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Our Common Roots Team

Carol has decades of experience educating children, working with families, and building community. In 2009 she co-founded Common Roots centered on food education, food security and land stewardship. In 1982 she co-founded Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, the 52nd affiliate in the US. Carol is passionate about supporting food education, food equity, and leaving a vibrant food system for future generations.

Carol McQuillen

Trustee

Common Roots

Co-Founder

Executive Director

carol@commonroots.org

Anthony has over 35 years of culinary, hospitality, and business management experience. His passion grew for the love of bringing everyone to the table for delicious food, celebrating different cultures and having meaningful conversations. Crafting his skills to accent the freshness of farm to table he has created Vermont Fusion Cuisine by creating and merging recipes from around the world using Vermont local farm fresh products. He is dedicated to the tasks ahead to sustain our mission and vision for our collective future.

Anthony Jones

Trustee

Common Roots

Advisor

Executive Chef

anthony@commonroots.org

A recent graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, has always had an appetite for Health and Wellness. Possessing an artist's sensibility, Liz spent 20 years working for the local NBC Affiliate, WPTZ-TV specializing in creative marketing and storytelling. As a passionate advocate for Food Insecurity in Vermont, Liz has raised thousands of dollars in donations by coordinating numerous farm-to-table dinner events. Living in The Green Mountains for over 25 years, Liz looks forward to every flavorful season and every future nourishing endeavor.

Liz Spitler

Trustee

Common Roots

Everything

Marketing and Community

Lspitler1962@gmail.com

Matt grew up in South Burlington and is committed to the local food movement. As part owner of Hotel Vermont, he has many years in the hospitality business, and has a passion for quality food. With this in mind, Matt is heartened to be part of our 5 food education and access programs. When not in the hotel, you may find Matt on his bike or on the slopes!

Matt Canning

Trustee

Hotel Vermont

Advisor

Co-Owner

matt@hotelvt.com

Amy is the CFO of Edlund Restaurant supplies in Burlington, VT. She has expert skills in financial planning, documentation, analysis, and oversight. Amy has over 20 years’ experience in finance.

Amy Jones

Trustee

Edlund Restaurant Supplies

Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer

ajones@edlundco.com

Born and raised in South Burlington, Noah works for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets as a Water Quality Program Coordinator, helping farms comply with local and state agricultural regulations rough education and financial assistance provided through the State’s grant programs. Noah has worked extensively with Common Roots since his time as a UVM intern in 2019, working and volunteering for the food education and access programs the organization provides, and has helped in studying ways Common Roots can engage with secondary education while working on his Graduate program capstone.

Noah Gilbert-Fuller

Trustee

Vermont Agency of Ag, Food and Markets

Advisor

Water Quality Program Coordinator

email

Lisa is the CFO of Dedalus Wine. She has expert skills in business planning, developing strategic strategies, and creating franchises. Lisa has over 20 years’ experience in business.

Lisa Gorke

Trustee

Dedalus Wine

Chief Financial Officer

Monica has over 25 years of experience in banking. She currently works at Community Bank in the areas of investment finance and administration. Monica is passionate about giving back to her community and chose Common Roots knowing that our mission and vision requires a building sustainability plan to support workforce to have a vibrant food system in concert with other farms.

Monica Merrihew

Trustee

Community Bank

Advisor

Monica.merrihew@cbna.com

Ron is a business leader and innovator with decades of experience in a variety of fields. He currently is working on an FDA approved device to support the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Ron is a foodie as the husband of Marcia who owns Edible Vermont. Ron has extensive experience in fundraising and strategizing with nonprofit organizations.

Ron Lissak

Trustee

Postrigo, Inc.

Advisor

rjlissak@gmail.com

Jeff has more than 30 years’ experience in business with Maculiffe’s and helped found Symquest. He has a host of skills in management, planning and evaluating. In his retirement, Jeff would like to continue to give back to his community, use his skills, and hopefully make a difference. Jeff is passionate about growing things as he is an avid gardener.

Jeff Culkin

Trustee

Symquest, Maculiffe's

Oliver was born and raised in southern VT but has made Burlington his home. Oliver has years of experience working in local food systems, the last 15 with Black River Produce as an Area Manager connecting restaurants, retailers, farmers and producers. He has a passion for keeping Vermont’s agriculture and independent manufacturer industries thriving.

Oliver Curran

Trustee

Black River Produce

I moved to Vermont this winter hoping to continue my work in farming, community building, and supporting local food systems. With those passions and interests in mind, it didn't take me long to find Common Roots as these are all central pillars of their work. I have spent the last three years working for small organic farms and a farm-to-school nonprofit, and I am thrilled to be continuing that work in Vermont.

For this year's farmstand I am so excited to meet old and new members, folks in the neighborhood, and people just passing through. I will learn your names, get to know the products that excite you, and make this feel like this is your farmstand! So please stop by, introduce yourself, and let me know what you're looking forward to this season or what makes you keep coming back. I look forward to connecting with our community members and supporters, our local food producers, and strengthening the connection between the two. We hope to see ya soon and often for a great year of the best local offerings around!

When I am not managing this farmstand, you could find me near any body of water, playing sports, writing or reading or playing Bananagrams, and hitting up all the local farm stands and farmer's markets!

Abby Horner

Farmstand

Farm Manager

abby@commonroots.org

JoAnne Dennee

Educator

Retired

Food and Land Advisor

joanne@commonroots.org

Since 2017, Kayli O'Donnell, a Registered Dietitian, has been a driving force at Common Roots, fostering connections between the community and local food.

As Program Director, Kayli spearheads initiatives like Farm to School, Farm to Go, Farmstand Education, and Summer Camps. Using a unique, multi-faceted approach, she crafts curriculum that engages the senses.

For over four years, Kayli has brought her expertise to both classrooms and farms, fostering a sense of curiosity and a gentle understanding of ecology, agriculture, and health in all her students.

Kayli O'Donnell

Educator

Common Roots

Program Director

kayli@commonroots.org

Burlington native Naomi Wallner, a passionate outdoor educator in her fifth year of teaching, brings her love of nature to Common Roots this summer!

Naomi believes all children deserve the chance to connect with the natural world. As a lead teacher at Burlington Forest Preschool, she fosters this connection through hands-on learning.

An avid outdoorswoman, Naomi enjoys gardening, hiking, swimming, and cooking in her free time. Her experiences perfectly complement Common Roots' summer camp program.

Naomi Wallner

Educator

Burlington Forest Preschool

Deborah worked in Information Technology for her entire career focusing on system strategy, development, and project management. She has been employed in industries such as telecom, banking, entertainment, and healthcare. Deborah believes in giving back to the community and as such has spent significant time volunteering for the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity and Children's Literacy. She also believes in the importance of leading an active and nutritious lifestyle which is why she is drawn to the mission of Common Roots. Deb has served on our board for 6 years and continues to support us in budget forecasts, analysis, and consultation.

Deb Parente

Advisor

Retired

Volunteer

Stephanie is a talented businesswoman who grew up on her 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 Counsel.

Stephanie O'Brien

Advisor

Rob offers technical support with his trove of skills in IT. He has supported the mission of Common Roots for 8 years.

Rob Fish

Advisor

Vermont Community Broadband Board

Deputy Director

Megan is the Vice President of Shelburne Farms, a working, educational center on 1,400 acres on beautiful Lake Champlain. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont in the Rubenstein School focused on creating a more sustainable future. Common Roots has benefitted from Megan’s guidance for more than a decade. She is one of our key advisors and has supported us on many levels.

Megan Camp

Advisor

Shelburne Farms

Vice-President

Ross has over 40 years of experience in Human Resources. He readily rolls up his sleeves to help us with our HR Handbook, assists in decisions related to staff support and development.

Ross Schoembs

Advisor

JD volunteers his time to Common Roots focusing on improving Technology, Education and Community Building initiatives.

John Dawson

Advisor

Instructional Technology Engineer

Volunteer

jd.piper@gmail.com

Paul, our Strategic Planning support, has worked in food related businesses for his whole career. “He is now in “voluntirement” offering his assistance in planning, analysis and leading two Advisory Teams.

Paul Szalkucki

Advisor

Retired

Happiness

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