Who We Are

Nature enthusiasts working to inspire stewardship of Vermont's 55 state parks through innovative education, access to parks, and equity in the outdoors.

Our Story

People who spend time outdoors are healthier and more likely to consider themselves environmentalists. Yet today’s children, particularly those in underserved and underrepresented communities, spend less time outdoors than any previous generation.

Vermont Parks Forever was founded in 2013 to enhance and protect Vermont State Parks through charitable and private support. We collaborate with Vermont residents, park visitors, businesses, community organizations, and state government to improve the parks for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

Download the 2023 Impact Report

Board of Directors

Vermont Parks Forever brings together the skill and passion of a great group of park users from across our state. Their commitment to the state parks and Vermont Parks Forever helps create better parks for all of us.

Craig Whipple,
Board Chair

Craig has spent well over four decades of his professional life helping to make sure people have access to a wide variety of high quality park lands and facilities so we can all realize the huge benefits of playing and recreating in the outdoors.

Full Bio

Justin Cutroni,
Vice Chair

Justin is a 20 year veteran of the digital advertising and marketing industry. An author of three books, he has built his career helping people grow their business using analytics and digital marketing.

Full Bio

Rachel Desautels

Rachel spends her free time outside and has a special love and appreciation for Vermont summers. Now the Executive Director or Girls on the Run Vermont, Rachel passionately helps guide the statewide nonprofit so that more girls in 3rd-8th grade can have access to GOTRVT programming in an effort to nurture their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Full Bio

Kate Eberle

Kate relocated to Vermont in 2021 from the wilds of Southern California, where she chaired the board of her local parks and open space nonprofit and served as a city parks commissioner.

Full Bio

Max Engel, Secretary

Max came to Vermont in 2017 and joined the board in 2022. He spent 11 summers attending and then working at a camp in Maine, where he developed his love of the outdoors.

Full Bio

Kevin Izzo

Kevin is a Vermont native who recently returned and is happy to experience the state's beauty again. Kevin’s career background includes time spent in research, renewable energy, and finance roles.

Full Bio

Emily Listowich

Emily Listowich is a Maine native, calling Vermont home since 2014. She currently serves as the Development Director for MENTOR Vermont, a statewide youth mentoring support agency.

Full Bio

Michael Lazorchak

Michael Lazorchak is the regulatory affairs manager for the Town of Stowe Electric Department. Working for Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Montana taught Michael that public access to open spaces is critical to fostering a land ethic in our communities.

Full Bio

Molly Rand

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Molly is originally from Connecticut, but fell in love with Vermont early on through ski trips in her youth. She was thrilled to make Vermont her home in 2021 when she moved with her husband and became the Education and Events Manager at Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

Full Bio

Gratia Rowell

Gratia is originally from Albany, a small town in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Now based in East Berkshire, Gratia can be found outside with her dogs (Gus and Hugo), biking on the nearby rail trail, and nerding out on policy and legislation.

Full Bio

Bob Wannop, Treasurer

Bob Wannop joined the VPF Board in the summer of 2021. He comes to the organization with a Finance background, currently as VP Finance at Waterbury based Ursa Major Natural Care LLC.

Full Bio

Join Our Board

Are you passionate about the outdoors and increasing access to the state park system? Then we want to meet you! Vermont Parks Forever accepts applications for new board members year-round, and applications from BIPOC, women, and members of other underrepresented communities are highly encouraged.

Learn more and apply

Our Team

Sarah Alberghini Winters,
Executive Director

Tel: 802.917.1719

Sarah Alberghini Winters became Vermont Parks Forever’s first executive director in the fall of 2014 after a career path that has encompassed the State of Vermont, Seventh Generation, and consulting in marketing and project management. Sarah grew up in Waterbury with frequent visits to state parks and a love of the outdoors. Engaging in work to enhance and protect state parks is a natural fit for her.

Sarah lives just outside Montpelier in Berlin on the Dog River with her husband, children, and goofy dog.

Colleen,
Director of Development & Communications

Tel: 802.917.2782

An outdoors lover, Colleen joined Vermont Parks Forever in 2019. She began her career in higher education development and has since worked to enhance various local non-profits, libraries, and schools.

When she’s not working to help others enjoy the outdoors, Colleen loves to hike, paddle, ski, and spend as much time as possible in Vermont’s state parks!

Jessie Krust,
Administrative & Development Assistant

Tel: 802.371.9245

Jessie joined Vermont Parks Forever in 2021 after living in South Carolina and Chicago. After nearly eight years of working in nonprofit theatre and theatre education, she decided to leave the city behind and put down roots in VT.

When she’s not working, Jessie loves to hike with her husband and toddler, try her hand at knitting, and take aerial fabric classes.