Headquarters Staff Profiles
Thomas Hark, Founding President
Thomas has been with the VYCC since its inception and has led the organization from five Corps Members in 1986 to over two hundred in 2007. A former Crew Leader for the Youth Conservation Corps in Young Harris, Georgia, and Camp Director for the Minnesota Conservation Corps, Thomas is recognized nationally for his vision in making VYCC one of the nation's leading youth leadership, education, and training organizations.
Currently, Thomas serves on the boards for the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), the Vermont Environmental Consortium (VEC), and SerVermont. He also serves as Treasurer for the Richmond Area Business Association. In his home town of Williston he coaches Little League T-Ball and Soccer, and is a Boy Scout Leader for Tiger Den #1.
Thomas holds a Masters of Science Degree in Experiential Education from the University of Mankato. He is the former Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps as well as a past Chair of the Catamount Trail Association, Recycle North Board, Mallets Bay Homeowners Board, and was a founding member of the Vermont Alliance of Non-Profit Organizations (VANPO). Thomas lives in Williston, Vermont, with his wife, Dana Hearn-Hark, and their three children, Eli (10), Zachary (7), and Rosie (5).
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 100
Harry Frank, Program Director
Harry Frank joined the VYCC as an internal consultant in the fall of 2006 to facilitate the Strategic Planning Initiative. His currently manages the Agriculture and Natural Resource Internship Program. In the past, he has worked with the VYCC on the design and delivery of Youth Leadership Development Retreat, Crew Leader Training, and Corps Member Orientation. Harry has a Masters Degree in Education from Saint Michaels College. Over the past twenty years he has been a classroom teacher, vocational counselor, and school administrator. He also ran crews for the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Montana, and helped SCA start the New Hampshire Conservation Corps as the Education Director. Harry continues to work as the Community Organizer for the Vermont Children's Forum now Voices for Vermont's Children focusing on youth issues, and he is the Managing Director for Camp Exclamation Point, Inc. Harry lives in Huntington, VT with his wife Enid Wonnacott and their two children Lila and Eli, and their three dogs, two horses, four sheep, five rabbits, six chickens and three ducks.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 146
Kate Villa, Director of Development
Kate Villa directs development and marketing efforts for the Corps, working to raise funds to underwrite all of our youth programs. She grew up in Chittenden County, and after almost 17 years studying and working elsewhere, she returned to Vermont in 2004. She attended Phillips Exeter Academy in NH, and graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Economics. Kate spent periods living in Italy and Costa Rica, and spent over 12 years living and working in New York City, where she worked as the Director of Development for Manhattan Country School, a progressive school that operates a working farm in the Catskills, for over five years. With experience in corporate relations at Columbia Business School, special events at the Museum of Modern Art, capital and annual campaigns at Riverdale Country School, Manhattan Country School and the Vermont Historical Society, Kate is thrilled to apply her development experience toward the stewardship of Vermont's landscape and the education of today's youth as the Director of Development for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, a position she has held since 2005. She serves on the boards of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) of Northern New England and the Water Music Project, and holds the CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) credential.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. Ext. 110
Jocelyn Haley, Director of Administration and Finance
Jocelyn Haley directs the Administrative Department managing accounting, finance, human resources, IT, and office operations and has been with the VYCC since 2000. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she graduated from Truman State University where she studied history and mathematics. A notable soccer star, she played four years of varsity collegiate soccer and was an All-American selection in 1997. In 1999, she served as Assistant Coach for the Varsity Women's Soccer Team and spent a semester studying in London, England. Jocelyn also spent several summers working as a counselor and outdoor trip leader in New Hampshire and Maryland, where she taught rock climbing, water skiing, and pottery. In December 2006, she received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Vermont.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 120
Brian Cotterill, Training and Internships Director
Brian Cotterill hails from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University where he received a Bachelors degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Study. Brian is currently pursuing a “Green” Masters in Business Administration at Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire. He was first hooked as an environmental sustainability advocate working for the United States Forest Service in the Sierra Nevada’s mountains while studying effects of logging and over-grazing on public land. Brian has led restoration projects and trail crews for the Student Conservation Association and was also a Crew Leader at the Smoky House Center in Danby, Vermont, where he taught youth career skills in a “hands-on” agriculture-based learning environment. Brian started at the VYCC in 2001 as a Field Assistant. He has held a number of positions since then including Conservation Coordinator, Operations Director, and Summer Program Director. Currently Brian is the Training and Internships Director for the VYCC where he leads the organization’s effort to usher in the next generation of forward thinking leaders by connecting students with Green and socially responsible community initiatives. He says that the most rewarding aspect of his work is connecting people with the land in a meaningful and personal way. He believes that a strong connection to the land inspires actions of stewardship that then ripple throughout our relationships, organizations, and communities. He lives with his wife Katy in Middlesex, Vermont.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 132
Patrick Kell, Grant Programs Director
Patrick Kell is from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He attended Luton University, in Bedfordshire, England, where he received a Higher National Diploma in Land Administration. From 1994-1996 Patrick attended John Moores University, in Liverpool, England, where he received a B.A. (Hons) degree in Geography. During the summer of 1994 Patrick took part in an expedition to Zimbabwe with Raleigh International, a U.K.-based conservation and youth development organization. On this expedition he worked as a crew member on a series of biodiversity projects in national parks. During 1997 he spent six months in Namibia, working as a Project Manager with Raleigh International on a rhino conservation project in Waterberg Plateau Park. Patrick has held the positions of Southern Parks Coordinator and Senior Program Coordinator from 2000 until 2004 when he became Program Manager. Most recently, Patrick moved into the VYCC Development Office, serving as our Grant Program Director. In this position, Patrick is involved in grant writing, fundraising, and event planning.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 112
Christa Finnern, Associate Program Director
Christa started working with the VYCC as a Roving Crew Leader in the summer of 2003. She graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Studio Art and Art History from St. Olaf College in her native state of Minnesota in 1999. During her college years Christa spent a great deal of time in search of adventures both at home and abroad, from rock climbing in Texas to skiing in Utah to studying Art and Classics in Italy and Greece. Christa brings to the VYCC four years of experience as a guide leading backcountry canoe, kayak, and backpacking trips in Northern Minnesota. In 2001, Christa served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Student Conservation Association program in New York's Adirondack Mountains developing and teaching environmental education and completing trail projects. In her current position, Christa provides support and direction to all VYCC programs.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 136
John Leddy, Operations Director
John Leddy started working with the VYCC in 2003 as a Community Crew Leader. Before working with the VYCC, John was a Preserve Management Assistant with the Nature Conservancy in Minnesota. He has also worked as a Team Leader with AmeriCorps NCCC in Denver, Colorado. There he led crews in the completion of education, trail building, and natural resource projects for a ten month period. John has also spent time as a high school social studies teacher. He is a graduate of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education. After three successful seasons as a Program Coordinator, John now heads up the Operations Department were he is responsible for the development and set up of projects for all of our crews, the management of our agency partnerships, and the oversight of operational logistics. John lives in Burlington with his wife, Tiffany, daughter, Adalee, and son, Ryland.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 137
Jason Buss, Finance and Technology Manager
Jason Buss originally joined the VYCC as a Corps Member in 1999. He worked his way through the ranks at Elmore State Park, serving as an Assistant Park Manager for one season and a Park Manager in 2001 and 2002. After his second season as a Park Manager, Jason ventured to the Turks and Caicos Islands to work as the Site Manager at The School for Field Studies (SFS), a position in which he was responsible for operations, accounting, and facility maintenance. After a two-year stint at SFS, Jason decided to return to Vermont. The VYCC welcomed Jason back into a new position as Program Coordinator. After two seasons supporting parks crews, Jason is currently responsible for accounting, budgeting, and other administrative tasks. He also manages VYCC's technology including the website. Jason received his B.A. in Environmental Science and Policy and a minor in Biology from the University of Southern Maine.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 134
Keegan Tierney, CCL Program Manager
Keegan grew up in Starksboro, Vermont and attended the University of Vermont where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology. When not focusing on his academic pursuits Keegan also served as the director of the University's Alternative Spring Break program, worked various construction jobs, and re-discovered his love for skiing. But, it was his interest in service that led him to the AmeriCorps NCCC program in Denver, Colorado where he worked on a variety of projects including teaching adaptive skiing and educating elementary school students at a historic farm museum. Keegan began work with the VYCC in May 2005 as the Crew Manager at Elmore State Park. He has since worked at HQ as the Facilities VISTA, Conservation and Community Leadership (CCL) Program Coordinator, and is now working as the Program Manager for the CCL program. Keegan lives in Underhill and when he is not at work you can find him on his skis or in the woods…or both. If not at either of those locations, check the local swing dance.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 141
Lisa Passerello, School Programs Manager
Lisa grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (otherwise known as the “UP”). She received her BS in Biology from the University of Michigan and an MS in Botany in the University of Vermont’s Field Naturalist Program. She joined the VYCC in 2006 as an AmeriCorps VISTA, dedicating a year of service to leading two Wilderness crews and developing the new School Program. En route to the VYCC, Lisa worked as an educator and ecologist at the Ferry Beach Ecology School, the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and at the Universities of California and Hawaii. She is passionate about learning, doing, teaching, and self-discovery, and is thrilled to weave this into her work at the VYCC. She lives in Huntington, VT, where she can usually be found following critters, raising chickens, and playing with her partner, Matt.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 143
Matthew Brantner, Youth Development Manager
Matthew Brantner hails from Wisconsin, where he earned a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. Matthew joined the VYCC in 2005 as a Crew Leader and later as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, where we worked to implement the LEAP program for youth who are blind or visually impaired. He currently manages LEAP program, as well as the Outreach and Recruitment Department at VYCC. For fun, Matthew enjoys skiing, backpacking, kayaking, and any other activity that allows him to get outside and enjoy Vermont’s natural areas year round.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 138
Kathleen Coons, Program Coordinator
Kathleen has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Michael's College in Vermont and brings her crew leading experience from the Steamboat Springs Community Youth Corps in Colorado and the Northwest Youth Corps in Eugene, Oregon, and most recently, the VYCC in 2006. As a Leader for VYCC, Kathleen led the Montpelier Community Crew and a Wilderness Crew before joining the VYCC Program Staff as a Field Assistant in the winter of 2007. She has worked as a Science Teacher with the Mount Mansfield Winter Academy and an Outdoor Educator with YMCA Camps Chingachgook and Widjiwagan. Kathleen has also worked for the Smithsonian National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center as both an Environmental Education Intern and Ecology Field Crew Intern. Kathleen was a Corps Member with VYCC in 2001. You might be able to find her tromping around the woods of Stowe in mud boots or on cross country skis!
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 147
Kristen Kozik, Development and Event Coordinator
Kristen Kozik, originally from Westfield, Massachusetts, began working with the VYCC in the summer 2005, as one of the two Burlington Community Crew Leaders. The following August, she became the Facility and Events AmeriCorps VISTA. Kristen has since completed her year of service and has transitioned into her new role as the VYCC’s Development and Event Coordinator. Kristen’s love of the outdoors is obvious through her hobbies of hiking and snowshoeing, as well as her past work experience. She has worked on the Green Mountain Club’s Long Trail Patrol and the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Professional Trail Crew. Kristen attended college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Protected Area Management. Although she enjoyed Colorado and climbing the tall peaks of the Rocky Mountains, she returned to New England in the summer of 2005.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 113
Justin Kenney, Program Coordinator
Justin Kenney grew up in the town of Somerset, Massachusetts. He first came to Vermont in 1999 as a student at the University of Vermont and quickly fell in love with the state’s unique natural resources. During the summer following his junior year, he worked as a Corps Member on the 2002 Burlington Community Crew. A year later, he graduated from UVM with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a concentration in Ecological Design. In 2004, he decided to come back to the VYCC and worked in the office as both a recruitment and administrative assistant. He later accepted a yearlong position as our Operations AmeriCorps VISTA. He now is a full-time Program Coordinator, managing our Wilderness and Roving programs. He is also developing a new leadership model, which will hit the ground in the summer of 2008.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 140
Bradley Materick, Land Stewardship Specialist
Bradley comes to us with an academic background in Natural History and Environmental Science from Stanford University and the University of Vermont’s Field Naturalist Program. After college, he worked as an Instructor for the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School for five years and has led wilderness backpacking, rafting, climbing, and mountaineering trips across the country. In 2004, Bradley walked 800 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with his adopted dog, Banner, and used the trip to raise money for shelter animals. Bradley joined the VYCC in 2007 as a Community Crew Leader and was then hired as the VYCC’s Land Stewardship Specialist. In his new role, Bradley focuses on determining how we can steward our 400 acres of land in a manner that sustainably supports the VYCC’s educational mission. His main interest is in finding ways that everyone involved with the VYCC—students, crew leaders, headquarters staff, etc.—can participate in continually exploring and learning about the incredible natural and educational resource that is our land!
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 149
Cara Butterly, Alumni Relations and Communications AmeriCorps VISTA
Cara Butterly holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Unity College in Maine focusing on Ecology and Environmental Writing. During her undergraduate time at Unity she edited and improved the college's newspaper and spent time as a waterfowl taxidermist for the school. She spent four summers working for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department as a natural resources instructor for the Green Mountain Conservation Camps. Cara grew up in Vermont and worked as a corps member on three VYCC crews.
She spent this last year as an AmeriCorps member serving as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Instructor at the VYCC for a new alternative education program. Cara recently joined the development staff at the headquarters office and will be serving as the Alumni Relations and Communications AmeriCorps VISTA this next year. When not at the West Monitor Barn you're most likely to find her fly fishing in Vermont streams or hiking in the Green Mountains with her dogs!
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 144
Matthew Nicholson, LEAP AmeriCorps VISTA
Matthew is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and recently arrived in Vermont after spending two years in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest expanded his appreciation for nature and developed a growing passion to make that experience available to others. He has a diverse history of customer service positions and coupled with an early entrepreneurial venture, his experience speaks to the power of the VYCC mission of "taking personal responsibility for one's actions" and is eager to communicate that message to youth. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Matthew will continue the development of the LEAP program for youth who are blind or visually impaired. He will also work to develop the first LEAP Inclusive Crew, where youth with visual impairments and sighted youth will work side by side on high priority conservation projects. In addition, Matthew will work in the Youth Development department where he will focus his efforts on Field Staff and Corps Member outreach.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 139
Katherine Buell, Operations Field Assistant AmeriCorps VISTA
Katherine hails from Western Massachusetts, and holds a degree in Psychology from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She came to the VYCC in 2004 after a season with the Massachusetts Audubon Society environmental camp, Wildwood. Katherine was a Roving Crew Leader for two seasons, including a session as the USFS Parks Roving Crew Leader at Moosalamoo, and was a member of the first Fall Leadership Crew in 2005. Katherine then took some time away from the VYCC and moved to Seattle to continue on her path of crew supervision at EarthCorps, where her crews specialized in environmental restoration. She also gained experience in Washington as a Trail Crew Supervisor with the Department of Natural Resources, working with the Mountains-To-Sound-Greenway Trust. Currently, she has returned to the VYCC and her beloved Vermont to take on the challenges of the Operations Field Assistant AmeriCorps VISTA. In this role, she will be developing work projects for crews, supporting the Summer Field Program and working to enhance the VYCC facilities. Katherine loves to be outdoors, and completed the 300-mile Long Trail in 2004, but you can also find her knitting, baking and playing with her kitten, Bridget.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 135
Lindsay Arbuckle, Farm and Nursery AmeriCorps VISTA
Lindsay is a native of rural Kansas, but left the prairies long ago to live in rainy Seattle. While studying Political Science at the University of Washington, she worked as an intern at Lettuce Link, an organization that connects community gardens to food banks in an effort to provide low-income families with delicious and nutritious food. After graduating, Lindsay spent some time traveling in South America before ending up in beautiful New England. She worked for three terms as a Naturalist at Ferry Beach Ecology School in Maine and spent last summer gardening at Smokey House Center in Danby, VT. When she is not working with the CTE crew to start a vegetable garden and native plant nursery, Lindsay might be found singing and playing the mandolin or searching for the best swimming holes in Vermont. The VYCC is excited to welcome Lindsay to the team and looking forward to putting her experiences and talents to work.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 142
Erin Seward, School Program Instructor
Erin is originally from Wallingford, Vermont and is a past Corps Member from the 1997 and 1998 seasons. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Education from Warren Wilson College located in Asheville, North Carolina. During her time at Warren Wilson she worked on the college’s Natural Resources Crew, helping to manage over 600 acres of forest. She also volunteered with the local Buncombe County Forest Service and a local food bank. Erin has worked as an Assistant Park Ranger at Green River Reservoir State Park, been an intern with the Student Conservation Association at North Cascades National Park, and she has also worked for the Forest Service in Colorado as a Forestry Technician. Even though she has left Vermont several times to explore, she always seems to find her way back. Most recently she has worked at Paquette Full of Posies Nursery until making it full circle back to the VYCC. Erin joined the VYCC as an instructor for the School Program and to continue building and implementing the framework for the Farm and Nursery at the West Monitor Barn.
(802) 434 – 3969 Ext. 133
Zachary Gilhooley, School Program Instructor
Zachary hails from Chicago, Illinois, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at the University of Redlands in Southern California. Zachary has been working in the outdoor education field for six years. Zachary started his own outdoor adventure program for youth in the north woods of Wisconsin and Minnesota in 2001. Additionally, Zachary has worked at various camps and outdoor environmental education programs such as the W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center in Rhode Island, Boojum Institute in California, Wilderness Ventures in Wyoming, Camp Timberlane in Wisconsin, Camp Beech Cliff in Maine, and Visions Service Adventures in Pennsylvania. His most recent involvement with youth was in the classroom of Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor, Maine. There he worked in the Life Skills classroom with students who had various learning needs. Zachary also finished his elementary teaching certification in Maine and spent his student teaching experience in a fourth grade class. While working at the VYCC Zachary will combine his teaching and learning experiences to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program.
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 145
Sarah Hays, School Program Instructor
Sarah hails originally from the big state of Texas, but relocated to attend the University of Vermont where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies in 2005. While completing the Rocky Mountain NOLS semester course in the spring of 2001, Sarah gained more of an appreciation for the environment that surrounds us all. Sarah's professional experiences run the gamut from finger-painting with preschoolers to building stone walls, trails, bridges and community. She has led a variety of crews with VYCC, including the Montpelier Community crew in 2006, the Center for Technology – Essex (CTE) crew in spring 2007, and the Moosalamoo Roving crew in 2007. She currently co-instructs the Mount Mansfield Union High School crew in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program. After the work day you can find Sarah outdoor somewhere hiking, biking, snowboarding, or attempting to throw a line to go fishing - she is an avid outdoorswoman!
(802) 434 3969 Ext. 148
Calley Hastings, School Program Instructor
Calley grew up in Brookfield, VT. She spent her childhood resenting her parents for making her work in the garden and go on hikes, but later on in life she came around and realized her passion for the outdoors. Calley spent time living in Brazil and studied Portuguese and Brazilian Studies at Smith College. She transferred to The University of Vermont to study Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture with a focus in Education. Recently, she has worked at an environmental non-profit in Brazil, interned as an environmental and agricultural educator at Shelburne Farms and worked with VPIRG and MassPIRG. She has spent most of her free time in the past few years helping her family start a small scale diversified farm that focuses on goat, pig, chicken, sheep, fruit and vegetable production. Calley is now one of the 2007-2008 instructors for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program at Lamoille Union High School.
(802) 888 4261 ext. 1372
Rebecca Francisco, Youth and Agriculture Instructor
Rebecca Francisco is a native of New York State where she attended Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY. She graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Ethics in 2005. While attending Cornell she spent a semester exploring New Zealand and studying Landscape Ecology. In the past she has worked with youth as a camp counselor, a life guard and swim instructor, as well a teacher's aide and after school teacher. She started with VYCC as a Crew Leader in the summer of 2007 leading crews in trail building projects and aquatic invasive removal. She continued on as an Instructor at Lamoille Union High School in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program. This year she will co-instruct a group of students in place-based and work based learning projects.
(802) 888 4261 ext. 1372
Don Bicknell, Volunteer Extraordinaire
Don Bicknell is a retired Waterbury senior with 5 years of volunteer work for the VYCC. Don grew up in Bellows Falls, VT and worked for IBM, the VT Sheltered Workshop from 1957-1971, and the State of Vermont's Waterbury offices from 1972-1995. Don is truly invaluable to the organization. He takes on projects that enable numerous outreach and communications efforts. Don is also essential to office conservation allowing the reuse of numerous supplies. He volunteers whenever asked and is known for staying until the job is done! Don has one of the best attitudes in the world; he keeps us all smiling. Outside of the VYCC Don is very involved in the community. He volunteers at the State Hospital library three days a week, is active in the Waterbury Grange, the Waterbury Historical Society, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Council on Aging in the town of Waterbury. When you come to our headquarters office make sure to meet the man who deserves the title Volunteer Extraordinaire.
Teesa, Office Pooch
Teesa is a big, fluffy, slightly skittish Bernese Mountain dog who comes to the office each day to quietly sleep in the corner of Jocelyn's office. She was born on January 15, 2002 in Montgomery, Vermont and found her home in Central Vermont in March of that same year. Her favorite pastimes include romping in the snow, sniffing stuff, and following mountain bikers through the woods. Her major goals in life include provoking as many people as possible to pet her and figuring out what “roll over” means.
Gifford, Office Pooch
Gifford is the tiniest of the office pooches but don't let that fool you, he's full of spunk! Despite his Tibetan ancestors, this Lhasa apso was born in Perkinsville on May 23, 2005 but now resides in Waterbury. He comes to the office each day to do a myriad of doggish-yoga poses in between napping and greeting visitors. When not at the barn you're most likely to find him hiking to Vermont's highest peaks or biting the ears of his fur-sister, Zoe.
Max, Office Pooch
Max is a lovable, curly-tailed 5 year old dog whose ancestors come from a variety of dog breeds. He was rescued from North Country Animal League in June of 2007 and is adjusting quite wonderfully to his cush new life spent tromping the woods of Stowe and all of the Northeast. Max roams from sun-spots to secret hiding places under desks during the day and brightens visitors hearts with a quick waggle of his tail. Though he presents a serious disposition, once you get him on the trail, the inner puppy shines through and hell never let you turn back to go home!
Shanti, Office Pooch
Shanti is a part Rhodesian Ridgeback cross-breed who was born on the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica, where she met Kate at a Farmers Market at the tender age of three weeks. After four months together in Costa Rica, Shanti followed Kate back to the US, where she quickly adjusted to her favorite phenomenon: SNOW! Shanti loves any game that involves tennis balls, playing keep-away with the interns from the school crews, chasing squirrels, hiking, and swimming, but actually spends most of her time hanging out in the office or in the car while Kate attends meetings.