About us

Executive Director

Laura has an extensive background in grassroots and legislative advocacy, working on social justice issues that include drug policy reform, violence against women, and gun violence prevention. Laura has served as the executive director of The Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence, Steps to End Domestic Violence, and the NYC Coalition of Battered Women’s Advocates. Laura has served as a consultant to a wide variety of non-profit organizations. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of GunSenseVT.

Director

Liz was the founding director of the Anguilla National Trust, where she was responsible for establishing a system of management for cultural and environmental resources on the island. She worked as Development Director for the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST). She worked for the Orton Family Foundation as coordinator of a large community engagement initiative. She served on the school board and as Justice of the Peace in Essex for seven years and continues to work locally on equity issues in the school district.

Board President

Mia is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont where she studied Psychology with a minor in Business and Spanish. She is from Boulder, Colorado and enjoys spending time outside hiking, camping, swimming, and skiing. Mia is passionate about health, diversity, sustainable business development, and the outdoors.

Secretary

Louis is a Media & Marketing Consultant whose career has spanned three decades. Filled with passion, Louis has pushed for strategic impact, innovation, and success through growth. He was most recently EVP, Media & Data at the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies).

Board Member

Wetherbee Dorshow, PhD. is president and owner of Earth Analytic, Inc. (EAI). Wetherbee also serves as the executive director of The Puente Institute, a not-for-profit organization that investigates human adaptations to environmental change with advanced geospatial technology and science. Wetherbee is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Anthropology Dept. at the University of New Mexico. Pictured here with his dog, RIpple.

Board Member

Chris is a film editor with more than twenty years of experience working on television and film. She has worked extensively for National Geographic and, most recently, is an editor at Big Fish productions, where she works on television programs for a wide variety of audiences. In her free time, Chris loves to travel, ski, and walk the beaches with her dog, Juno.

Board Member

Andrew (JD ’92) has practiced criminal defense, with an emphasis on cannabis defense, for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice and cannabis law reform. He currently lives and practices law in Bellingham, Washington.

Treasurer

JB is a sales leader with over 15 years of experience managing digital sales, SaaS, and programmatic teams. JB has experience in developing large-scale, customized programs for Fortune 500 brands across all categories (including automotive, cannabis, hospitality, pharmaceutical, CPG, telecom and entertainment). 

Fellow

(Georgetown University - McCourt School of Public Policy, Sept 2024 - Present)

Oginga is a development economics enthusiast currently pursuing a masters in Data Science for Public Policy at Georgetown as a McCourt Scholar. Originally from Kenya, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and agriculture from Berea College in Kentucky and a master's in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in China. Oging studied Chinese culture as a Schwarzman Scholar. He is the founder of Harmonized Enterprise for the Less-Privileged Farmers. Oginga is passionate about addressing economic development and sustainability as equally important goals in the Global South. Most importantly, Oginga is an avid hiker, passionate debater, and climate-smart farmer.

Post-Graduate Fellow

(Georgetown University - McCourt School of Public Policy, Sept 23 - Present)

Filip is a youth advocate, program management professional and researcher from North Macedonia with experience in youth networks as well as non-profit and international organizations. He has spearheaded advocacy campaigns aimed at improving the overall well-being and access to rights for young people in North Macedonia, their access to policy- and decision-making processes, and ensuring young people's voices resonate in politics. His most notable experiences are in advocacy for access and participation of Western Balkans youth in European policy. Aside from policy work, Filip enjoys travel and hiking.

Program Assistant

(Summer 24 - Present)

Isabel is a junior at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine with a double major in Anthropology and French and concentrations in Psychology and Philosophy. She spent the fall of 2025 studying abroad in Senegal. Growing up in Vermont, Isabel is passionate about environmental protection, political advocacy, and giving voices to marginalized communities. She spends her free time traveling, horseback riding, and skiing whenever there is snow.

Program Assistant

(Summer 2025 - Present)

Belén is a senior at the University of Vermont, where she studies Global and Regional Studies with a concentration in Human and Environmental Perspectives on Globalization and Community and International Development. Growing up outside of Washington, D.C., in a multicultural family and community, Belén has long been interested in how sustainable community development can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. She loves to travel — having recently returned from studying abroad and exploring Southeast Asia — and enjoys discovering new music, new restaurants, and skiing on the days she wisely kept free of classes.