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Outright Vermont Staff & Board of Directors
Ella Kaplan,
Education & Outreach Manager
(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, Director of Operations
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
- Connor McFadden, Voting Youth
- Karen Pike
- Karen Popovich
- Patricia Suozzi
- Eadie Templin
- David Webb
- Susanna Weller, Chair
- Claire Williams
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