Executive Director, Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise, and Associate Professor, Paul College of Business & Economics at University of New Hampshire
How did you first become connected with WNC? My husband and I bought a home located very close to WNC in 2000. We were drawn to the area in large part because of the incredible open space and stunning landscape of WNC. We quickly became almost daily visitors year-round, hiking the extensive trails in summer and skiing or snowshoeing them in winter. One of our favorite moments was when the two farm cats joined us early one snowy morning for a long snow shoe into the woods! After our daughter was born, we also started becoming frequent visitors to the farmyard. When she was three, we got to see a lamb being born in the barn, which definitely the start of her deep interest in animals. A good friend and neighbor was on the Board of WNC and one day asked if I might be interested in using some of my professional expertise to help with the organization’s strategic direction. I jumped at the chance, first joining an advisory board, and then the Board of Directors in 2011.
How do you hope to best contribute to WNC’s development through your tenure on the Board? I have been deeply involved since 2011 with the strategic direction of WNC. WNC is an amazing and unique location, a stunning historic saltwater farm on the coast of Maine. We also have an incredibly talented and passionate staff. I am passionate about continuing to help WNC most fully use all of these gifts to achieve our mission of transforming people’s relationship with farming and food. WNC has been on this mission for decades, and was an early innovator and pioneer in sustainable farming, but it’s so exciting to see that these ideas are now becoming more mainstream and more and more people are interested in where their food comes from, how it is grown, and how we can create a farming system that is in ecological and economic balance. I am excited to continue helping WNC expand its reach and impact – playing a role not just locally but regionally, nationally and internationally.
What is your favorite thing about WNC? How to pick just one thing?! It’s really about the overall experience – the amazing location, the people and the really cool hands-on learning programs for all ages all combine to give people a really meaningful and authentic opportunity to learn more and get more involved in farming and food.
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