Our Team

Abby White

Abby leads the Communications and Development team, which fosters engagement through events, storytelling, and fundraising. She joined VLT in 2019, after 15 years working in the clean energy sector. Abby is the person to call if you are a reporter, lawmaker, or generally inquisitive person who is seeking information about conservation and Vermont lands. She serves as one of the co-chairs of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, which advocates for strong state investments in housing and conservation. She lives in Montpelier with her husband, two boys, and a very enthusiastic rescue pup.

Adam Piper

Adam is a Project Director in Addison County who primarily supports owners of conserved land. He joined VLT in 2007 after finishing school and returning home to Vermont. Adam is the person to call if you are a conserved landowner with questions about your easement or seeking to improve the health and affordability of your land. He lives on his family’s farm in Huntington where you can find him outdoors in any weather playing with his two boys, doing farm chores, or developing his own businesses. 

Al Karnatz

As the ad-hoc VLT Historian, Al has conserved hundreds of farms in the Champlain Valley and brings decades of experience and relationships in the agricultural community. He works with landowners who are interested in conserving their farms and new farmers who are interested in buying land. Prior to joining VLT in 1994, Al conducted field research of agricultural products in the Midwest, worked for the Vermont Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and spent seven years with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. He is also a member of the Vermont Act 250 Environmental Commission. He and his wife have two sons, who grew up exploring the outdoors on various family adventures.

Allaire Diamond

As a VLT ecologist, Allaire seeks to understand the ecological complexity of Vermont’s land. She leads wetland and stream restoration projects statewide, conducts ecological assessments, and collaborates with landowners and partners to improve water quality, climate resilience, and biodiversity on conserved lands. She joined VLT in 2011, integrating previous experience in science education, research, and writing. Allaire grew up in Springfield and holds a BA from Wellesley College and an MEd and MS from the University of Vermont. To her, it doesn’t get much better than skate-skiing on the frozen surface of Great Hosmer Pond in Craftsbury and Albany.

Angus Baldwin

Angus manages the West Farm on VLT’s Brewster Uplands property in Jeffersonville. West Farm comprises 100 acres of open land with a mixture of vegetables, hay, and pasture. He joined VLT in 2017 after working on farms for over fifteen years. As the manager of West Farm, Angus focuses on the utilization of the land with an eye to regenerative practices, community engagement, and educational opportunities.

Annalise Carington

Annalise manages VLT’s Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) in partnership with the University of Vermont and Bio-Logical Capital. Funded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, CIG is a five-year research project aiming to advance soil health and support farmer livelihoods. She joined VLT in 2022 after working with several state and federal land management programs in Vermont. Since 2015, she has supported farmers on water quality, habitat restoration, and farm viability projects. She loves spending time in her garden and running on trails with her lanky pup, Lu, in tow.

Ben Waterman

As the Lands Director, Ben oversees management of and programming on lands that we own in service to communities. He joined VLT in 2019 after fifteen years of working as an agricultural development educator and professor of soil science. Ben is the person to call if you have questions or ideas about the lands we own and programs we support there. When not out on VLT properties, you can find him on his home farm growing blueberries, building or fixing things, or blowing his trombone.

Bob Heiser

Bob works with landowners and communities to protect forestland and community lands in northwestern Vermont. Prior to joining VLT in 2005, Bob did ecological field research for NorthWoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, Vermont and served as a Managing Director at Cambridge Associates in Boston where he advised the boards of non-profit organizations on their endowment investments. He is our internal expert on community conservation, and is the person to contact if you’re a community leader or volunteer looking to protect land in northwestern Vermont. Bob holds a bachelor’s from Amherst College, an MS in Resource Ecology & Management from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He lives in Richmond, where he loves exploring the woods and rivers with his wife and twin daughters.

Brian Townsend

Brian leads the Information Technology team, which works with all staff to enable and improve our work through the strategic implementation of technology and systems. He joined VLT in 2021, after over 18 years of leading information technology activities across state government. On any given day, you can find him supporting technology in our offices, working with colleagues out in the field, or coordinating the efforts of technology partners and vendors.

Britt Haselton

Britt manages farmland conservation projects in Central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom. He is the person to call if you own farmland in the  Central and Northeast regions and would like to explore whether conservation is right for you. Britt joined VLT in 2012 after working on a variety of conservation science and land protection projects in Vermont and New York. He lives in Bolton with his wife and two kids.

Caitlin Cusack

Caitlin is one of four licensed foresters who manages land owned by VLT and provides technical assistance to conserved landowners.  She joined VLT in 2015 after seven years as a consulting forester and educator with the VT Urban and Community Forestry Program. She holds an MF from Yale University and BA from The College of the Holy Cross. Caitlin is the person to contact if you own conserved land in the Champlain Valley or Mad River Valley and have questions about forest management. She serves on the steering committee for Women Owning Woodlands and owns a sugaring business with her husband and daughter in Bristol.

Cara Montgomery

Chris Moore

As one of the longest tenured employees, Chris has seen and experienced VLT’s evolution first-hand. He joined in 1999 as a summer intern and served in six roles since then. Today, he makes maps, manages databases, and makes sure all of VLT’s data sources connect with one another. His favorite conservation project is the next one we complete. Outside of work, Chris is an amateur gardener and even more amateur carpenter.

Christa Kemp

Christa serves as our Director of Donor Relations, responsible for major gifts and planned giving. She joined VLT in 2011, after working in Burlington as an investment advisor and retirement planner. A native Vermonter, she brings 30 years of experience working or volunteering on behalf of land and wildlife conservation. Christa especially loves connecting with people about VLT’s work and our impact on farming, forestry, climate, and recreation. She is the person to contact if you’re interested in making a donation to protect the Vermont you love—either an immediate gift or planned gift. When not on the phone or on the road, she is horseback riding, running, or skiing through her favorite town of Richmond.

Christine McShea

Christy is our Staff Attorney who manages land transactions and oversees our team of legal professionals. She graduated from Vermont Law School in 2014, and brings to VLT expertise in land title research.  Christy is the person to call if you are a legal professional or landowner working on an active real estate transaction with VLT. Outside of the office, you can find Christy on the soccer pitch, coaching for Capital Soccer Club, and spending time with her quirky cat, George.

Dan Kilborn

Dan is a forester in northeastern Vermont who assists landowners with forest management, teaches on-line and in-person events, and helps to manage lands that VLT owns. Prior to joining VLT in 2007, Dan served as a consulting forester in northern Vermont and New Hampshire. With a degree in forest resource management, Dan is the person to contact if you own woodlands in northeast Vermont and need guidance on anything from maximizing timber yields to improving wildlife habitat. He also enjoys exploring the connections between people and land, especially people’s relationship with our forests and how it influences the decisions we make. Off the job, Dan enjoys canoeing, hiking, hunting, birding, and helping to manage his family’s woodland.

David McMath

David is one of four licensed foresters who provides technical assistance to owners of conserved land. Prior to joining VLT in 2018, he was a consulting forester for over 23 years providing natural resource management services for clients throughout New England. In this role he was responsible for the day-to-day management of the former Atlas Timberlands in Northeast Vermont. David is the person to contact if you own conserved land in western and central Vermont and have questions about sustainable forest management. When not at his desk or in the woods, David enjoys being active outside, trying to slow down the aging process.

David Morrissey

David is a member of the Finance & Administration Team, which supports VLT’s goals with transparent, accurate, and timely accounting and operating practices. He joined VLT in November 2021 after 16+ years in a non-profit accounting and operations role, and after hiking the Long Trail in the fall of 2021. Today, he is ready to use his experience, both on trail and off, to contribute to VLT’s mission of connecting people to the land in Vermont.

Dee Gish

Dee is an operational linchpin who manages accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and benefits, as well as day-to-day functions around the office. She joined VLT in 2019 after 8 years of serving as the finance manager at one of Vermont’s regional planning commissions, and decades of volunteer service with environmental, community, and parent-teacher organizations. When not crunching numbers in a spreadsheet, you can find Dee in the garden, baking goodies, hiking, or tending to the family sheep, chickens, dogs or cat.

Donald Campbell

Donald is a Project Director in southwest Vermont, working with landowners and communities on new conservation projects, and helping to ensure the protection of lands that have already been conserved. He joined VLT in 2002, after working at Shelburne Farms, Butternut Mountain Farm, The Land Concern, and the U.S. Forest Service. Committed to both community planning and conservation, Donald has been part of Bennington’s select board, planning commission, regional commission, and local non-profits focusing on food systems, outdoor recreation and education. With his wife and daughters, Donald chases a few sheep around his historic family farmstead in Bennington and plays the banjo in his spare time.

Donna Foster

Donna is a project director for south central Vermont, based out of the King Farm office in Woodstock. As a 20-year veteran of VLT, she had helped hundreds of landowners care for their conserved land. She is the person to contact if you are interested in conserving land in her region or have questions about conservation easements or land management. Donna graduated from The University of New Hampshire’s environmental science program, walked with her husband from Georgia to Maine, and helped to build and now rebuild their home. She spends her time keeping track of three young adult daughters, and growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers in her greenhouse and gardens.

Jane Coffey

Jane works with the development and communications team to facilitate fundraising appeals and manage donations. She joined VLT in 2002 after spending 4 years at the Green Mountain Club working with members and volunteers. Jane is the person to contact if you would like to donate or have a question about your membership. On any given day, you can find her running and hiking the trails of Vermont and the mountains of New England.

Jennifer Garrett

As a Project Director, Jennifer leads VLT’s land protection and easement stewardship work in southeastern Vermont. On a given day, you may find her walking in the woods with landowners, meeting with conservation partners to discuss a new community project, or documenting natural communities in the field. Jennifer is the person to contact in the southeast region if you have questions about your conserved land or want to explore a new conservation project. She joined VLT in 2015, with a background in conservation biology.

Jessie Estes

Jessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.

Jon Osborne

As GIS Director, Jon manages our spatial data and empowers field staff to make more informed conservation and stewardship decisions. After a seven-year stint in Colorado working with the City of Boulder Department of Open Space, Jon returned to Vermont and joined VLT in 1998. During sugaring season you will find Jon operating the family maple business in the NEK.

Kate Shaw

Kate leads fundraising strategy and operations that grow and maintain financial support for VLT. She is the person to contact if you would like to explore ways to give. Kate joined VLT in 2013, after more than 15 years fundraising for educational and scientific institutions. Kate holds a Masters from the Yale School of the Environment and a BA from Boston University. She lives in Waterbury Center with her husband and a very large cat. When not enjoying the outdoors in Vermont and on Cape Cod, she can be found in the pottery studio.

Kerry O’Brien

Kerry serves as a Project Director for the Northeast Kingdom covering stewardship and new conservation projects in the area. She joined VLT in 2021 after 17 years of working with landowners and communities in the water quality sector. Kerry is a key contact for conserved landowners in the NEK and for those interested in conserving community lands, forestland, or river corridors. She holds a BA in Sociology and a MA in Conservation Policy. Outside of work, she loves to get out on the water and enjoy the garden and trails at home with her family.

Liz Thompson

Since 2003, Liz has helped VLT increase the protection of ecological systems within and alongside working lands. With Eric Sorenson and Bob Zaino, she is a co-author of Wetland, Woodland, Wildland, A Guide to the Natural Communities of Vermont, and she has taught ecology and field botany at the University of Vermont. She enjoys hiking, photography, and music.

Liza Walker

Liza serves as a Project Director in Central Vermont, working directly with landowners and communities to conserve and steward farms and forestlands, town forests, natural areas, and recreational lands. Liza loves to talk about land, and is the one to call if you are curious about conserving land in Central Vermont. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College, a Professional Certificate in Conflict Management from Champlain College, and is a Certified Community Heart & Soul© Coach. After living in the Mad River Valley for over 20 years, Liza recently moved to Bristol, where she enjoys exploring on foot, skis, or bike, depending on the season.

Lynn Ellen Schimoler

Lynn Ellen keeps VLT running smoothly by leading our operations: information technology, finance and human resources teams. She came to VLT from the Agency of Agriculture’s Working Lands Enterprise Board. While there, she increased investments into working lands, implemented governance practices, and served as a legislative liaison. Her work connected farms, food, and forest business with assistance and funding. Prior, Lynn Ellen collaborated on food co-op expansions with the National Cooperatives Grocer, and directed purchasing at Onion River Co-op. She’s an advisor to the Women in Leadership Program at the University of Vermont and serves on the board of the Real Organic Project. If she is not in the office, she is walking (or dancing) in the woods, watching Lacrosse or chasing after her two kids.

Maggie Donin

Maggie leads our Farmland Futures program, which supports the successful transfer of farmland and helps the next generation of farmers get a farm of their own. She joined VLT in 2019 with expertise in farm business planning and years of experience working on farms. Maggie is the person to contact if you are a beginning farmer seeking land, or you are a farm service provider interested in partnering with us. When not out on the land for VLT, Maggie can be found exploring the Green Mountains with her husband and their red heeler named Hosmer.

Maya Sutton-Smith

Maya manages events for VLT in collaboration with colleagues and community partners. She joined us in 2021 after coordinating events and scheduling for Senator Bernie Sanders and the Vermont Legislature. Maya is the person to contact if you have questions about VLT events or sponsorships. When she’s not running virtual webinars or managing event logistics, you can find her on the land taking care of her small flock of sheep.

Nick Richardson

Nick became President & CEO in 2017, prior to which he served as VLT’s Vice President for Enterprise and Finance. In this role he led capital recruitment and strategic finance projects, including the launch of a $10 million revolving land acquisition fund. Before joining VLT, Nick worked in program development at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and led capital recruitment and strategy at Encore Renewable Energy, a renewable energy development firm. He received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2008. Within Vermont, Nick serves on various boards and commissions, including VEIC where he is Board Chair. Outside of work, Nick and his family enjoy everything Vermont and its outdoors have to offer, no matter the season.

Rasna Dhillon

Rasna works on the Communications and Development team, bringing stories from the land to our members and supporters through emails, publications, the press, and our website. She joined VLT in 2018 after 20 years as an editor and project manager in India, the UK, and the US. Rasna is the person to contact with general inquiries about VLT or storytelling opportunities. One of her favorite trails in Vermont winds around Osmore Pond, where the loons on the water and the mosses on the path command equal attention.

Rebecca Roman

Rebecca is a Project Director for land conservation in Chittenden County and surrounding towns. She joined VLT in 2017 as an AmeriCorps member after graduating from UVM in Environmental Sciences, and joined the staff fulltime in 2019. Rebecca is the person to call with questions about your conservation easement, improving or selling your land, or Town land-management plans. She is a member of the Burlington Conservation Board, on the Board of the Association of VT Conservation Commissions, and serves on the New Leaders Council. Often on adventures with her dog Juniper, she enjoys hiking, biking, yoga and cooking big meals for friends.

Pamela Burlingame

Pam assists owners of conserved land with their conservation easements, land management decisions, and planning in southwestern Vermont. Originally from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Pam joined VLT in 2012 after serving in field, technical, and educational roles for farm and forest organizations in southern Vermont. Pam is the person to call with any questions regarding VLT-conserved properties in Rutland County, and portions of Addison and Bennington Counties. Outside of work, she plays the fiddle in a bluegrass band and likes to explore the hills and hollows of Poultney, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

Sumana Serchan

Sumana joined VLT in 2016, after managing tree plantings for New York City and working on urban renewal projects in New Haven, CT. At VLT, she serves on the Land Protection team, supporting effective project management and ensuring that all grant requirements are met. When not at work, Sumana enjoys hiking, biking and playing with her daughter Oshin.

Tracy Zschau

Tricia Bhatia

Tricia is a Paralegal who performs legal due diligence and facilitates a wide range of conservation transactions. She joined VLT in 2019 after crisscrossing the country. She brings a breadth of experience in land conservation in the Adirondacks and Massachusetts, marine conservation in Alaska and California, and political organizing. Tricia is the person to contact if you have a question about our Cold Hollow Forest Carbon Program or are working with us on a legal transaction. Outside of work, you can find her exploring new trails and bodies of water in Vermont and the Adirondacks.

Tucker Malone

Tucker is a Project Director for northwestern Vermont, where he helps ensure the protection nearly 300 conserved properties in the area. He is an 8th-generation Vermonter who grew up on a small dairy farm in Franklin County. Tucker joined VLT in 2022 and is excited to serve the community he calls home. Contact him if you have questions about your conserved land in northwestern Vermont. Tucker is a sugarmaker and a horseman who raises and shows Belgian draft horses.

Tyler Miller

Tyler is the Vice President of Land Activation, overseeing our efforts to strengthen communities and the health of our land. He joined VLT in 2006, first working directly with landowners, then later leading staff who ensure the ongoing protection of conserved land. He grew up in Grand Isle County, spending his childhood swimming and fishing in Lake Champlain. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and holds a master’s degree in resource management and administration from Antioch University. During his tenure, he has visited just about every nook and cranny of the state, meeting a lot of great people along the way. In his free time, Tyler is an avid gardener, woodworker, hiker, and cross-country skier.