Carol McQuillen: Chair
Carol McQuillen, Master of Education, has been working with children, families and communities for over 30 years. She has worked as a community facilitator for strategic planning in the South Burlington Schools and was a founding member of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. Carol has traveled abroad with young people in a variety of service-learning projects. She co-founded the SLIMY (Sustainable Living Initiatives Motivating Youth) committee at her school through the PTO. This committee has brought forth the mission of Common Roots and the nonprofit organization.
cmcquillen@sbschools.net
Terri Donovan: Secretary
Terri Donovan works with the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Vermont, where she works closely with government agencies and nonprofit organizations to conserve wildlife populations and habitat. She holds advanced degrees in Biology and Environmental Biology, including a teaching certificate for junior high and high school biology. Terri lives in South Burlington with her husband Peter (a founding board member of Common Roots), and their two children, Evan and Ana.
tdonovan@uvm.edu
Joyce Hendley: Member
Joyce Hendley specializes in food writing and recipe development for people with healthy appetites. A contributor to EatingWell magazine and former Food Editor of Weight Watchers Magazine, she also develops products, recipes and flavors for several Vermont-based food companies and blogs regularly at glutenfreely.com. She and her husband Henrik live in South Burlington, where they are both actively involved in school and community issues. They are parents of two occasionally picky eaters and keeping track of two very dog-like cats.
Gioiacooking@gmail.com
Stephanie O'Brien: Member
Stephanie is a lifelong resident of South Burlington and grew up on the family's dairy farm. She brings over 20 years of her business, land use and board experience to Common Roots.
In addition to her work with Common Roots, Stephanie was appointed by Governor Jim Douglas to the State of Vermont's Liquor Control Board -- the first female in the history of the board to serve as a member. In 2011, Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Stephanie as Chairman of the board.
Stephanie also serves as a board member of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and on Congressman Peter Welch's Business Advisory Council. She is an ambassador to the annual fund raising effort of the United Way Campaign.
Stephanie is a real estate Broker and holds several certifications through the National Center for Housing Management.
She is the former President & CEO of O'Brien Brothers Agency and her prior board experience includes service on the executive committee of the Vermont Housing Managers Association and to the Vermont Housing Council, the latter being an appointment by former Governor Howard Dean.
She is a graduate of Plymouth State College in Plymouth, New Hampshire. On the weekends you will find Stephanie out on the slopes skiing, hiking or out on an adventure with her daughter Grace and husband Roger.
obrienstephanie@comcast.net
Our Advisors
Allen Matthews: Member
Allen Matthews, M.S., is Senior Farm Enterprise Coordinator for the Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont, where he concentrates on practical on-farm research and enhancing farm viability through alternative business planning and development.
A generational farmer, Allen has become increasingly more involved in promoting the use of sustainable agriculture practices. As one of the initial farmers in northeastern United States to receive a full three-year Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Grant, his past research and work with the family farm have been highlighted nationally, most recently in The NEW American Farmer. Allen works to establish alternative enterprises and market alliances with farmers, consumers, and food system advocacy programs, and has successfully linked agriculture with economic development at the international level.
allen.matthews@uvm.edu