Our Team
Tracy Bailey, Darrell Fraize, and Margie Lannon co-founded Onward Transitions in 2015. We are proud to be a woman-owned, independently operated program.
2024 Summer Team Celebration and Cruise on mid-coast Maine
Darrell has been practicing mental health counseling since 1998. Until Onward, Darrell’s focus was primarily in residential and wilderness treatment environments. Onward is partly an extension of the private practice he established in 2013, where he helped adolescents and emerging adults transition out of treatment programs and into conventional school and work settings. Darrell has also worked in public and private schools, community recreation, and summer camps and has taught at undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in transformative leadership.
Darrell and Tracy are married, and they have four adult children and one granddaughter. Darrell is a passionate fan of Boston sports teams, a lively participant in traditional Irish music, a ComicCon enthusiast, and a proud nerd with a high midi-chlorian count.
Tracy has over 35 years of experience in administrative roles, working with teenagers and young adults in residential, boarding, and transitional living environments. Her work experience includes positions such as residential life director, international admissions representative, marketing director, and school-to-college liaison. Before founding Onward, Tracy launched a career exploration program for high school students and operated a small business.
Tracy is a certified parent and career coach. She is the main point of contact for emerging adults and their families who are interested in exploring Onward. In addition to her work, Tracy is a gardener, birder, food enthusiast, and an avid reader.
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Margie is a successful entrepreneur who owns and manages multiple Homewatch Caregivers franchises in Tucson, Arizona. She is actively involved in various civic, philanthropic, volunteer, and social organizations and currently serves as the President of her Rotary Club. Margie's business acumen has been a source of inspiration for many, and her initiative led to the creation of Onward Transitions. Margie holds numerous leadership positions and has received several awards and accolades. She also has a vast network of friends across the globe. Margie loves to travel and engage in physical activities like hiking, biking, rollerblading, or sailing when she's not working or socializing. We can’t begin to list her “chairperson” titles or her many accolades, never mind her friends worldwide. When not working or socializing, Margie travels and finds ways to challenge herself physically- hiking, riding, blading, or sailing.
Margaret Lannon
(she/her)
Co-Founder/CFO
Caitlin has dedicated over a decade to the mental health field, working with young people and families in different communities nationwide. In 2008, she obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Caitlin brings experience in direct care and in-home work with clients and families, aftercare program development and implementation, roles in data collection, admissions, and marketing, as well as planning and coordination of various milieu activities. With an eye for detail and her love of creating a fun, warm, and welcoming program environment for members and staff, Caitlin enjoys developing genuine connections that evolve into meaningful, lasting relationships with our members and their families.
Tosh was born and raised in Maine and spent their emerging adulthood in Richmond, VA, where they graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with their BFA in Painting & Printmaking. He then obtained a Master's in Visual Arts Therapy from Lesley University in May 2022. Over the past years, he has sought to connect with others by teaching after-school screenprinting programs, leading support groups for queer youth to find and explore their identity, working a community hotline, and providing in-home care to folks who need it. Storytelling and narrative art therapy are two of their favorite ways to support emerging adults in discovering, understanding, and owning their past and present narratives while writing their future stories. He is passionate about working with members to strengthen their sense of self and skills to move toward a more autonomous life.
Megan was born and raised in South Portland, Maine, and began her career in public education before transitioning into mental health and Social Work. Her teaching experience working with youth and families ranges from Kindergarten to college and everything in between. Megan has experience with general and special education, accommodations/accessibility, case management, school social work, and individual and group outpatient therapy. A passion for promoting accessibility and independence in young adults brought her to OT. Megan values safety and trust and is dedicated to building healthy and supportive relationships with members and their families.
Megan Kemna M.Ed, LCSW
(she/her)
Therapist
megan@onwardtransitions.com
Ryan is an award-winning chef, team builder, and well-being coach. With more than two decades as a wellness consultant, he brings his expertise in nutrition and community building as a coach and mentor to our members. Ryan empowers our members through his principles of what to eat, how to cook, and who’s at the table, which are the essential pillars of well-being. His career began as a private chef, caterer, and nutrition-focused cooking school proprietor in Chicago. He spent over a decade designing and facilitating corporate wellness programs for healthcare companies. His accomplishments include winning a nationally televised cooking competition and serving as a consulting chef and spokesperson for the world’s most prominent weight loss company. Ryan presents frequently on food and human connection, speaking on stages that include TEDx and the TODAY Show. Along with his work at Onward Transitions, Ryan founded The Well Beyond Food Project, a team-building company that produces innovative dinners focused on storytelling and facilitated conversations, empowering guests with a renewed sense of belonging and inspiration (and full bellies)—an experience he brings to our members during each family-style meal at our Pine House.
Ryan Hutmacher
(he/his)
Director of Well-Being
Ryan@onwardtransitions.com
Kristen Chandler
(she, her)
Human Resources
kristen@onwardtransitions.com
Kristen was raised in Maine and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Community Studies from the University of Maine at Machias. She has spent almost 20 years working in the mental health field and is now expanding her expertise to include Human Resource Management. Recently, she completed a certificate program at the University of Southern Maine. Kristen prioritizes personal growth and helping others achieve their goals. During her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake, going on impromptu adventures, and hanging out with her loved ones.
Katie graduated from Boston University with a master’s degree in social work. Originally from Southern Tier New York, she transplanted to Maine in Fall 2020. Before deciding to pursue a career in social work, Katie received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Over the last several years, Katie has gained experience in social services, community building, case management, and working in a therapeutic setting with individuals and families. Katie believes that building strong therapeutic relationships is the foundation of supportive change. Self-identified as a foodie and outdoor adventure seeker, when not studying, you can find her at a new foodie spot in Portland or exploring the great Pine Tree State.
Katie Valicenti
(she/her)
Clinical Assistant and
Community Outreach Coordinator