White Horse Clinical Administrator Mara Michno with her children
Mara brings over a decade of nonprofit experience to her role as Clinical Administrator at White Horse. Her background includes teaching at an alternative high school in Alaska focused on credit recovery and working at Kingswood Youth Center in Wolfeboro for over ten years, the last five as Associate Director. There, she dedicated herself to youth mental health through outdoor activities, experiential learning, and mentoring programs.
“I’ve always worked kind of outside the box,” she reflects. “Everything we did at Kingswood was prevention—providing alternatives to isolation and substance use. It was all about giving young people different paths forward.”
When Mara learned about an opening at White Horse, the decision felt natural. “I had been collaborating with White Horse for 10 years through my other nonprofit work,” she says. I really liked their mission and what they’re all about. In my world, White Horse has a really good reputation, so I was excited to see an opening.”
The transition from Alaska to the East Coast twelve years ago brought her closer to her husband’s family, but it was her personal journey that ultimately led her to White Horse. As someone in recovery herself—recently celebrating five years of sobriety from alcohol—Mara brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role.
“This is the least direct service I’ve done in a really long time, but it still feels like it’s fulfilling that within me,” she explains. “I interact with clients, see what’s going on in the peer support world, and learn about substance use disorders. I’ve always been really interested in mental health care.”
What makes her story particularly compelling is how White Horse has opened new possibilities for her career growth. “When I interviewed with Matthew [executive director], he said the possibilities are endless—you can do anything you want,” she recalls. “I’m seeing White Horse Recovery colleagues like Kelsey [Wentworth] getting her LDAC certification, and it’s really cool. Pieces are falling together in my mind about what’s possible.”
Her goal is to become a Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW), building on her master’s degree in teaching and extensive experience working with teens. “I’ve had a very strong interest in the mental health world, but the idea of completely starting over seemed impossible,” she says. “Now, I’m seeing there are different paths I could take.”
Beyond the professional growth, she finds deep meaning in working alongside others in recovery. “It’s inspiring and encouraging,” she says. “Seeing other people making strides and being successful brings to light that addiction can affect everybody, anybody, from any walk of life. It’s not being hidden or shameful. We’re humans who struggle and can help each other.”
Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. White Horse Recovery offers services for those ready to start their journey to recovery. For more information, call 603-651-1441, Ext. 1.