Laurie Barger Sutter

CEO and Founder

Laurie has three decades of experience facilitating the development of sustainable public and behavioral health systems that can solve complex social and public health issues and enhance the well-being of people. Her strategic planning, health system assessment, and evaluation tools and processes have been used to strengthen organizational and health outcomes in all 50 states and 10 federal jurisdictions. She’s also conducted hundreds of webinars, workshops, and training and technical assistance (TA) projects for state and federal agencies including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S Department of Education, and the American Public Health Association. As the CEO of Growth Partners, Laurie oversees TA to multiple states and communities as well as the New Hampshire Technical Assistance Center for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to founding Growth Partners, Laurie directed the State TA Contract for SAMHSA where she oversaw organizational system assessments and TA for all 50 states and 10 federal jurisdictions. Laurie also has experience in state government, having directed projects for the Nebraska Governor’s Office and the Nebraska Health and Human Service System. She has extensive experience working with community, state, tribal, territorial, and federal agencies and organizations and was named an Advocate of the Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) for her work in helping secure Congressional passage of national health policies.