Walker joined the Smokey House team in the winter of 2022 as the first Program Director for the Living Lab and now serves as a member of the Leadership Team as the organization’s Program Director.  He received his BA in botany and environmental studies from Connecticut College before receiving his MF from the Yale School of the Environment. His research and work has focused on multi-use forestry, sustainable development of non-timber forest product industries, implementation of agroforestry systems, and place-based education. He is passionate about fostering a deeper connection between people and place and loves to support youth to develop into the leaders our world so badly needs. 

Mara joined the Smokey House team as the Office Administrator and Bookkeeper and now serves as a member of the Leadership Team in the role of the Finance Director.  She has a BS in Diversified Agricultural Sciences with a focus on entrepreneurial finance management from the University of Vermont. She has worked as an independent bookkeeper for local businesses since 2017. She loves helping small businesses succeed in their own passions.  She grew up in Southern Vermont. Mara and her partner also operate their own farm, Levy Lamb, raising grass-fed lamb. She is committed to farming as a climate solution.

Danielle joined Smokey House as Communications Director in 2022 and now serves as a member of the Leadership Team as the Communications and Development Director. She has a BS in Communications from Ohio University and a certificate in Digital Media Marketing from UVM as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Management. She has worked in film and TV in Los Angeles, for corporate media in Ohio and as an independent marketing contractor in Vermont. She is passionate about sharing clients stories with their audiences and connecting people digitally to share ideas.

Scott joined Smokey House with a range of property management and construction experience and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Scott ran his own property management company in Mass. and Rhode Island. He studied wildlife conservation biology at the University of Rhode Island. Scott served for many years on the board of Revive the Roots in Smithfield, RI, working closely with others to develop a robust educational permaculture site. Scott lives in Danby with his wife and dogs in a house he’s working on.

Ben Holmes joined Smokey House in the spring of 2022 to lead the transition to the next phase of Smokey House Center’s planning and operations as the Interim Executive Director and now serves as an Advisor to the organization.

Ben spent over 30 years founding and elevating The Farm School, a vibrant non-profit that has connected tens of thousands of people to the land. During his tenure, Ben fostered the development of new perspectives and leadership, turning the organization over completely to the next generation in the fall of 2021.

Lauren joins the Smokey House team after serving the community as a Kindergarten teacher at the Mettawee Community School in nearby Pawlet, VT.  She earned her BA in Early Childhood Education in 1998 and has been an educator ever since.  After many dedicated years working in the public school system and an inspired field trip to the Smokey House Center, Lauren’s career path has pivoted toward place-based / outdoor education.  She is deeply connected to the natural world and is passionate about sharing that love with her students.  Lauren believes that when a student has a meaningful relationship to their place, that they will work to create a more sustainable future.