Outright Vermont Staff & Board of Directors
* Ella Kaplan, NEW Education
& Outreach Coordinator *
(photo to come soon!)
Ella was born in Moscow and later immigrated with her
family to central Connecticut. She received a BA in psychology from Wesleyan University and is now working towards her Masters in Social Work
at the University of Vermont. Ella is a queer, femme woman who is committed to activism and advocacy through local organizing and collaboration. She has a strong background in diversity education
and anti-oppression work, and is thrilled to help support the incredible strength and resilience of queer youth in Vermont. Contact Ella
at ella[@]outrightvt.org
Katherine Betzer, Director of Health & Wellness Programs
Katherine, a native of tropical climates (Hawaii & Florida),
is blissfully happy to be a member of the Outright VT team . A
graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Katherine earned her BA in
Cultural Anthropology and Art History. This proud and sassy redhead
can be found in the green office amongst all the plants with her
new co-worker Ella. Katherine[at]outrightvt.org
Michel DuBois, Bookkeeper
Michel is secretly proud to admit that he's one of the most humble
of the queerfolk in the greater Burlington area. A native of Barre,
he surprised everybody - even himself - by leaving that cozy little
hometown for the continent of Europe where he eventually learned
some languages and scraped together a BA in philosophy. He began
his journey into professional queerhood facilitating a Coming
Out Support Group at the RU12 queer community center and serving
as Operations Manager for Out in the Mountains. In his quiet time,
he volunteers for the community of Faerie Camp Destiny, helping
to create a queer-oriented sanctuary on nearly 200 acres woodland
in southern Vermont. Bookkeeper[at]outrightvt.org
Christopher L. Neff, Executive Director
Neff is native of northeastern Connecticut and recently received
a Masters Degree in Public Policy with honors from the University
of Sydney. He has worked on both sides of the aisle for Republican
Senator John Warner of Virginia and Democratic Senator Harry Reid
of Nevada. On LGBT issues, Neff has worked for the Michael D.
Palm Center, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and the public
relations firm DDB Issues and Advocacy. Neff also served as President
of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C.
and on the Board of Directors for the Equality Federation of state-wide
LGBT political organizations. Contact him
at christopher[at]outrightvt.org
* Whitney Smith, NEW Youth Coordinator*
Whitney recently relocated to Burlington from Shepherdstown, WV
after graduating from Shepherd University with a BA in English
Literature and a minor in Womyn/Gender Studies. It is an understatement
to say that Whitney is ecstatic about joining the Outright VT
Team, and looks forward to helping youth and their space grow.
With all of the plants, bright colors and the sprawling array
of books, Whitney enjoys spending time down the long hall in her
corner of the youth space. Contact Whitney at whitney[@]outrightvt.org
Board of Directors
Our growing Board of Directors is comprised primarily of human
service professionals, educators, community members and most importantly YOUTH!
Youth board members can be any age and serve one-year terms.
The youth act as advisors to the adults on board for issues that
will effect how we support youth.
Adult board members serve two-year terms and are actively involved
in fundraising for Outright Vermont. Board members join at least
one board committee to actively engage in orgainzational planning,
development, marketing, and board recruitment. All Board members
are charged with agency oversight, accountability, and financial
sustainability.
Current Board of Directors 2008:
- Anne Charles
- Cedric Davis, Voting Youth
- Brian Gilbar, Past Chair
- Ron Gustafson
- Peter Harrigan, Secretary
- Mark Litchfield
- Connor McFadden, Voting Youth
- Patricia Suozzi
- David Webb
- Susanna Weller, Chair
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