Howard Center’s Board of Trustees elected new trustees, officers, and several current trustees to new three-year terms at its recent annual meeting.
Kelly Deforge has been re-elected as president, Michael Couture will serve as vice president, John McSoley will continue as treasurer, and Heather Blackman has stepped into the role of secretary.
Returning board members Kathy Connolly, Michael Couture, and Mat Robitaille have been re-elected for additional three-year terms. Joining the board are five new trustees who bring a wide range of professional expertise and interest in service to our community.
- Joshua Barlow, a Burlington resident who has spent over a decade advancing mental health outreach and career support initiatives.
- Senator Thomas Chittenden, a Vermont State Senator and South Burlington resident, brings deep-rooted community leadership and extensive public service experience.
- Al Gobeille, a Shelburne resident, local business owner, US Army Veteran, and former Vermont Secretary of Human Services, has a distinguished record of leading innovative healthcare initiatives.
- Stephanie Judkins, a Colchester resident and respected banking professional, is dedicated to fostering community mentorship and talent development.
- Karen Tyler, a Burlington resident, is an accomplished legal expert who specializes in nonprofit governance and healthcare compliance.
As part of this transition, the board expresses deep gratitude to outgoing members Andrew Collier, Meg O’Donnell, Ann Pugh, and Cyndee Cochrane Sturtevant for their many contributions and service during their board tenure.
Howard Center’s board represents the community it serves, combining lived experience and professional expertise, to advance the organization’s mission by guiding its strategic direction, ensuring fiscal health, and acting as ambassadors for its work.
To see photos and read full bios of board members, visit howardcenter.org/about-us/leadership-board.
Howard Center helps people and communities thrive by providing supports and services to address mental health, substance use, and developmental needs. To access services, call 802-488-6000.
For more information, please contact pdetzer@howardcenter.org.