The Vermont Afghan Alliance (VAA) has announced the appointment of Ellen Yount of Starksboro as its new Executive Director, effective March 4. Yount brings more than twenty years of experience leading mission-driven organizations and working alongside refugee and vulnerable communities. Her background includes managing complex, federally funded global programs; organizing and leading fundraising initiatives; and supervising diverse, multicultural teams in the United States and overseas. Yount also brings extensive media and public affairs experience, having served as a congressional press secretary and as Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s press office in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001. Most recently, Ellen served for more than a decade as Vice President at one of the largest U.S.-based international development consulting firms, overseeing projects in more than 25 developing countries.
Yount succeeds Molly Gray, who is stepping down in early March to run for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont and will remain in the role through a brief transition period.
Gray has served as Executive Director since April 2023. Under her leadership, the organization evolved from a local, volunteer-led driving program into a professional, statewide organization now supporting more than 650 Afghans across Vermont with jobs, housing, immigration legal services and more.
“Molly has been the guiding light of the Alliance during a period of extraordinary growth,” said Jim Gelber, President of the Board of Directors. “She helped build this organization from the ground up—transforming it from a small, volunteer effort into a trusted statewide nonprofit serving hundreds of Afghan families. While we will greatly miss Molly’s leadership, we are grateful that she will support a smooth transition and we wish her every success as she seeks to continue serving Vermont.”
Gelber added, “We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have recruited Ellen Yount as Molly’s successor. Ellen brings deep experience in international development, refugee resettlement, collaboration with government agencies and nonprofits, and fundraising. We are excited to welcome her as our new leader, and she is eager to continue the Alliance’s growth—supporting Afghan refugees in Vermont and demonstrating the economic and cultural benefits Afghans bring to our state.”
Ellen brings more than twenty years of experience leading mission-driven organizations and working alongside refugee and vulnerable communities. Her background includes managing complex, federally funded global programs; organizing and leading fundraising initiatives; and supervising diverse, multicultural teams in the United States and overseas.
Ellen also brings extensive media and public affairs experience, having served as a congressional press secretary and as Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s press office in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001. Most recently, Ellen served for more than a decade as Vice President at one of the largest U.S.-based international development consulting firms, overseeing projects in more than 25 developing countries.
In addition to her professional work, Ellen brings a deep personal commitment to refugee issues from years spent working in Serbia, Croatia, and Poland, as well as frequent work travel to East Africa. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, Allegheny College, and as a board member of the Vermont Council of World Affairs and her local library in Starksboro.
“I am honored to join the Vermont Afghan Alliance, which shows compassion and care every day for Afghans rebuilding their lives in a time of great uncertainty,” said Ellen. “I am proud to be part of a community of Vermonters who have opened their hearts and homes to families who have faced hardship and upheaval. I look forward to the work ahead to ensure that the Alliance, its partners, and our local communities help create a Vermont where Afghans can build meaningful lives with dignity.”
Ellen earned her master’s degree in international affairs from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She resides in Starksboro with her husband and two children.