Meet the Board

Lissa Curtis

Executive Director

Lissa has been dancing professionally for fifteen years and has trained across New England including programs at Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Burklyn Ballet Theatre. She holds a comprehensive certification in classical Pilates from Peak Pilates. In 2013 she graduated with a double major B.S. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science and B.A. in Theatre and Dance from the University of New Hampshire. Under direction of Larry Robertson, former Boston Ballet soloist, Lissa took the leading roles in Paquita, Scenes dan un Salon, and Echoes of the Highlands with the University of NH’s Ballet Company.

She was a principal ballerina with Northeastern Ballet Theatre since 2005 taking on leading roles such as Lucy in Dracula, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Laurencia in The Pirate and the Gypsy, the Evil Queen in Snow White, and main/title roles in Sleeping Beauty, The Snow Queen, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Nutcracker. She is also an accomplished choreographer and has choreographed more than ten full length musicals for Portsmouth Christian Academy.

Through the Miss NH organization Lissa became a spokesperson for her platforms (breast cancer awareness and distracted driving), volunteer, fundraiser, and advocate for many non-profit organizations across NH which won her community service awards, recognition and support from the Governor of NH on multiple occasions; a copy of her work is in the Congressional Record. Currently, Lissa is a sought after advocate, performer, and key note speaker against sexual violence after going public with her story. Be BRAVE is not only her personal mantra, but has become a movement encouraging other survivors to speak out.

Joy Zulme

Operations Director & Vice President

Joy has lived in New England for all of her life. She has been involved in the performance arts world since she was a child, and has loved working with Safe Haven Ballet since before their opening in 2019! In addition to being the Operations Director for SHB, Joy has had her share in various career avenues involving cake decorating, catering, administration, law enforcement, and dance production. Joy lives with her husband, Lorrens, and twin daughters in the Seacoast of NH. Joy is excited to share in the future of Safe Haven Ballet!

Barb Silk

President

Barb went to college for nursing and ended up homeschooling her children for 14 years. She helped lead worship in church playing guitar for over 30 years and has always been involved in ministry. She is now a grandmother of four and has pursued her love for painting. Barb will quickly put you at ease as you explore your creative side with no experience or supplies needed. She is President of the Board for SHB, alongside an amazing Board of Directors, unified to see the hurting in our community served.

Brett McConn

Treasurer

Brett has lived in NH all his life, obtained his Master’s degree in Accounting at UNH in 2016, and is currently working as a Senior at Nathan Wechsler & Company in Concord. In his free time he enjoys playing guitar at Next Level Church in Somersworth, playing video games or Magic: The Gathering with his friends, or just going for a drive. He recently got married and is enjoying newlywed life with his wife in Nottingham, NH. Brett met Lissa while dancing ballet at UNH and has performed in various productions with her in the past.

April McGough

Secretary

April McGough has been a proud member of the Safe Haven Board since 2019. In addition to a nearly 20 year career at a large insurance company, April is an active participant in community organizations by serving as the President of Dover Little Green Cheerleading and as a leader for her two daughters’ Girl Scout troop.

Christopher Ouellette

Board Director

Christopher Ouellette has a BA in Theater Arts / Speech / Film. He has worked in group home care, youth ministry, run after school and summer programs, and taught High School. Lately, he has directed shows for the Home School Theater Guild and Portsmouth Christian Academy but most of the last decade has been spent directing for his own Chesterton Stage Productions. He has directed 15 shows since 2012 (and has written the script for half of them). He also teaches Acting, Improve, Sketch Comedy, as well as Literature, Creative Writing, Film history and Theory. He really likes doing shows that have a great message, tender moments, and monsters. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Amy, and has two lovely and creative daughters named after favorite characters from CS Lewis and Tolkien novels.

Jamie Swan

Board Director

Grace Clement

Board Director

Grace Clement grew up in southern Maine. When she was younger, she was heavily involved in athletics, including dance. She switched over to competitive all-star and school cheerleading. She relocated to the east coast of Florida for a few years to continue cheerleading. After winning multiple national titles, she shifted her focus to her studies. Upon graduating from the University of Maine Orono, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering.

During college, her first experience with ballet was watching “Swan Lake”, performed by Moscow Ballet Company, and was immediately enthralled. She was introduced to Lissa Curtis at the Northeast Ballet Theatre's performance of “The Nutcracker” and knew ballet was worth exploring. A couple years later, Lissa invited her to audition for Safe Haven’s first production of “Sleeping Beauty”. She was hesitant due to her lack of ballet training, but was welcomed with open arms, and the rest is history!

Currently, she is excited to continue her training and to help serve the Safe Haven community on and off the stage. Outside of ballet, she works in the firearm industry and is an active member of her local church. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Phillip Curtis

Friend of the Board

Phillip Curtis has been a Financial Planner since 2014. He has a Bachelor’s degree from UNH in Math Education, and a Master’s degree in Education. He lives in Somersworth NH with his wife, Lissa, and their son Westley. Phillip has served on the Board of Directors since 2019.

Don Silk

Friend of the Board

Don is the proud Father of our director, Lissa and has enjoyed privilege of watching her perform for nearly 30 years. Proud to support the mission of SHB in anyway he can. When not participating in all things SHB- he oversees the family business and spends free time boating with the kids and grandkids.