Meet our team:

Larissa Hannan Rhea - Community Development Manager

Contact: lhannan@healthylincolncounty.org

Larissa Rhea is Lincoln County's Community Development Manager. Larissa joined the HLC team in early 2021 working on substance use prevention strategies and harm reduction work. She then moved into the SNAP Educator and gleaning role, where she prioritized food accessibility and education.

Larissa graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor's of Science in Community Health Education in 2017. Since that time, Larissa has received her Masters in Public Health through the University of Southern Maine. Larissa is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Prior to joining the HLC team, Larissa worked on chronic disease management and evident-based diabetes education.

A Newcastle resident, Larissa spends her free time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs Piper and Sage hiking throughout Maine!

Katie MacDonald - Operations Manager

Contact: kmacdonald@healthylincolncounty.org

Katie MacDonald is Healthy Lincoln County's Operations Manager. Katie holds her Bachelor's in Women and Gender Studies from Wheaton College, and her Master's in Public Health from the University of Southern Maine. Prior to joining the HLC team, Katie worked as a Prevention Coordinator at the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault and spent the last five years coordinating a youth suicide prevention federal grant at Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Katie is passionate about primary prevention, youth development, and working to make Maine a safer and healthy place to live.

Katie lives in Hallowell with her two dogs. She loves being outside and exploring, learning new skills, and has recently become hooked on cross stitching.

Will Matteson - Substance Use Prevention Coordinator

Contact: wmatteson@healthylincolncounty.org

Will Matteson is Healthy Lincoln County's Substance Use Prevention Coordinator. Will grew up in Massachusetts but got to Maine as quickly as he could. After studying English at Kenyon College, Will moved to Bar Harbor and began working as a manager for the Acadia Corporation, which operated several concessions in and around Acadia National Park. This work was interesting and rewarding, but Will often thought of finding work that more had a more direct positive impact on his community. During his career in hospitality, Will saw the damage that substance use disorders can cause to both individuals and communities. When the opportunity came to do community health work in Lincoln County, he took it.

Will lives in Thomaston with his wife Mary and their dog Sophie. He loves writing, reading, and learning as much as he can about the world he lives in. When he's not at work or home, Will is likely to be hiking or camping somewhere in Maine's glorious wilderness.

Samantha Mehlhorn - SNAP Educator

Contact: smehlhorn@healthylincolncounty.org

Samantha Mehlhorn is the SNAP Educator for Lincoln County. She is brand new to the HLC team as of August of 2023 but has been a resident of Lincoln County for over 35 years. Samantha briefly left the area to attend Quinnipiac University in Connecticut receiving degrees in Political Science and History as well as her master's in education. She returned to the area to begin teaching in local schools, working with the CLC Adult Education program, and with Mobius Inc. For the past eleven years, Samantha was the head of the middle school at Damariscotta Montessori School in Nobleboro. As a part of this unique program, she taught the full range of the 7th-8th grade curriculum and guided the students in the management of an on-campus farm and CSA program. When at home, Samantha loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen. When many might avoid the weekly task of menu planning and grocery shopping, she looks forward to it and enjoys any excuse to cook for friends and family. The opportunity to work with Healthy Lincoln County and SNAP truly combines the best of these passions. The SNAP programs aim to educate and support students and families to Shop, Cook, and Eat healthy. Samantha looks forward to bringing her love of educating from the classroom to the much wider Lincoln County community through SNAP.

Samantha excitedly bought her first house in Newcastle in 2018 which she shares with her adorable dog, Maddie. Being a new homeowner has provided an endless supply on home projects and she loves tackling a DIY remodel. On a nice day, you will find her out in one of her many gardens tending the flowers and herbs.

Leifa Gordon - Food Systems Coordinator

Contact: lgordon@healthylincolncounty.org

Leifa Gordon is the Food Systems Coordinator with Healthy Lincoln County. She joined in January of 2024. Leifa is originally from Farmington, ME, though spent much of her childhood visiting her grandparents in Round Pond. Leifa has lived in various places, mostly residing in Portland and living periodically in Lincoln County. While in Portland, she completed her BSW at USM, and later completed her MSW at UNE. Leifa has spent time working with Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging as a social worker in their day center, and most recently was a program manager with a workforce program specifically geared towards SNAP recipients around the state. Leifa is excited to shift into this new role and work within the community to increase connection between local foods and SNAP benefits.

Leifa now lives in Round Pond with her sweet dog, Luna. In her spare time, she can be found in the woods or by the ocean, relaxing with a craft or book, or hanging with her friends and family.