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Meet the Board

Lissa Curtis

Executive Director

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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

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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 loves working with with Safe Haven Ballet! Joy is currently a cake decorator, but has had her share in various career avenues involving catering, administration, law enforcement, and dance production. Joy lives with her husband, Lorrens, in the Seacoast of NH. Joy is excited to share in the future of Safe Haven Ballet as the Operations Director!

Barb Silk

President

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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

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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

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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.

Karen Coppinger

Board Director

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Karen Coppinger

Board Director

Karen and her husband have lived in the seacoast area of New Hampshire for over 30 years. Karen is a Learning Disabilities Specialist at Portsmouth Christian Academy in Dover. She also helps her husband run his plumbing and heating business. When not working, Karen can be found spending time with her husband and family. Karen is thrilled to be able to serve on the board of directors and support SHB in every way possible.

Phillip Curtis

Friend of the Board

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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.

Deb Napier

Board Director

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Deb Napier

Board Director

Deb has served the community as a Medical Technologist for over 35 years and by supporting women through various ministries in her church. It’s with a passion for restoring and healing victims of trauma and abuse that makes her beyond excited to work alongside Lissa and support SHB in any way. Now retired, this native New Englander and grandmother of five, enjoys the great outdoors of NH with family and friends. Winters you can find Deb quilting, trying out a new skill, or watching football.

Kimberly Neely

Board Director

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Kimberly Neely

Board Director

Kimberly has worked in the financial sector on the seacoast for 30 years and is currently a Financial Operations Principal for FINOP Services in Stratham, NH. She is also the owner/president of The Handyman Inc., a local home restoration and maintenance company in Newburyport, MA. She’s been active in the Portsmouth ballet community since 1993 (Ballet New England, Portsmouth School of Ballet, and Ballet Theater Workshop) and previously served on the board of Ballet Theatre Workshop. She believes ballet is for everybody and remains a dedicated student. Kimberly lives in Newburyport with her husband and college-age daughter. She is honored to serve SHB and excited be involved in our mission.

Christopher Ouellette

Board Director

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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.

Don Silk

Friend of the Board

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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.

Events & Happenings

$100,000+

raised for assault survivors since 2016!