Will Matteson, associate program manager at Healthy Lincoln County (HLC), a project of MCD Global Health located in Lincoln County, Maine, received the 2025 Aspiring Leader in Prevention Award from the Maine Prevention Certification Board (MPCB).

“We are proud to announce that Will Matteson has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Aspiring Leader in Prevention Award, honoring his exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the field of substance use prevention and behavioral health,” according to the MPCB announcement.

At HLC, Will coordinates and oversees all substance use prevention work. This includes multiple federal, state, and local prevention initiatives, including work funded through the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act grant, Maine Prevention Network funds, and the Lincoln County Opioid Response grant awarded to HLC.

Through these projects, Will leads and supports a wide range of programming, coalition-building efforts, school partnerships, and community outreach activities across Lincoln County.

"It was a wonderful surprise and an incredible honor to receive this award. I am so grateful to be a part of the HLC team and the wider community of prevention and public health folks here in Maine,” Will said. “This award is really a reflection on all of the incredible partners and colleagues who have helped me learn this work and get to know the incredible community we have here in Lincoln County."

He started working at HLC in 2022 as the substance use prevention coordinator before being promoted in 2025 in recognition of his leadership, professionalism, and growing expertise.

Katie MacDonald, HLC’s director and Will’s supervisor, shared: “Will is very deserving of this award. He’s incredibly committed to this work and brings a real sense of humility to it — he’s not in it for the recognition, which makes this even more fitting.”

Will received his bachelor’s in English from Kenyon College and then made a significant career shift into prevention in 2022 after several years working in the hospitality industry. Since joining HLC, Will has completed extensive professional development in prevention science, including becoming a certified prevention specialist (PS-C).

Additionally, Will serves as the primary school‐based prevention educator for Lincoln County, delivering consistent, developmentally appropriate lessons on substance use, decision making, and mental health in every middle and high school. He also provides technical assistance, materials, and support to schools, youth groups, municipalities, law enforcement, and treatment and recovery partners.

“HLC is such an exciting and dynamic place to work, and I feel like we are able to make a difference at both the personal and systemic levels,” Will said. “It feels incredible to show up to work every day and know that I am working toward change and helping some people along the way. Prevention work plays out slowly, and success is measured over years and decades. This award is a great boost to keep moving forward."