Our Team
Meet our people, from staff to volunteers!
Staff
"During my tenure in the VT General Assembly serving on the Commerce and Economic Development committee, we heard over and over again that the continued growth of Vermont’s economy depends on creating more housing. It is an honor to be working for an organization that not only supports the Vermont economy but also serves income-sensitive Vermonters."
Executive Director
Zachariah Watson
Zachariah was hired in October 2020 after moving to Montpelier from Hartland, Vermont. He is a lifelong Vermonter, coming to CVHFH with 10 years of non-profit experience. He was also a member of Vermont House of Representatives, having served on the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee before deciding not to run for re-election when he married and moved out of his legislative district.
Zach@CentralVermontHabitat.org
802-522-8611
"Vermont's shortage of affordable housing forces many families who want to build their lives here to look elsewhere. Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity is changing that by partnering with families to create safe, energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes where they can put down roots and thrive. I'm thrilled to be part of that mission. "
Director of Development
Diane DeBella
Diane has spent her career in both the nonprofit sector and academia. She has over twenty years of grant writing and development experience and enjoys the mission driven work of helping nonprofits fund community-based projects and initiatives. Diane moved back to Vermont ten years ago after spending twenty years in Colorado, and she loves capturing Vermont’s beauty through her camera lens.
"It’s rewarding to be part of a team where the work we do behind the scenes helps make a meaningful difference in people’s lives "
Accounting Manager
Aashish Kuwatel
Aashish joined Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity as Accounting Manager. His experience includes accounting and auditing in nonprofit, public-sector, and education organizations, with a focus on financial reporting, account reconciliations, internal controls, and audit preparation.
Aashish enjoys using his accounting skills to support organizations that make a meaningful difference in their communities. As a Vermont resident, he is excited to be part of the Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity team and contribute to its mission of creating affordable housing opportunities and stronger communities.
"The CVHFH mission to help others by building strength, independence and stability through housing is such an important one. I'm grateful and happy to be part of making someone's dreams come true as an employee of CVHFH."
Administrative Assistant
Julia Goldstein
Julia brings a wide range of experience from both the non-profit and corporate sectors. In New York, she supported non-profits through event coordination, donor database management, newsletter writing, and public relations. She later spent 20 years in consultative sales across the tech, pharmaceutical, and conferencing industries.
After moving to Vermont from New Jersey 11 years ago, she returned to non-profit work, assisting individuals with mental health challenges and Medicaid recipients. Most recently, she worked in tourism, helping visitors plan Vermont vacations.
Now at CVHFH, she’s excited to support the mission of building communities and expanding access to housing.
Fun fact: She’s a former performer with experience in opera, jazz, musical theatre, and vintage music from the 1930s and ’40s.
Admin@CentralVermontHabitat.org
(802) 522-8611 Ext. 2
"I am excited to meet the Employees, Vendors, Subcontractors, partners such as Youth Build and of course volunteers, see you around!"
Project Construction Manager
Nathan Donahue
Hello, I am Nathan Donahue, a lifelong resident of Central Vermont, graduate of Norwich University and longtime local contractor. I live up in the "highlands" of snow and beauty with my wife and two teenage daughters. I enjoy the outdoors in all its forms and seasons.
I have always believed in helping people out, whether pulling them out of the ditch or lending a helping hand on a project at home or within the community. As a business owner and resident I have always been concerned about the cost of living in Vermont. Will the regular person, including my daughter as they begin their journey in the adult world, be able to buy a house, and find a good paying job here. I believe I can help.
As I start my own journey working for a worldwide Non Profit such as Habitat for Humanity, I think it is a continuation and perhaps a raising of the bar, of the values that have been instilled in me by the Central Vermont Community I have lived in for so many years. Including but not of course limited to: Compassion/Empathy, Practicality, Resourcefulness, Grit, Gratitude, and of course hands on Hard Work!
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“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
- Charles Darwin
Restore Administrative Coordinator.
Jessica Evans
Originally from Montpelier, VT Jessica is committed to supporting high-functioning executives and teams across all sectors of the economy. What’s more, she developed a strong interest in administrative work and high performing teams while living in Virginia where she managed calendars, medical research, and competing priorities for a handful of faculty members at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Consequently, and at present time Jessica strives to organize and successfully manage donation pickups for Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity’s Restore.
During her spare time, Jessica enjoys preparing Italian cuisine for friends and family and swims on occasion.
Board of Directors
Karen Winchell
President
Karen Helmboldt-Winchell is a graduate of Smith College and has an MPA from the Kennedy School at Harvard. She has over 30 years professional experience in affordable housing, community economic development and project management. She has worked in state governments in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In addition, she has worked for a for-profit developer and a regional not-for-profit housing development organization in Vermont., and has served as a consultant to non-profits in the state.
Matthew Kahn
Treasurer
Matthew worked in finance and banking for over 15 years before becoming Executive Director of a social services nonprofit in New York City. He has volunteered with CVHFH since 2021.
Charles Kahle
Secretary & Development Committee Chair
Charles holds a BSEE from Lehigh University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. His career includes eight years in sales and product marketing at Microsoft, followed by ten years supporting Seattle-area nonprofits with IT systems, databases, and Salesforce. He later spent seven years as CIO at Washington Trails Association, leading technology strategy and organizational modernization. In the Mad River Valley, Charles is active in community service as a member of the Mad River Valley Rotary and Secretary of the Valley Rotary Foundation and volunteers his IT expertise with the Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA).
Joseph Mueller
Joseph received his MA in Psychology from the Vermont College of Norwich University in 1993. He spent his career in sales while also running a building maintenance business. He has been an active volunteer in the community since retiring in 2018.
Kent Hansen
Kent is a retired Financial Consultant. He and his wife Cathy have lived year-round in Greensboro since 2016.
Erica Fuller
Erica Fuller, CVA, is a volunteer services specialist with Habitat for Humanity International's Volunteer Expertise Hub, where she supports learning and connection across the Habitat network. After graduating from Northern Vermont University and completing a year of service with AmeriCorps, she found her interests in volunteer engagement and has remained committed to helping build meaningful volunteer experiences. As a Hancock resident, Erica enjoys spending time outdoors, volunteering, and sharing adventures with her husband and their two cats.
Stephanie Boucher
Stephanie Boucher became a Partner Homeowner with Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity in 2017 and now sits on the board as Chair of the Homeowner Selection Committee. She is currently owner and operator of a small bookkeeping business, Bud to Bloom, and credits her Habitat homeownership as a major reason she has been able to successfully pursue self-employment.
Christopher Caldwell
Christopher is the president and CEO of Community National Bank, a $1.2B bank in northern Vermont. He also is a member of the Board of Directors for the bank. Previously, he was the Senior Vice President and Senior Lender for Mutual Bank in Muncie, Indiana. He spent the last 20 years working primarily in commercial lending before becoming senior lender in his most recent position prior to his move to Vermont.
Allie Rood
Allie studied studio art at Whitman College—an education she sees as foundational to her approach to storytelling. Her freelance work spans independent film as well as commercial and branded content for companies such as Patagonia and Nike, all shaped by her deep roots in the outdoor industry. Growing up in a Vermont community centered around design/build, Allie learned to approach projects iteratively and with a problem-solving mindset, embracing mistakes as an essential part of the creative process. Her filmmaking blends autobiographical curiosity with a human-centered approach.
Soren Pfeffer
Soren has been the owner and principal broker of Central Vermont Real Estate in East Montpelier for 15 years. In addition to his real estate experience, Soren has a master’s degree in architectural design as well as over 20 years experience as a builder in the Central Vermont region.
Julie Frailey
Julie has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. Much of her education was put to work in the ski industry as a children’s ski training specialist and program manager. ulie moved to Vermont in 1983 to work at Bolton Valley Resort as the Children’s Program Manager and later as the Human Resource and Public Relations Manager. Julie then worked at Stowe Mountain Resort where she was the Director of Human Resources for 25 years. Julie was a resident of Waterbury Center for 26 years and now living in Waterbury for the past 10 years, and has served as board member and previous President of the Board (3 years) for Discover Waterbury and Chair for the Discovery Waterbury Design Committee.
Bruce Landry
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Bruce is a self-assured individual offering more than 15 years of experience as Business Owner. Well-versed in the Building Science Industry. Flexible and poised promoting well-developed skills in weatherization and general construction. Forward-thinking Project Manager with extensive knowledge of new construction and renovation. Known for success in Building Science Industries and leading employees to complete multiple tasks. Dedicated to efficient conflict resolution on the job site. Have trained many Habitat volunteers and architectural students at Norwich University in general carpentry skills and specific insulating skills. Owner of 5 Star Energy Tech and is a Home Performance with Energy Star Certified Contractor with Efficiency Vermont.
