Three experienced community leaders join Vermont Chapter as board members
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross Northern New England Region is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark Levine, Elise Polli and Ryan Rothstein as new board members to the Vermont Chapter headquartered in Burlington. Red Cross board members represent a cross section of corporate and community leaders and typically serve one to three-year terms, in an advisory capacity.
“We are delighted that these accomplished leaders are bringing their expertise, experience and excitement to the American Red Cross. Mark, Elise and Ryan will be wonderful advocates and ambassadors for our mission,” said Sarah Lemnah, executive director of the Vermont Chapter of the Red Cross.
Dr. Mark Levine was appointed commissioner of health by Governor Phil Scott on March 6, 2017, and served for eight years, until April 2025. Prior to his appointment he was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, and most recently the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official at the College of Medicine and the UVM Medical Center. He maintains his faculty appointment and continues to actively teach. At the nexus of Dr. Levine’s clinical, education, public health and advocacy efforts is his heightened interest in improving health at the population level through health policy directed at fostering a culture of health.
Elise Polli is the owner and realtor for Polli Properties in Williston, Vermont. Originally from Ohio, Elise started her Vermont real estate career in 2013 at Keller Williams VT. She then went on to form her own team in 2017. In 2022, Elise and her team left the brokerage at KW Vermont to form their own, Polli Properties. Elise holds a Communications Degree from Miami University and a master’s degree in Recreation Management from Ohio University. Her passion for real estate is what has driven her success as a leader, realtor, and client care aficionado.
Ryan Rothstein is the President and General Manager of WPTZ NBC5 and WNNE, part of Hearst Television, serving the Burlington/Plattsburgh area. Beyond his work at NBC5, Ryan is deeply engaged in industry and community leadership. He is currently the Vice President of the Vermont Association of Broadcasters and serves on the board of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, the advisory board of CV-Tech, and now the Vermont Chapter of the American Red Cross. His commitment to service and workforce development reflects his belief in the power of local media to inform, connect, and strengthen communities.
In FY25, the Red Cross responded to 110 local disasters across the state, assisting 685 Vermonters. The team installed 280 free smoke alarms throughout the state and enrolled 4,200 people in First Aid, CPR and AED training. The Red Cross provided 200 services to military members, veterans and their families and collected more than 30,500 lifesaving blood products in Vermont. The Red Cross is supported by 285 Vermont volunteers who log about 30,000 hours annually in service to their community.
The American Red Cross of Northern New England serves more than 3.2 million people throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The region covers 40 counties and 49,083 square miles. Our more than 1,600 dedicated volunteers deliver our humanitarian mission with the support of a small group of employees.
As a community-based, humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross provides free emergency assistance shelter, food, clothing and emotional support to people affected by disasters. We empower families and communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies every day.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 13, 2026 — American Red Cross Northern New England Region
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