending time with her family and friends. Tamara lives in Danbury, NH with her husband, children and dogs.

Lana Evans

Pantry & Volunteer Coordinator

After actively volunteering with the Friends Feeding Friends food pantry team since 2016, Lana joined Friends of Mascoma to coordinate our pantry and volunteer operations in 2021. Lana brings with her a wealth of experience in both food and customer service and her passion for feeding children and our community.

President

Mascoma ‘02

Bridget Labrie

President

Bridget graduated from Mascoma in 2002 and attended Plymouth State University earning a B.S. in Childhood Studies. Later she returned to PSU to earn her M.B.A. and is an active member of their Upper Valley Alumni chapter. She served 3 years on the Mascoma Valley Regional School Board and coached volleyball at the Indian River School for 7 years. As the Director for Mascoma and Enfield Parks & Recreation, she helped expand recreation activities by connecting like-minded individuals in the community. Bridget is a Board Member of the Mascoma Lake Skating Association as well. Her full-time career is working in Phase I clinical cancer trials. She enjoys working in her garden in the summer and continuing restoration projects on her 1880’s home in Enfield.

Matthew Dow

Projects Facilitator & Founding Member

Matt Dow is a 37 year Canaan resident and local business owner of MTD Property Maintenance & Building Contractors. Matt graduated from MVRHS in 1990 and has three daughters, two alumni and one Senior, in the Mascoma School District. Matt joined Friends of Mascoma to help give back to the school district.

Sadie Wells

Board Member

Sadie is a long time Canaan resident and often volunteers with FOM at our Friends Feeding Friends food pantries. She has over 20 years of experience in banking and is currently the Branch Manager of Mascoma Bank in Enfield. Sadie is very active in the local community and has volunteered with the Enfield Mascoma Lioness Club and the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley. Sadie became a member of the Canaan, NH Selectboard in 2023, continuing her tradition of service to the Town of Canaan. Her experience with finance, budgeting and relationship building make a wonderful pairing with FOM.

Christopher “Chris” Grose

Secretary

Christopher was born and raised in Lebanon, graduating with the class of 2008. After most of his family moved to Canaan he decided this was the perfect area for his family to settle. Chris is a proud 3rd Generation Mason, learning the trades and everything he knows from his father. He strives to show the younger generation the trades can be a successful career. Chris resides with his two daughters who are students in the Mascoma District. Now being a Canaan resident, he looks forward to growing the community that he has come to love for the years and generations to come.

Holly West

Board Member & Founding Member

Holly West graduated from MVRHS in 2000 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Management Information Systems and Marketing at Northeastern University in Boston. After working in the technology sector for over a decade, she decided to focus her efforts on education by supporting the district that gave her the education that served as the foundation for her success. Holly and her family returned to Enfield in November of 2013 where she continues to live with her husband and children. Holly is looking forward to serving the district in the coming years.

President from inception through January 2022

Theresa Sabol

Board Member

Theresa joined Friends of Mascoma's Board of Directors in 2016 after being one of our most active food pantry volunteers. Theresa brings her many years of early childhood experience to the table as a much needed dynamic. Theresa's efficient work, upbeat attitude, and great ideas are a huge asset to our board!

Dan Kiley

Secretary & Foodie Driver Extraordaire

Dan grew up in Concord, New Hampshire and graduated from Bishop Brady High School. He received B.S. and M.B.A. Degrees from Southern New Hampshire University. He moved to Enfield in 1990 and has served on multiple town Committees. Dan currently services on the Planning Board, Budget Committee, and Capital Improvement Committee where he serves as its Chairperson. He is also the community member of the Mascoma Valley Regional School District Strategic Planning Group. Dan lives in Enfield with his wife Sharon.

Carolyn Cusick

Director Emeritus

Carolyn Cusick is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She went on to earn her Master’s in Elementary Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and completed post graduate work in Educational Technology at Chatham College in Pittsburgh.

After working as an Elementary teacher and Curriculum Coordinator for 30 years in the Woodland Hills School District of Pennsylvania, Carolyn’s dedication to public education earned her the honor of representing the State of Pennsylvania at the White House twice. Her many years of community activism was noted by Mayor Tom Flaherty at a fundraising event that Carolyn created and chaired for 16 years.

Carolyn enjoys being part of a vibrant, enthusiastic group of volunteers dedicated to enhancing our public schools in creative ways. After relocating to Enfield part-time 17 years ago and full-time 9 years ago, she immediately immersed herself in the local community and began volunteering. Carolyn and her husband, C. Robert Cusick, and their dog reside in Enfield.

Treasurer from inception through January 2022. While Carol has retired from the Board of Directors, she remains an active and valuable volunteer.