Mercy Connections has been nurturing self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, entrepreneurship and community since it was founded in 2001.
John H. Crabbe Jr., Chair of the Mercy Connections board, announces six new board members: Dawn Ellinwood, Yael Friedman, Chrystie Heimert, Rosa Laboy-Hernandez, Bobbe Maynes and Larry Michaels. We are grateful for this talented and diverse group of individuals who will have great impact on our work and mission individually and collectively as they join our existing board.
Dawn is currently the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at St. Michael’s College. She has held this position since July of 2012. Prior to St. Michael’s, Dawn worked at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts and College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts in a similar capacity. Dawn has a Doctor of Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as well of two Master’s Degrees and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. Dawn volunteers at style='orphans: auto;text-align:start;widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;word-spacing:0px' alt="Yael headshot" class=CToWUd v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"> Holy Family/St. Lawrence Parish as a Religious Educator and serves on the Fire/Rescue Board at St. Michael’s College. Dawn lives in Williston with her family.
Yael Friedman works for the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Foundation as a Major Gift Officer and has been in this position since 2011. Yael is active in the Burlington community, serving on the board of Spectrum Youth & Family Services since 2006, multiple United Way of Chittenden County committees including the Women’s Leadership Council’s Steering Committee. She and her husband and their two sons live in Williston.
Yael brings great enthusiasm, “I am delighted and humbled to be asked to serve on the Mercy Connections Board!”
Chrystie Heimert’s PR career has spanned more than 25 years and taken her from Manhattan to Montana, the Arizona desert to the Maryland seaside and now to the green mountains of Vermont, where she currently manages media relations and integrated consumer engagement for nice brands intent on doing nice things to make the world a better place. She's honed her passion for authentic brands, real characters and strong commitments as Director of Public E-Lations for ice cream icon Ben & Jerry's and more recently as Chief Storyteller for the nation's #1 Green Brand, Seventh Generation. Chrystie and her family live in Burlington.
Rosa Laboy Hernandez is currently the Director of Human Resources for Talent Management at the University of Vermont Medical Center. She was formally the founder and CEO of Learning Interventions for Talent (LIfT), a consulting firm focusing on learning, leadership and organizational development strategies. She possesses over 12 years’ experience as an Executive Coach and over 20 years as a Learning and Leadership Development Executive. Rosa is dedicated to the concept that continuous learning is both a business and a life tool. As a alt="Bobbe Maynes Professional Headshot Black Outfit" class=CToWUd v:shapes="_x0000_s1027">strategic, visionary thinker, she has a passion for inspiring people to optimize their full potential. Rosa has served on various Boards for several not for profit organizations and is delighted to join the Mercy Connections board of directors here in Vermont.
Named in May of 2015 as one of five "Rookie All Stars of the Year" by the Northwest Vermont Board of Realtors, Bobbe Maynes is a known community leader and marketing/communications expert. She brings that experience to her work with home buyers and sellers. The former Director of Communications for United Way of Chittenden County, she also served as Vermont’s first Commissioner of Tourism & Marketing and was the founder/co-owner of two local inns. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Burlington Business Association where she co-chairs the Governance Committee and is the current President of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Patient Support Foundation. She and her husband Robert live in South Burlington, have four grown children and seven grandchildren, and are avid boaters.
Larry Michaels volunteers on the South Burlington Natural Resources Committee and is a volunteer corporater with North Field Savings Bank. He also chairs the South Burlington Business Association. Larry and his wife Gretchen along with their pets live in a funky house in the Queen City Park neighborhood of South Burlington. In his free time he enjoys bicycling, hiking, skiing, sailing, and photography.
Mercy Connections is an educational values-driven non-profit organization living the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. By compassionately nurturing self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, entrepreneurship and community, people are empowered to make significant life changes.