Cari is a Community Leader, speaks from lived experience, and has a passion for giving people the tools they need to build a stronger and more supportive community.

Cari spent her entire 35-year career working in community development, leadership, and non-profit organizations. She was exposed to Mental Health First Aid when she took the class in 2018, and after years of supporting a family member, realized that there were many strategies, resources, and tools out there that would be so helpful.

In 2023, Cari became Certified to teach Mental Health First Aid for Adults, and then she became Certified to teach the Older Adults curriculum in 2024, and the Youth curriculum in 2025. She has taught over 25 classes and her calendar for 2025 is filling up. People want to learn how to help, be effective, and understand the struggle that is happening to someone they care about. Cari uses her lived experience, when appropriate, to drive home the power of being trained and prepared to effectively support those we love.

She graduated from Champlain College with a B.A. in Business and a Certificate in Organizational Development. She believes in continuing education and has participated in many trainings to help impact her work.

Cari lives in Grand Isle, Vermont, with her long-time partner, Greg, and also owns a Travel Agency (CariMeAwayTravels.com) where she helps clients travel all around the world. She specializes in accessible travel and mental health respite travel. She loves to travel with Greg, play her guitar, sing, knit, spend time with family, and take walks with her 12-year-old black lab, Tank.