Bios
Diane Bahrenburg, who lives in North Hero, has been the chairperson of the CIFS board of directors since its inception. She is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity in the Champlain Islands and working with others to strengthen our community.
I am a 30 + year resident of Grand Isle, where I live with my husband John. We raised two children in Grand Island and both children attended Grand Isle School.
In 2020, I retired after 40 years as an Early Childhood Special Educator/Pre-K teacher in Essex Junction.
I have been fortunate to volunteer at the Champlain Islands Food Shelf (CIFS)since 2020. First under the guidance of Judy and Bob Ayers. I truly enjoy getting to know and see the customers at the CIFS each time I volunteer.
I am also fortunate to serve on the CIFS Board, working with other Champlain Island Residents and Community partners to ensure that the CIFS continues to provide for our Island neighbors.
The dedication of those in our community to support our neighbors continues to inspire me!
Laurie Redell (Secretary and "acting" Market Manager)
Former logistics manager in Commodities, have been freelancing as a bookkeeper for the last 20 years, helping small business owners keep track of their finances.
Started coming every year to the islands in 2005, loved it so much that we bought a home in 2018.
I am happy to be handling the books of CIFS, an amazing and growing organization that helps many families on the islands.
Feel free to talk to me in French, German, Italian or English, having lived half my life in Europe.
You might see me around the islands walking with Tom, my husband and cairn terrier, Basil.
Bettina Speyer (treasurer)
Josie Leavitt is the State Representative for the Grand Isle-Chittenden district. The local issue of food insecurity has deeply moved Josie to become a volunteer and Board member of the Champlain Islands Food Shelf. Josie is also on the Grand Isle Select Board. She is the book manager at Hero's Welcome as well being one of the founders of the Flying Pig Bookstore. In her spare time, Josie is a stand up comic and storyteller.
Alisha Utter grew up in New York's Hudson Valley, eventually moving to California to earn a degree in Environmental Policy/Marine Science from UC San Diego. Today she lives and farms in Grand Isle, VT where she grows vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers at Arbor Farmstead. She also operates Arbor Farm Market in South Hero, a shop specializing in local produce and Vermont products. Alisha is in her final stretch of her PhD at UVM in the Plant and Soil Science Department. She serves on various agricultural boards, including the Working Lands Enterprise Board and the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association. Alisha is passionate about food access and is looking forward to joining the Champlain Islands Food Shelf board. In her free time, you can find her wildcrafting, hiking with her rescue dogs, or cooking.
Hello Champlain Islands Community!
My name is Whitney Doremus and I am so grateful to be the manager of the Champlain Islands Food Shelf. I live in South Hero with my spouse Shannon Lowe and my kiddos, Charley and Jude. Shannon and I moved to South Hero from Colchester in 2020, when Charley was just two weeks old, because we wanted to raise our family in this very special place. I have spent over two decades working with dogs and their people and running multiple dog-related businesses in various states. Through losing my business during covid, I have found the joy in keeping things simple, and focusing on my family and my community. I look forward to getting to know each person that is connected the Champlain Islands Food Shelf.