Liz Whynott Named to RIZE Massachusetts Foundation | News
Liz Whynott steps up as senior program officer at the RIZE Massachusetts Foundation, spearheading a new hub-and-spoke model for the state’s municipal training and technical assistance program.This strategic move, fueled by opioid settlement dollars, aims to optimize the allocation of resources in the ongoing fight for opioid crisis solutions. Whynott, bringing over 15 years of harm reduction expertise, will lead the charge in assisting municipalities across Massachusetts with tailored support, fostering community-based strategies. Under her guidance, municipalities can expect personalized support, translating funding into impactful community change. RIZE aims to streamline services, and News Directory 3 is reporting on this collaborative effort. Discover what’s next as Whynott implements her model.
RIZE Massachusetts Foundation Appoints Liz whynott to Lead Municipal Opioid Support
The RIZE Massachusetts Foundation has named Liz Whynott as its senior program officer. Whynott will oversee the development of a new hub-and-spoke model for the state’s municipal training and technical assistance (TTA) program. RIZE will assume control of the TTA program on July 1 through its Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership. Funding for the program comes from opioid settlement dollars.
Julie Burns, president and CEO of RIZE, emphasized whynott’s experience and dedication.She noted Whynott’s history of building trust and creating impactful programs, as well as her commitment to incorporating the perspectives of those with lived experience. Burns believes municipalities can expect personalized support under Whynott’s leadership, helping them translate opioid settlement funding into tangible community change for opioid crisis solutions.
Transitioning TTA oversight to RIZE aims to streamline services and better align training with the state’s opioid abatement strategy. RIZE’s existing role in administering community grants, including the Municipal Matching Grant program, will facilitate a more coordinated approach to addressing the opioid crisis.
Whynott’s role involves guiding municipalities in the effective use of opioid abatement funds. Her new model will incorporate regional coordinators across Massachusetts, providing municipalities with local partners to support the development of community-based strategies to combat the opioid overdose crisis.
“I’ve seen firsthand the power of meeting people in need with compassion,dignity,and practical support,” Whynott said.“I’m excited to bring that same philosophy to this next chapter at RIZE and to partner with municipalities and local leaders to make the most of these critical resources.”
Before joining RIZE, Whynott spent over 15 years at Tapestry Health, where she expanded harm reduction services in Western Massachusetts. most recently, she served as director of Harm Reduction, managing teams and policies to reduce overdoses and improve health equity. She holds a master of public health degree from UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University.
Mosaic, powered by RIZE and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance addiction Services, is a public-private collaboration supporting initiatives addressing the opioid overdose crisis in historically underserved communities with high overdose rates. Funding originates from the Massachusetts Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund, established through legal efforts to hold companies accountable for the opioid crisis.
What’s next
Whynott will focus on implementing the hub-and-spoke model, ensuring municipalities receive tailored support to address the opioid crisis effectively using settlement funds.