Board of Directors:

The Freedom Café relies on a Board of Directors that is responsible for making major decisions in the organization and steering us towards fulfilling our mission. Our Board is composed of a variety of specialists bring their knowledge together in their passion to create a world where all people are free. Learn more about the individuals below.

Jenna Roberts, President

Sean Matthews, Co-Founder, Vice President

Erik Ickes, Secretary

Jonathan Millet, Interim Treasurer

Bryan Bessette, Co-Founder, Executive Director
Bryan's commitment to ending human trafficking was solidified after leading a service trip to Nepal in January 2011, where he and a team of students spent time working with families recovering from life-long bonded slavery. Following the trip and the realization that human trafficking is a more prevalent and under-resourced issue than he had imagined, Bryan helped initiate and co-found the Freedom Cafe in 2012. 

As a teacher in multiple contexts, Bryan understands that educating a community requires more than just presenting information. He has the ability to create a genuine learning environment for both professional and community groups and enjoys the process of developing content. Bryan is passionate about bringing people together in community to learn from one another and translate ideas and beliefs into beneficial action for all. 

Bryan is a long time tea drinker and has come to equally enjoy coffee since experiencing the tastes and culture of the specialty coffee world. Bryan has a BS in Education from Plymouth State, is Ordained by the Assemblies of God and serves as a Chaplain at the University of New Hampshire.  

Daniel Demers, Development Chair
Dan is the founder and owner of D Squared Java (Espresso Bar and Coffee House) in Exeter, NH which opened it's doors in 2012. The focus of D Squared Java is on quality and continuing to push the envelope of specialty coffee on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Dan has accumulated nearly 10 years of coffee and barista experience, holds a Level 2 Barista certificate through the Barista Guild of America and is a certified Lead Instructor for the Specialty Coffee Association.

As a frequent speaking guest and trainer at Freedom Cafe, Dan has offered Seed to Cup seminars detailing coffee's journey from the farm to the coffee shop as well as providing training opportunities for motivated volunteers to learn about the brewing process.

Noticing the connection with the coffee industry and human trafficking, Dan became a board member in 2015 to help educate consumers through the Freedom Cafe on how to purchase coffee in an ethical manner.

Rachel Vaz, Capacity Building Chair

Lorry Lemire - Community Engagement Chair
A seasoned analyst and experienced project manager, Lorry is also a mother of two wonderful kids, a long-time community volunteer and activist. After graduating summa cum laude from SNHU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she now holds a master’s certification in Project Management from George Washington University and is also a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. In her spare time while working for a Fortune 100 company, Lorry served on the Board of Directors for the Seacoast Mother’s Association as well as volunteering throughout the greater Seacoast area for organizations such as The Chase Home, Blue Ocean Society, Destination Imagination, and her local elementary school.

In 2021 Lorry was accepted into and graduated from the Leadership Seacoast program where she met Co-Founder and President, Bryan Bessette. Once Lorry became aware of the issue of human trafficking happening not just “over there”, but here in our beautiful little state of NH, there was no turning her back on the issue. “I am so inspired by the impact The Freedom Cafe is making in raising community awareness and looking forward to doing my part to end human trafficking one cup at a time.”

Follow Lorry on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lorrylemire or on Instagram: @nh_seacoast_and_beyond

Lorry’s favorite cafe product: Wild Maine Blueberry Ice Tea