Who We Are

Jeannette has held leadership roles in human services, radio, and cable television for more than 15 years. She also owned Cogent Solutions, LLC for more than 13 years focusing on organizational development. Yoga has been a strong influence in her life as she faced serious illnesses and personal challenges. “Yoga provides a space for me to seek a deeper understanding of what is being placed before me and how to live with grace.” Realizing the benefits of yoga Jeannette became passionate about YIA’s mission and joined the Board of Directors in January 2022 and was Development Chair before the current role as President. She completed her RYT 200 at Prasada Yoga Studio in North Hampton, NH.

Jill earned a bachelors degree in psychology before becoming a nurse.  She worked as a family nurse practitioner serving high risk populations in Chicago and Portsmouth, NH.  While serving as the medical director for the homeless program at Families First Health & Support Center, she looked for a better way to help treat stress-induced medical conditions.  After discovering the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at UMass Medical Center, she completed their certification course for providers.  She has taught stress reduction to many audiences over the past ten years, including 9 week courses at Families First, Cross Roads House shelter and in the Portsmouth public schools.  Jill was the Director of Patient Centered Medical Home at Families First until August 2018.  She is a 200 hr registered yoga teacher and level 2 Reiki practitioner.  Jill is thrilled to be a part of the Yoga in Action board, since yoga is so important for the health of our community. 

Lisa completed her RYT-200 hour teacher training through Seacoast Power Yoga in Exeter, NH in 2015 and has been practicing yoga since 2003. She is the Senior Director of Treasury and Cash Operations at Kronos located in Lowell, MA managing the banking for the company’s payroll services division. Lisa lives in Hampton Falls, NH with her husband, young daughter who arrived in 2016 and son arriving in November 2018. Yoga has been an important part of Lisa’s life ever since her first class receiving the
benefits of feeling grounded, balanced and mindful. As a full-time working mother, she has found finding the space for yoga in her life more important than ever! Lisa joined the Board of Yoga in Action in May 2018.

Maureen operates her own business providing CFO services for both non-profits and small businesses. She is committed to developing financial systems that increase efficiency and impact while supporting organizations to achieve strategic fiscal and programmatic goals. Prior to operating her own business, Maureen’s previous experience included 12 years as a Finance & Administrative Director at a NH state-wide nonprofit and 16 years working with 3 different organizations within the University of New Hampshire system (Sustainability Institute, Carsey School of Public Policy, and the Institute on Disability).

While at the University of New Hampshire, Maureen simultaneously operated her own yoga business, Yoga NH. She initially owned a studio in Concord, NH (Living Yoga) from 2004-2009 and from 2006-2023 she led yoga teacher training programs in NH & MA and online. Although she is officially retired from leading yoga programs, Maureen continues to mentor yoga leaders and teachers.
Maureen is excited to serve on the Board of Directors for Yoga in Action because she is passionate about the mission & vision of the organization and deeply connected to the tenets of the programs: Connection, Transform, Heal, & Thrive.

Meredith Kolodze (she/her) - Governance CommitteeMeredith Kolodze, MSW, LICSW, RYT (she/her) received her Masters in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2008. She received a post-graduate certificate in Palliative and End of Life Care at Smith College in 2018 and is a Doctor of Social Work candidate at Simmons University. Meredith is a private practice clinician located in South Berwick, ME, specializing in grief and loss, cancer, chronic illness, and anxiety. Meredith has been a medical social worker for most of her career working in primary care and oncology. Meredith is a Registered Yoga Teacher and previously taught classes to individuals with cancer and their caregivers through Yoga in Action. She joined the board of Yoga in Action in August of 2021 after years of supporting Yoga in Action as both an instructor and a community member.

Sue is the Chief of Clinical Services at Lamprey Health Care, a federally qualified health center. She is a Registered Nurse with 25 years of experience in nursing and administration, focusing primarily in community health. Sue leads teams in program development, operations, quality, and risk management, and has a particular interest in developing services for vulnerable populations. She is a RYT-200 and a dedicated practitioner of yoga. She joins Yoga in Action board to work to reduce barriers so that all can access yoga, feel a sense of community, and experience its many benefits.

Shawn Pate was introduced to yoga by husband, Andrew, to counteract the impact of running. After a few years pursuing yoga for fitness, everything changed with a terminal cancer diagnosis in the family. Shawn developed a daily morning practice to help navigate the difficult months ahead and in doing so, truly discovered yoga. The practice continued to sustain her through the grief that followed, and is an essential thread in her life. Shawn is a RYT 200 through Yoga NH, Reiki Master and has trained extensively with the Baptiste Institute. A recent newcomer to Portsmouth, Shawn is the newest board member of Yoga In Action and is in awe of their work. She was excited to experience the joy of her first Yoga Mala with this amazing community.

Tim joined Yoga In Action in July 2020 having been introduced to the organization in his community. Having lost multiple friends to the opioid epidemic, having a parent with cancer, and a general passion to bring the benefits of yoga to as many people as possible, Yoga In Action was a natural fit. Tim is the Co-Founder and COO of TIDAL New York, a New York-based flip flop manufacturing company and direct-to-consumer brand that is in the process of B Corp certification.