Staff

Amanda Peters

Director

Amanda Peters earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in integrative studies focusing on non-profit management, public administration, social justice and composition & rhetoric from Northern Kentucky University.   

Working over a decade in crisis stabilization, resource navigation, community building and workforce development programs, Amanda has held positions in corporate, not-for-profit, higher education and government arenas.  Passionate about supporting communities and families and committed to improving the quality of life for all Northern Kentuckians, Amanda currently serves at the director of the Northern Kentucky office of Drug Control Policy. She has also recently joined the Safety-Net Alliance executive committee and serves as a board member for the Northern Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy. 

    Amy Martin

    Assistant Director

    Amy received her bachelor’s degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville in 2009 and earned her MPA from Northern Kentucky University in 2025.  She began her career working for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the Governor’s Office at the Department for Local Government in the Office of Federal Grants division.  Amy has worked in local government for over a decade and held a previous position as a Public Administration Specialist for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District before accepting the role of Assistant Director for the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy in December of 2018.  

      Sarah Blackburn

      Public Safety Administrator

      Sarah Blackburn is the Public Safety Administrator for the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy and Helpline. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ohio Northern University in May of 2000; a master’s in administration of justice in September of 2007; and A PhD (EBD) in Public Policy and Social Justice in January of 2017. Prior to working with NKADD, she has experience as a Criminal Justice Professor, Probation Officer, and Victim Advocate. Sarah is a subject matter expert in domestic minor human trafficking and a true interdisciplinarian. She enjoys using her passion for social justice to help empower communities and individuals towards success.

        Brianna Wolken

        Community Health Administrator

        Brianna Wolken is a care coordinator for the Northern Kentucky Addiction Helpline. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public health from Western Kentucky University in May 2020, where she also minored in Psychology and Nonprofit Management. In December of 2021, Brianna received her MPA from Arkansas State University Online. Prior to working with NKADD, she has experience as a behavioral health case manager in Cincinnati and worked as an Injury Prevention Coordinator focused on overdose prevention with Clermont County Public Health. She is passionate about empowering people towards a more healthy and equitable future.

          Julie Hellmann

          Regional Resource Specialist

          Julie Hellmann is the regional resources specialist within the Office of Drug Control Policy. She is an NKU Alumni, and has a bachelor’s degree in social work, with an area of focus of Human Services and addictions. Julie just received her master’s in social work this year. Before working for the Office of Drug Control Policy, Julie was a Police Dispatcher at the Northern Kentucky University Police Department. 


          Julie enjoys helping others and being involved within the community. Depending on what season, within her free time she enjoys attending hockey games, participating in 5K marathons, crafting, and visiting with friends and family. Something that she aspires to do is to travel to all 50 states and possibly other countries!