Meet the VVF Team
Board of Directors
Jacqueline Arlen
Owner, Project Walk Boston
Founder / BOD Chair
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Jacqueline Arlen is Victoria's mother and the owner of Project Walk Boston. Project Walk Boston is an activity based recovery center for people with any mobility related disorders and is based in Stratham, NH. This was a calling put on her heart not only for her daughter but for others who could greatly benefit from activity based therapy. Early on in their journey the Arlen family saw an incredible need for support for individuals within this population not only physically but emotionally. They have planned and spoken about starting a foundation in Victoria's name for years. This is truly a dream come true and an answer to prayer.
Victoria Arlen
TV Personality & Author
Co-Founder / Co-Chair
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Victoria Arlen, created this foundation to help others achieve their own personal victories. While Victoria was living in a physical vegetative state, her mind was very much alive; at that time she made a commitment that if she got her second chance, she would dedicate her life to helping others. As a young woman that trained and worked endless hours to overcome her obstacles with the support of her family and those close to her, she realized the importance of a strong foundation of support and being surrounded by those that believe in you. Victoria is a published author, 2012 Paralympic Gold and silver medal swimmer, ESPN host, American Ninja Warrior JR host, and Season 25 Dancing With The Stars contestant.
Victoria has started the Victoria's Victory Foundation as a way to provide others with their own support system so they too can achieve their victory.
Mandy Long
CFO of Vista Retail Solutions
Vice President of BOD
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Mandy Long is the CFO of Vista Retail Solutions, a small business serving the grocery and specialty retail markets. Throughout her career, she has served in general and financial management positions across the manufacturing and event services industries. Personally and professionally, she delights in finding ways to make an impact on the local community. Mandy has served on the Board for the Greater Seacoast United Way, the Strafford County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Dover Rotary Club and is a current Board Member of the Exeter High School Track & Field Boosters. Professionally, she has worked with food banks across the country to raise money to support school aged children who are struggling with food insecurity. She is excited to bring her experience to Victoria’s Victory Foundation and to learn from this inspiring group of people.
Mandy currently lives in Kensington, NH with her husband Bob, son Davis, a sweet old rescue dog and rascally cat.
Joanna Bramer
Business Finance Specialist, OnPoint Tax & Consulting
Treasurer
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Joanna Bramer is the CEO and Principal Consultant of Lighthouse Advisory, LLC, which she founded to fill a desire to help small businesses thrive. She has over fifteen years of expertise in financial statement accounting and audit experience, management consulting, and project management. Joanna graduated from the Robert B. Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech where she attained a B.S. in Business with a major in Accounting and a minor in Global Business. Spending the years prior to the creation of Lighthouse Advisory as part of a Big 4 Accounting Firm, she is excited to bring this big firm experience to both her clients and Victoria’s Victory Foundation.
Joanna relocated from the Washington, D.C. metro area to the Seacoast, where she now lives with her husband Dan, son Declan, and running partner Murphy. Since relocating, she has become an active community member, serving on the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce Board as their Treasurer and partnering with GoodWork Seacoast as one of their nonprofit incubator professional partners.
Nancy Splaine
Consultant
Secretary
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Nancy Splaine has recently retired from a rewarding career. She held various roles in sales, sales and marketing, and leadership for over forty years.
In 2004, Nancy co-founded an Events Company, creating a unique, invitation-only platform to connect senior-level executives to do business in a first-class, curated agenda. This innovative approach continues to successfully facilitate meaningful connections and business opportunities. The business thrived and was sold in 2016. Nancy continued to contribute to the company's growth until her retirement in 2022.
Today, Nancy leverages her extensive experience through her consulting business and serves on the Board of a national décor and fixture company that caters to the retail industry.
Nancy is deeply honored to be a part of the Victoria’s Victory Foundation’s Board. She is inspired to help carry out the mission of this remarkable group, which aims to enhance the lives of individuals with mobility challenges and disabilities. Her dedication to this cause reflects her compassionate nature and desire to change people’s lives.
Nancy and her husband Arthur live in Rye, New Hampshire. They have two wonderful daughters, a terrific son-in-law, and a lovely golden retriever, their cherished grand dog.
Karrie Eaton
Vice President of Marketing for Granite United Way
Director
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Karrie Eaton has more than 20 years of experience in the marketing and creative field, specializing in the nonprofit sector. Like her fellow Victoria's Victory Foundation Board Members, she is inspired by Victoria Arlen’s journey and is passionate about helping others. She is always ready to embrace a challenge, and in her role as Vice President of Marketing for Granite United Way, she recognizes the importance of working together to improve lives in our community. Karrie resides in Kingston with her husband, Chris, their two daughters, Jenna and Kate, and their golden retriever, Cheddar.
Scott Saumsiegle
Health Liaison, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Director / Endowment Committee Chair
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Scott Saumsiegle, from Massachusetts currently working for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. located in San Diego as a Health Systems Liaison Lead. Scott works with Health Systems, Hospitals and Advocacy across the United States to help with better disease outcomes, patient experience, physician experiences and lower costs within Health Systems and Hospitals. His work is focused in the Parkinson’s Community, Dementia Care and the Advocacy Associations involved with these disease states.
Scott is also living the life of recovery with a Spinal Cord Injury. On March 28 of 2020 Scott had an accident from a fall resulting in a T-12 Burst Fracture which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Since June of 2020 Scott has been working extensively at Project Walk Boston to build back his strength and gain control of his legs again. Scott has completed many milestones including regaining the use of his legs and transitioning out of his wheelchair, progressing to a walker, to arm crutches and finally to walking with the use of an AFO leg/foot brace. Scott is excited to get involved and thrilled to be a part of the Victoria’s Victory Foundation. His passion to motivate and help build confidence for newly injured clients is one area he is looking forward to helping.
Andrew Share
Partner/Manchester Office Nixon Peabody LLP
Legal Counsel
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Andrew Share is the managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Manchester, New Hampshire, office. Andrew has extensive technology transactions experience, counseling companies with respect to a wide range of intellectual property and technology–related matters, including software, content and data licensing, SaaS, software development and implementation, reseller arrangements, business process outsourcing, data privacy, and IT security concerns.
Additionally, Andrew regularly counsels clients in the commercialization and leveraging of their intellectual property assets, and is experienced in drafting and negotiating related agreements involving the creation, acquisition, or sale of rights to intellectual property.
Drew Smith
Owner, Elite Printing Group
Director
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Drew Smith has owned and operated Elite Printing Group, LLC for over 18 years. His focus is on building strong and rewarding relationships with experience in producing and maintaining nationwide accounts.
Drew was a healthy 40 year old when a virus set off an auto-immune response in the middle of the night that left him paralyzed and in a wheel chair. He became a client of Project Walk Boston and within one year had moved from a wheelchair, to a walker, to crutches, and then walking. It was through this experience that he was introduced to Victoria’s Victory Foundation and some of the amazing people involved. Through his years of rehabilitation he gained a desire to help others that are faced with a sudden health issue, injury, or accident. He knows first-hand how an experience like this can be physically, mentally, and financially challenging.
Drew currently resides in Stratham, NH with his wife Kristy, son Brady, and dog Oreo. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and has a passion for ice hockey, and hopes to be able to skate again.
Tracy Sweet
Chief Communications Officer, Phillips Andover Academy
Director
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Tracy Sweet is Chief Communications Officer at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. A strategist, industry thought leader, and former journalist, Tracy’s experience spans higher education, private schools, and non-profits. She oversees Andover’s strategic messaging, branding, and marketing. She is also chief spokesperson and lead advisor on crisis matters. In addition to CCO, she served as Interim Chief of Staff from 2020-2021, helping to guide Andover’s leadership transition.
Prior to Andover, Tracy was Assistant Vice President for Public Relations at Saint Anselm College and an editor in Media Relations at the University of New Hampshire. She began her profession career reporting for local and national news publications.
Tracy serves her community as a board member of The Grappone Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College, and as an advocate for young athletes on the advisory board of Strong Girls United Foundation.
Tracy is inspired by VVF’s mission to empower and uplift individuals by surrounding them with a network of support when they need it most. She enjoys being part of a team with a shared goal to make a meaningful impact for others. It’s what has inspired her career, her athletic pursuits, and her community volunteer work.
Tracy lives in Kensington, NH, with her husband Dan, their daughter Paige, and their “Rock n’ Rescue” cat Salem.
Greg Thomas
Senior Analyst at Hartford Investment Management Company
Director
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Greg Thomas has worked in the financial services industry across multiple roles since 2016. He received a BS in finance with a minor in accounting from Quinnipiac University.
At 11 years old, Greg was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition that left him without movement and sensation from the neck down. Over years of intensive rehabilitation, Greg made major strides in his recovery and now walks with crutches.
Greg is active in the non-profit space and has a passion for giving back and helping others.
In his free time, Greg enjoys watching sports and traveling. He currently works and resides in Connecticut with his fiancé.
Staff
Susan Stover
Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director
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Susan, set aside her consulting business, Stover Solutions to lead VVF from its inception. As the founder of Stover Solutions, Susan had specialized in non-profit fundraising and event management, helped multiple non-profits develop new programs, expand their marketing presence, and increase their fundraising efforts.
Prior to starting her own company, Susan was an accomplished sales, marketing and event professional with expertise in advanced digital advertising for Comcast. Susan has an extensive marketing and promotions background working with national brands, television and film talent, professional athletes, and large corporations.
When Susan is not behind her computer, you can find her teaching barre classes; she is a Barre Intensity and IBBFA certified barre instructor with a classical ballet background. Susan is the wife of a local business owner and mother of two boys and a great dane.
Susan was a founding board member for Connor's Climb Foundation, volunteers for End 68 Hours of Hunger and is honored to be the foundation's CEO/Executive Director to bring the mission to life.
Lindsay Dobecki
Director of Programming & Operations
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Lindsay first got involved in nonprofit work during her time as an undergraduate student at Merrimack College. She went on to earn her Master of Education in Community Engagement while simultaneously working for a variety of youth focused nonprofits. Throughout her career, Lindsay has grown passionate about the behind-the-scenes efforts that help nonprofit programs thrive. She enjoys supporting the systems and day-to-day work that make it possible for programs to create meaningful impact for individuals and families.
Originally from Southern Maine, Lindsay now lives in Dover, New Hampshire with her husband, their daughter and their dog. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring New England, being outdoors, and coaching field hockey at St. Thomas Aquinas. Lindsay is honored to be part of the VVF staff and grateful for the opportunity to help make a positive impact.
Allison Battles
Development Manager
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Allison has nearly 20 years of Advancement experience in every spoke of the wheel – data and gift management, fundraising, donor relations, and engagement – developed during lengthy tenures at both Phillips Exeter Academy and UNH. In 2017, she completed her MBA in Marketing via SNHU Online, all while volunteering as president of Exeter Elementary PTO and raising two young boys. Recently, she honed her project management skills at the IAPP and is excited to bring all her passion, skills, and experience to VVF to further the mission and vision of the foundation.
She lives in Exeter with her husband and two sons, enjoys time at the lake or beach, doing puzzles and catching up with friends, and spends an inordinate amount of time at baseball games – but wouldn’t have it any other way. Allison continues to volunteer for her sons’ schools and activities, filling roles on both the Exeter Baseball Boosters and Exeter Golf Boosters boards.
Michelle Maslanka
Resource Navigator
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Michelle has 20+ years of experience in administration and customer service. Her journey into the medical and wellness realm started in 2013 when she worked as a chiropractic assistant and medical billing specialist for a small chiropractic office. In 2014, Michelle sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury that left her tetraplegic. While working tirelessly toward recovery, Michelle reignited her passion for health and fitness. Through her own experience and work with a non-profit, whose focus was on increasing quality of life and promoting wellness in individuals living with physical disability, Michelle has gained a greater understanding and appreciation of a variety of mobility challenges and a desire to help those with disabilities. Michelle has most recently put her medical billing knowledge to work helping clients navigate the complex Medicare system to bring about enhanced outcomes and quality of life for those living with mobility disabilities. When not working on her physical recovery, you can find Michelle participating in a variety of adaptive sports including golf, kayaking, archery, and skiing. She looks forward to being part of the VVF team and helping others rise above their challenges.
Anneliese Williams
Resource Navigator
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Anneliese comes to VVF with a background in public health and medical research. In 2022, Anneliese was diagnosed with a rare form of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune condition hallmarked by rapid, ascending paralysis. While her diagnosis left her a quadriplegic, she refused to let it define her path forward.
She graduated with her Master of Public Health from Purdue University, became the first wheelchair user in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s internship program where she conducted research to improve childhood cancer care globally, and led the Indiana Rare Coalition to enact legislative protections for rare disease patients in Indiana. Understanding the value of mentorship, Anneliese has also given back through volunteer roles teaching wheelchair skills to children with disabilities, providing accompaniment to hospitalized children, and supporting families of patients on hospice.
In her free time, Anneliese competes in adaptive CrossFit and rugby and enjoys spending time outdoors- whether that be by mountain biking, skiing, skydiving, surfing, or hiking, she loves it all!
Anneliese is excited to be part of the VVF team to help others as they work to achieve their own victories!