Staff
Christy Mitchell (she/her),
Executive Director
A longstanding presence in the South End, Christy serves as a champion and advocate of this exceptional Burlington neighborhood. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Christy has been an artist and small business owner in the South End for 22 years and brings extensive experience that integrates perfectly with the SEABA mission. She assisted in securing the legal designation of the ‘South End Arts District’ while the Assistant Director of SEABA in 2011. Christy was also the founder and Director of The Space Gallery in The Soda Plant for 14 years and the founding Director of the Generator Makerspace. Across her working history, Christy’s passion for the arts and love of creative endeavors has led her down a path of connecting artists to opportunity. Her vision for the South End consists of building up relationships and paving new ways for artists and entrepreneurs to connect with each other and the broader community, allowing everyone to thrive!
Kristen Eaton (she/her), Outreach Coordinator
Kristen is a freelance project manager (and the proprietor of Shaken & Steeped LLC) who specializes in gatherings that foster community and conversation. She spearheaded the first Vets Town Hall in Vermont, and continues to coordinate and consult on these events both locally and nationally. She works as the Teacher Host/Coordinator for the International Herb Symposium, and on fundraising and programming for Vermont University’s Veterans Summit. Kristen has worked as SEABA’s Outreach Coordinator since late 2021, and is the go-to person for questions about Art Hop registration.
Photo courtesy of John Moyers.
Savanah Tebeau-Sherry (she/her), Curator
Savanah Tebeau-Sherry is a multidisciplinary artist who is passionate about expressing vulnerability and fostering creative communities. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in studio art and graphic design from the University of Vermont, Savanah has continued to engage and learn within the countless art communities in the South End. When she isn't making art, you can find her hanging artwork for SEABA, baking sourdough loaves, gardening for the bees, and running in circles around town.
Erin Bundock (she/her), Grant Writing
Erin Bundock is a mixed media artist and writer whose practice includes printmaking, painting, and fiber arts. After completing her Bachelor's Degree at UVM in 2020, she continued her thesis work during the artist residency at The Vaults! Her first solo show, A Stitch Between, debuted during Art Hop in 2021. Since then, she has shown work across New England. Bundock is also on the board of The Young Writers Project, a non-profit dedicated to publishing and supporting young writers and artists. Bundock is excited to advocate for the artists here in Burlington's South End!
Board of Directors
Danielle Altenburg (she/her),
President
Danielle Altenburg is Director of Development in the Office of Advancement at Champlain College. She works at the Miller Center at Lakeside Campus for Champlain in the South End. Danielle's career began at the Shelburne News as a print reporter after she graduated from Champlain College in 2008. Five years later she found a love for fundraising for the Girl Scouts when she was living in South Texas. She then spent some time in the Washington, DC area working for animal welfare organizations and then for American University before she and her husband decided to move back to Vermont to raise a family. Danielle and Paul now live in Huntington with their two boys. She spends her free time gravel biking, skiing, and spending time with her family.
Liz Ford (she/her), Vice President
Liz Ford is a financial advisor with Hanson+Doremus Investments and Planning. She studied Cognitive Psychology at Reed College in Portland, OR and earned an M.B.A. from the UVM Sustainable Innovation program (SIMBA). Previously, Liz played billiards professionally and founded the Green Mountain American Poolplayers Association (GMAPA) league. Liz lives in Winooski and enjoys backpacking.
Scott Anderson (he/him),
Secretary
Scott Anderson is an AVP Branch Manager for Mascoma Bank working out of their Pine Street Branch. Scott’s work covers a wide array of categories from standard banking to community development and involvement. Along with nearly a decade of experience in the financial industry, Scott earned a BA in Business Management, minoring in music from Northern Vermont University. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Champlain program and Gallup’s leading high performance team’s course. addition to his work with SEABA, he coaches with and serves on the board of Milton Youth Hockey. In his free time Scott resides in Milton with his family and when not at work he enjoys being outside fishing, camping, or riding his motorcycle.
Henry Sinkula (he/him), Treasurer
Henry Sinkula is a Principal and investment analyst at Champlain Investment Partners, a Burlington-based investment management firm. Henry graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, earned his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation in 2018 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Vermont. Henry is a new homeowner in Burlington’s south end.
Laura Treu (she/her)
Laura Treu is a real estate attorney working as underwriting counsel for First American Title Insurance Company. She received her law degree from Western New England College School of Law and her bachelor's in history from Nazareth College, Rochester NY. When not assisting agents on real estate and title issues, Laura loves playing soccer, camping, and experiencing all that this world has to offer. She lives in Burlington with her husband Ian, and their daughter.
Ted Lawrence (he/him)
Ted is a partner at Dinse P.C., a law firm in the South End. He provides legal support to Vermont businesses, banks, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Ted moved to Burlington from Michigan in 2015. He is a graduate of Kenyon College and the University of Michigan Law School. When not lawyering, Ted enjoys hiking, listening to Van Halen, and writing features and book reviews.
Alex Germek (she/her)
Alex Germek works as a Support Analyst for Dealer.com. Her degree is in Video Game Art & Animation from Champlain College. Alex has lived in Burlington since 2012, and previously came to Vermont to spend summers working at a canoeing camp. She enjoys both outdoor and indoor hobbies ranging in everything from kayaking to being a Dungeon Master in local Dungeons & Dragons games.
Thea Heck (they/them)
Thea is the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Vermont Businesses for Social responsibility. Thea joined VBSR in April of 2023 as an experienced Graphic Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry and with municipalities. With a BFA in Graphic Design and Digital Media and an MFA in Emergent Media from Champlain College, Thea’s work centers around disorientation, defamiliarization, and altered perceptions, and their work has been shown in galleries in Burlington, Vermont, and referenced in doctoral studies.
Thea is a part of several organizations, other than SEABA, including; Rad Magpie, a nonprofit game studio working to dismantle hetero-patriarchy and white supremacy in the gaming industry; and AIGA Vermont, the professional association for design that empowers and supports all professional creatives by fostering connections and demonstrating the impact of art and design.
Katie Greene (she/her)
Katie is a Vermont native with a background in African history, education, and community development and is the Financial and Grants Coordinator at Burlington's Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office. She holds a bachelor's degree in History and African Studies from St. Lawrence University and earned her MA in African History from Michigan State University. Katie has dedicated several years to living and working in East Africa, focusing on community development and research. She also contributes her time as a volunteer with AALV, working with youth, and serves on the board of Gallop to Success at Kimberly Farms. In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking with her dog, Beau, reading, spending quality time with family, traveling, and exploring new foods!
Joy Hastings (she/her)
Joy A. Hastings brings over 20 years of banking and business experience to her role as Vice President Burlington Area Retail Manager. She uses her extensive business expertise to act as a mentor for local individuals starting their own businesses, and serves on the boards of Mercy Connections and the Very Merry Theater.
Will Clavelle (he/him)
Will was born and raised in Burlington’s South End and is the Assistant Director of Business Development for the City of Burlington’s Department of Business & Workforce Development. In this role, he supports Burlington businesses and helps entrepreneurs start new businesses in the Queen City. Will studied International Business and Economics at The University of Denver, and earned an M.B.A. from the UVM Sustainable Innovation program (SIMBA). Will lives next to UVM’s athletic campus with his wife Annie, daughter Camille, dog Citra, and cat Brie. He is a foodie and enjoys cooking, sports, hiking, and spending time on Lake Champlain.