Coaching Team

Lisa Totten
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

Lisa has over ten years of experience working in the mental health and residential field with both adults and adolescents. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and is a passionate advocate for dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Lisa enjoys working with young adults and providing them with guidance and support to achieve their individual goals and passions. She is a Wyoming native and continues to volunteer virtually with a Wyoming based organization, Uplift, where she meets with clients and their families to provide emotional support. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and exploring New England.

Megan McCue
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

Megan comes to Cornerstones with vast knowledge and experience in alternative education and mental health. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of New England and has a longstanding love of learning. Megan is passionate about inspiring others to love learning, whether that is in the classroom or in a vocational setting. Megan spent the last several years working as an advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence, but had always had her eye on getting back into the realm of education and supporting youth and young adults. Megan worked as an AmeriCorps with some of Maine’s most at-risk youth and was recognized by the state as being the most outstanding national service member in the state of Maine in 2017 for her work. Megan takes a comprehensive and creative approach to supporting students to achieve the goals they set for themselves.  She enjoys helping individuals recognize that success comes in many forms. In her spare time, Megan is an avid equestrian and enjoys spending time at the barn and adventuring with her dog, Rocco. 

Dillon McDonald
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

Dillon graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in French. Dillon also played on the men’s varsity tennis team at SUNY. He has a background working with youth in foster care at a trauma-informed agency in New York. During his time at this agency, he moved into a Safety and Wellness Specialist position. In his free time, Dillon enjoys drawing, playing video games, going to concerts, and trying new food at new restaurants.

Darren VanDzura
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

Darren was born and raised in Vermont before moving to South Portland, Maine after completing college in 2020. He graduated from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. Darren comes to Cornerstones with a background working with adolescents and young adults in a school setting. He also served as a Director of a residential summer camp in New Hampshire. Outside of work, Darren enjoys getting outdoors, learning about new things, and a good movie night with friends.

Anne Downey
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

A native New Englander, Anne comes to Cornerstones after having served as the Academic Director at a therapeutic boarding school, and as an adjunct English professor. She holds a B.A. in English from Wheaton College, an M.A. in English from Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of New Hampshire. In her work with young people, Anne is passionate about using metacognition to unlock each student’s academic potential, with a focus on building executive functioning skills in a clinical context. Anne enjoys reading, knitting, walking, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Evan Connolly
Life Skills & Academic Success Coach

Evan’s professional journey in the young adult therapeutic space began when he was a wilderness field guide in Utah. In this role, he honed his skills in leading and educating in the great outdoors and developed a passion for coaching. He completed two terms with AmeriCorps, working with students aged 6 to 18 in Title 1 public schools, focusing on academics and leadership development. During this time, he also coached a Lego Robotics team, further showcasing his commitment to youth education.

 

Evan holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Economics and has an impressive array of certifications, including Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and NOLS Outdoor Educator Semester alumni. His dedication to environmental education is highlighted by his Peace Corps service in Panama, where he focused on environmental education.

 

Having explored 43 states across the U.S., Evan is deeply connected to the American landscape, though he has yet to venture beyond North America. His extensive travel and diverse experiences reflect his commitment to education, the environment, and adventure. In his spare time, Evan has a passion for climbing and live music. He also enjoys engaging in ‘type 2 fun’, which involves challenging yet rewarding outdoor activities.