SAMARA BOARD MEMBERS

Susan Baker, Board President: Montpelier

Susan brings a thorough understanding of development to Samara based on her work with the Vermont Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. For five years she has served as Development Director of the Nature Conservancy and we have enjoyed her expertise with our own Development Committee. Susan and her partner Jesi, live in Montpelier.

Warren Hathaway, Board Vice President: Montpelier

Bart Evans, Treasurer: Brattleboro

Bart has been actively involved in the Vermont GLBT community serving six years (four years as Chair) on the Board of the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont. With more than 25 years of technical writing and editing experience, Bart is putting those skills to use by serving on the Finance and Investment Committee as well as assisting the staff with press releases and the Samara Community Report.

Jayne Sheridan, Board Secretary: Richmond

Jayne works as the assistant director of Northern New England Tradeswomen, a nonprofit organization that helps Vermont women enter, advance and remain in the skilled trades or other non-traditional activities through a comprehensive program of recruitment, training, referrals, placements, netwoking, advocacy and retention activities. Jayne brings a wealth of experience from over twenty years in public education and the non-profit world. Jayne lives in Richmond, and when not dealing with her "special needs" dog, enjoys sailing.

Natalie Brennan, Dummerston

Natalie has served for the past three years on the Samara Scholarship Committee, bringing to that important program her work experience at the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation where she works as as an outreach counselor with low-income first generation college bound students. Prior to Samara, Natalie was integral in the formation of the Vermont chapter of GLSEN. Natalie lives in a newly painted house in Dummerston with her partner Jennifer.

John Crane: White River Junction

John is the Director of Administrative Services at Dartmouth College Library and past community service involved time with the AIDS Community Resource Network, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society, Inc. John and his partner David were joined in a Civil Union in 2001. His attitude, enthusiasm and intelligence are an inspiration to us all.

Sarah Harrington: Ferrisburgh

Sarah joined the Samara board in the fall of 2003. Before Samara, Sarah served on the board of Mountain Pride Media and was a founding member of the Rainbow Business Coalition.

Linda Markin: Hardwick

As the Chief Financial Officer at Concept2, Linda brings a wealth of financial experience to Samara. Linda and her partner Marie celebrated their 21st anniversary by being joined in a civil union in December 2000. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Linda lives with Marie in Hardwick Vermont where she also serves as a Justice of the Peace.

Richard Wizansky, Guilford

As Development Director of The Student Conservation Association for the past twelve years, Richard brings not only fundraising skills but grant writing and grant reviewing knowledge to Samara as well. Richard recently chaired the 2003 and 2004 Samara Grants Advisory Committee and will be conducting a grant writing workshop sponsored by the Samara Foundation in Southern Vermont this fall. Richard and his partner Todd live in Guilford.

Paula Baker, Wallingford