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Mission &
Vision
Our Team
Photo: Gowri Savoor
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BOARD of DIRECTORS | NETAC LEADERSHIP TEAM | SUPPORT STAFF
STAFF
Click an image for bio and contact info.
Eric Booth
ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Eric is widely referred to as one of the nation’s best teachers of creativity, and the father of the teaching artist profession. In 2015 he was awarded the nation's highest honor for an arts educator (the Arts Education Leadership Award by Americans For The Arts), and was named one of the 25 most important people in the U.S. arts. In arts learning, he has taught at Juilliard (13 years), Stanford University, NYU, Tanglewood and Lincoln Center Institute (35 years), and The Kennedy Center (12 years). He is the founder and co-designer of the International Teaching Artist Conferences, the recipient of the first honorary doctorate in teaching artistry (New England Conservatory), and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO's first world arts education conference.
eeebbb@aol.com
Eric is widely referred to as one of the nation’s best teachers of creativity, and the father of the teaching artist profession. In 2015 he was awarded the nation's highest honor for an arts educator (the Arts Education Leadership Award by Americans For The Arts), and was named one of the 25 most important people in the U.S. arts. In arts learning, he has taught at Juilliard (13 years), Stanford University, NYU, Tanglewood and Lincoln Center Institute (35 years), and The Kennedy Center (12 years). He is the founder and co-designer of the International Teaching Artist Conferences, the recipient of the first honorary doctorate in teaching artistry (New England Conservatory), and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO's first world arts education conference.
eeebbb@aol.com
Paul Gambill
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Paul brings 30 years experience as an arts administrator, musician and educator to his role as Executive Director of the Community Engagement Lab. His innovative community-engaged projects have been GRAMMY nominated, featured as models of best practice at national conventions, and received national awards for children's media, including the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award. He has founded three non-profit arts organizations which have attracted regional and national funding and programming awards. Before relocating with his family to Vermont in 2009, he was founder and music director of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra for 20 years, and music director of the Nashville Ballet for six years.
paul@communityengagemnetlab.org
802-595-0087
Paul brings 30 years experience as an arts administrator, musician and educator to his role as Executive Director of the Community Engagement Lab. His innovative community-engaged projects have been GRAMMY nominated, featured as models of best practice at national conventions, and received national awards for children's media, including the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award. He has founded three non-profit arts organizations which have attracted regional and national funding and programming awards. Before relocating with his family to Vermont in 2009, he was founder and music director of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra for 20 years, and music director of the Nashville Ballet for six years.
paul@communityengagemnetlab.org
802-595-0087
Susan Hennessey
PROJECT DESIGN LAB FACULTY
Susan brings with her years of experience helping educators enact student-centered pedagogies in Vermont. In addition to her work with CEL, she serves as the program lead and teaches courses in UVM's Educational Technology Online sequence, and co-directs UVM's Learning Lab, a network for educators to engage in action research with their students. Through her work as a district-wide technology integration coach and ten year experience as a professional development coordinator at the Tarrant Institute of Innovative Education at UVM, Susan designs professional development experiences that model best practices in teaching and assessment. She worked at Harwood Union High School as the English department chair as well as the Library Media Specialist. In 2007, she won the Milken Educator Award for Vermont.
sthennes@gmail.com
Susan brings with her years of experience helping educators enact student-centered pedagogies in Vermont. In addition to her work with CEL, she serves as the program lead and teaches courses in UVM's Educational Technology Online sequence, and co-directs UVM's Learning Lab, a network for educators to engage in action research with their students. Through her work as a district-wide technology integration coach and ten year experience as a professional development coordinator at the Tarrant Institute of Innovative Education at UVM, Susan designs professional development experiences that model best practices in teaching and assessment. She worked at Harwood Union High School as the English department chair as well as the Library Media Specialist. In 2007, she won the Milken Educator Award for Vermont.
sthennes@gmail.com
Ashley Hensel-Browning
STAFF TEACHING ARTIST
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Naomi Kro
BUSINESS MANAGER
Naomi has a decade of bookkeeping and financial management experience with Vermont businesses and nonprofits. Following professionally in her mother’s footsteps, Naomi began her bookkeeping career while still in high school. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, California with a B.A. in Economics, she specialized in accounting work for nonprofits and fiduciary attorneys. As owner of Even Keel Bookkeeping, she leads a team of consultants that support a wide variety Vermont businesses and non-profit organizations.
naomi@evenkeelvt.com
Naomi has a decade of bookkeeping and financial management experience with Vermont businesses and nonprofits. Following professionally in her mother’s footsteps, Naomi began her bookkeeping career while still in high school. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, California with a B.A. in Economics, she specialized in accounting work for nonprofits and fiduciary attorneys. As owner of Even Keel Bookkeeping, she leads a team of consultants that support a wide variety Vermont businesses and non-profit organizations.
naomi@evenkeelvt.com
Erin Maile O'Keefe
STAFF TEACHING ARTIST
Erin Maile O’Keefe is a grateful settler on the indigenous lands of the Sokoki Abenaki in Southern Vermont. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Erin Maile is supported and nourished by her Hawaiian ancestry, culture and continued mentorship from her elders. As an educator, trainer and community artist/activator, she has developed kinesthetic, multigenerational curriculums that facilitate group inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Erin’s background in dance, theater and architecture has made the crafting of temporal spaces and community arts engagement at the core of much of her work.
maile@humanconnectionproject.com
Erin Maile O’Keefe is a grateful settler on the indigenous lands of the Sokoki Abenaki in Southern Vermont. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Erin Maile is supported and nourished by her Hawaiian ancestry, culture and continued mentorship from her elders. As an educator, trainer and community artist/activator, she has developed kinesthetic, multigenerational curriculums that facilitate group inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Erin’s background in dance, theater and architecture has made the crafting of temporal spaces and community arts engagement at the core of much of her work.
maile@humanconnectionproject.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board
Bob Hannum - President
Owner
Arts Management Services, LLC
Rob Hubbard - Secretary Treasurer
Chief Staff Attorney
Vermont Superior Court
Kelly Mancini Becker
Instructional Designer, Larner College of Medicine, and Adjunct Faculty, College of Education and Social Services
University of Vermont
Eric Booth - ex officio
Engagement Director & Co-Founder
Lisa Bressler
Art Specialist
Vermont Agency of Education
Paul Gambill - ex officio
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Andrew Homan
Trial Court Staff Attorney
Vermont Judiciary
Jesse Jacobs
Portfolio Manager
Overlake Park, LLC
Natalie Searle
Director of Secondary School Initiatives
Community College of Vermont
Adam Sargent
History and Civics Teacher
Harwood Union High School
New England Teaching Artist Collaborative
LEADERSHIP TEAM
NETAC
Click an image for bio and contact info.
Anne Campbell
Anne serves as Co-Chair of NETAC's Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Network Building Working Group. She is the Education Director at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, a position she has held since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Smith College and a master’s degree in community education from Goddard College, Anne has spent more than 30 years in the nonprofit realm, primarily in the arts, education, and community development. She plays percussion in the all-female ensemble, Shebang, and dances whenever she can.
Lenea Collins
Lanea serves as Co-chair of NETAC's Communications Working Group. She is the Creative Director of The Teaching Artist Hub, based in Middletown, CT, where she acts on her passion for mentorship and collaboration in the arts by connecting and providing spaces for teaching artists. She is a Goodwin College award winning poet of “American Baby,” and is the writer, speaker and author of “My Heart Is Art,” a foundation of workshops, youth services and speaking engagements that promote creative healing for the inner soul.
Lanea has appeared in theater performing in “For Colored Girls” and “Daisies On Harlem’s Doorstep” for CT Theater Company and Vintage Soul Productions, as well as “Expression Through Color” at the Jamaican Performing Arts Center in Queens,NY, which was written and produced by her. Along with writing and directing her very own “Agape” with Oddfellows Playhouse Theater, Lanea has created many workshops including Play + Write = Playwright, Culture Couture, and Life Through Colors. For the last five years she has been a teaching artist for grades K-12 and after school programs working in both school and community settings.
As a certified arts trainer in the principles of nonviolence through the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, Lanea has a passion for social justice and the arts and continues to share her gifts in all spaces.
Lanea has appeared in theater performing in “For Colored Girls” and “Daisies On Harlem’s Doorstep” for CT Theater Company and Vintage Soul Productions, as well as “Expression Through Color” at the Jamaican Performing Arts Center in Queens,NY, which was written and produced by her. Along with writing and directing her very own “Agape” with Oddfellows Playhouse Theater, Lanea has created many workshops including Play + Write = Playwright, Culture Couture, and Life Through Colors. For the last five years she has been a teaching artist for grades K-12 and after school programs working in both school and community settings.
As a certified arts trainer in the principles of nonviolence through the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, Lanea has a passion for social justice and the arts and continues to share her gifts in all spaces.
Corey DePina
Corey serves as Co-Chair of the NETAC's Steering Committee. and Co-Chair of the Professional Learning Working Group. He is the Program Director at ZUMIX, in Boston. Corey brings to NETAC expertise in professional learning for teaching artists, program design and implementation, and strategic planning. He is an accomplished rapper, a skilled workshop and program facilitator, and a longtime participant in ZUMIX programs. He has done workshops on the history of hip-hop, creative writing and performance at numerous city-wide agencies. Corey was influential in helping ZUMIX develop its award-winning curriculum, which was nationally recognized by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in 2011. In 2015, Corey completed The Institute for Nonprofit Management certificate program at Boston University. In 2019, he was a recipient of the 2019 Institute for Nonprofit Management Change Maker Award.
Randall Nielsen
Randall serves as Co-Chair of NETAC's Professional Learning Working Group. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Queerlective, in Manchester, NH. In his work with Queerlective he fosters inclusive spaces for Queer, BIPOC, and underserved communities through the arts. He has been chosen as a National Arts Strategies Fellow, a Western States Arts Federation Leaders of Color Fellow, and a NEFA Arts Leaders of Color Fellow. He serves as an Arts Commissioner for the City of Manchester. Through his passion for community development and inclusivity, Randall is driven to merge diverse ideas for impactful change. His journey reflects his aspiration to unite creativity, equity, and community growth.
Hannah Ross
Hannah serves as Co-Chair of NETA's Network Building Working Group. She is the Assistant Director for Community Engagement at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, where she cultivates joyful musical experiences and education opportunities for thousands of youth throughout Rhode Island and the New England region. Hannah is devoted to sharing her passion for music with young people from under-resourced communities and connecting students to their inner spirit through creative expression. Her work includes directing the Community Engagement department, supervising the staff and operations for Victoria’s Dream Project, a free after-school strings program at two elementary sites in Pawtucket, RI and overseeing the production of Link Up, a music literacy curriculum and participatory concert series designed by Carnegie Hall for 3rd-5th graders. In addition, Hannah represents the Education Department on the Music Director Search Committee for the RI Phil’s current music director search.
Hannah also has extensive performance experience as a classically trained violist. Hannah earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Viola Performance from The Juilliard School, where she also developed and co-directed a student-led performing arts initiative to Arusha, Tanzania for five summers.
Hannah is a current member of Cohort 6 of Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, & Diversity), a current member of Cohort 3 of the RI Black Business Association’s Emerging Leaders Development Program, and a proud graduate of the RI Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative.
Hannah also has extensive performance experience as a classically trained violist. Hannah earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Viola Performance from The Juilliard School, where she also developed and co-directed a student-led performing arts initiative to Arusha, Tanzania for five summers.
Hannah is a current member of Cohort 6 of Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, & Diversity), a current member of Cohort 3 of the RI Black Business Association’s Emerging Leaders Development Program, and a proud graduate of the RI Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative.
Beth Wilber Van Mierlo
Beth serves as Co-Chair of the NETAC's Professional Learning Working Group. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Side x Side in Portland, Maine. Beth is an artist and an educator. She has dedicated her professional and adult life to promoting the importance of art and education. Beth has had the opportunity to work with a variety of community organizations facilitating insightful and productive connections through the arts. Over a decade ago, Beth founded Oak Street Studios, A Young People’s Art Institute, where she serves as director, curriculum developer, and instructor. In the spring of 2013, she co-founded Side x Side. Beth holds a BFA in sculpture and drawing from the University of Southern Maine. She lives with her husband and three children in Portland.
SUPPORT STAFF
Support Staff
Jasper Padfoot Worbill
Jasper joined the Lab team as a support specialist in October 2019. He arrived with a long pedigree of success at providing insightful and nurturing counsel. Jasper specializes at inspiring thoughtful, empathetic listening among the individuals and teams he works with. He is also well known for inspiring clear minds and bold thinking among his co-workers, especially during NPW sessions (Nature Planning Walks). He holds top credentials with, among others, the AKC, GATB (Goldens Are The Best), and BFF (Best Friends Forever).
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