Speakers

Speaker	Date	Topic
Karen Peterson, Seacology	Apr 25, 2024 7:30 AM	Why Islands Matter Seacology (www.seacology.org) is a Berkeley, CA-based nonprofit organization that works only on the world’s islands, because they are uniquely vulnerable. In the last 500 years, 80 percent of all recorded extinctions have occurred on islands. Island communities face constant pressure to exploit their natural resources. But if a community wants to preserve its forest or sea, Seacology makes a grant for something the whole community needs, like a school, solar power, or help with ecotourism. Seacology helps island communities prosper by protecting resources – not exploiting them. Karen Peterson has been with Seacology since it became a staffed organization in 1999 and has been working on international conservation issues for nearly 30 years. She has experience ranging from small village-based organizations to world-renowned foundations and has worked with all aspects of non-profit administration and management. Karen’s primary responsibilities at Seacology include managing the Dominican Republic National Mangrove Initiative and our work in Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as Guatemala and El Salvador. She previously oversaw the Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project, Seacology’s largest-ever program. She formerly served as Seacology’s Program Manager, overseeing all of our field representatives and projects throughout the world. Karen is a graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. She has served on the board of directors of several civic and charitable organizations, as well as the Contra Costa (CA) County Planning Commission and Contra Costa Commission for Women. After over three decades in the west, Karen has returned to her home state of Vermont, where she enjoys hiking and trail running, Nordic skiing, and spending time with horses. She also proudly serves as Williston’s alternate representative on the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.
Gretchen Owens, Executive Director	May 09, 2024 7:30 AM	EDD Adaptive Sports in Vermont About EDD Adaptive Sports: EDD Adaptive Sports, formerly known as the Eric D. Dettenrieder Memorial Fund, is a nonprofit organization that provides sports and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. Their goal is for kids and adults with disabilities to experience freedom, independence and adventure through participation in sports. Their motto is, “If I can do this, I can do anything!” EDD Adaptive Sports partners with Hartwick College, SUNY Delhi and SUNY Morrisville to offer team and lifetime sport programs like biking, fitness, kickball and pickleball in Central New York and Vermont. College student volunteers assist at many programs. Since 1998, more than 4,325 individuals with disabilities have benefited from EDD programs. EDD Adaptive Sports is a chapter of Move United.
Ben Kinnaman, Founder & CEO	May 16, 2024 7:30 AM	Greensea IQ Greensea IQ uses the power of robot intelligence to extend our reach into the world's oceans so that our work there may be persistent, efficient, safe and for the protection of earth and mankind. Ben Kinnaman founded Greensea in 2006 in Richmond, VT. Over the past 18 years, Greensea has grown to be one of the world's leaders in ocean technology, pioneering the use of robotics with common software, autonomy, and AI to solve some of the largest problems facing the ocean. Though now a company that operates worldwide with additional offices in Plymouth, MA, San Diego, CA, and Rockledge, FL and representation in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, and Australia, Greensea keeps its headquarters in the old Corner Market building in Richmond. Ben and his wife, Joanna, live in Bolton where they have raised boys, both now in middle school at Camels Hump.
Ali Dieng, Regional Manager	May 23, 2024 7:30 AM	Building Bright Futures Building Bright Futures (BBF) is a nonprofit organization working to improve the well-being of young children and families in Vermont. We do this by monitoring Vermont’s early care, health, and education systems while advising the Governor, Administration, and Legislature on policy improvements. Ali Dieng is a passionate and dedicated community leader who supports BBF’s Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle regions. Ali joined the BBF team from the education sector, where he engaged parents, educators, and community partners by running Parent University and served in various roles for the Burlington School District over 13 years. Ali is committed to building more equitable and accessible systems and brings his expertise engaging diverse perspectives, especially those from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Ali also brings an understanding of the early childhood, after-school, and social service systems and a desire to cultivate connections across the three regions he serves in Northern Vermont. Ali is a 2016 graduate of the Snelling Center for Government’s Early Childhood Leadership Institute. His education background is in international law, which he studied at the University of Mauritania in Africa. In addition to his work with BBF, Ali loves being involved in the community in various capacities. He currently serves on the board of directors at the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunities (CVOEO) and is in his second term as a Burlington City Counselor. He resides in Burlington with his wife, Angela, and their two daughters.
Chris Donnelly, Director of Community Relations	May 30, 2024 7:30 AM	Champlain Housing Trust The Champlain Housing Trust is a Community Land Trust that supports the people of Northwest Vermont and strengthens their communities through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homes and related community assets. Chris Donnelly is CHT’s Director of Community Relations, having joined the Trust in April 2005. He directs CHT’s external communications, including community and endowment fundraising, grant writing, media and public relations, coalition and advocacy work, marketing of all programs and homes, and all publications. Chris also oversees community organizing and member relations. He has many years’ experience in fundraising for social justice organizations and has a strong background in public policy.