Staff

“It was my first experience, but certainly not the last, and was absolutely fantastic...a life changing experience. I’ve already made some important changes in my life because of this experience and will do more in a near future.” Mona Briere / Argentina ~ 2009

Treasurer and Founder : Peter Coldwell
Peter holds a B.A. from The American University and graduate credits from Assumption College and Castleton State College. He speaks conversational German, Russian and dabbles in Spanish. Peter has traveled, lived and/or worked in some sixty countries. Peter did his first workcamps in Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1968 and co-founded VFP in 1982. He has practiced Yoga for over 30 years and has taught Yoga classes in Vermont. He's a "jack of all trades" skilled in carpentry, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. Peter is the webmaster, network administrator, and maker of the daily carrot juice and wheat grass shots for our staff. He and his wife, Penny, built their own home and the VFP office in Belmont, Vermont. To read more about Peters involvement in VFP visit the History of Volunteers for Peace.

Executive Director and Outgoing Volunteer Placements: Amy Bannon
This is Amy's eleventh year at VFP. She is currently Executive Director and still coordinating outgoing volunteer placements. She holds degrees in political science and environmental law and has worked as an attorney, editor, and landscape designer. Along with international service activities, her local voluntary service includes many years with Windsor Country Partners youth mentoring, and various projects with Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Mt. Ascutney Audubon Society, and Americares. She and her husband John are the parents of three boys. Her favorite activities include hiking, backcountry skiing, bird watching and canoeing.

US Program Coordinator: Jane Skakel
Jane joined VFP in 2006, but brought with her a past well suited for the task of establishing US projects and enrolling US and international volunteers with our 150+ partner organizations. She has traveled extensively in Central and South America, Europe and Asia and traveling is a high priority for her. She has many years experience as an office manager. Jane has a BA, a well-used backpack and a thirst for adventure and risk. She and her husband, Mark, live in nearby Rutland Vermont with trusty dog, Marley. They occasionally see their three college-age children - Will, Kat and Eliza - who have also caught the global travel bug.

Office Assistant: Joanna Tanger

Joanna is the newest member of the VFP Staff, and she loves travel and adventure. She participated in workcamps in France and the Netherlands, helped with workcamps in Vermont and explored Europe, Central and South America. A violinist since age five, Joanna studied Traditional Irish Music while living in Cork, Ireland for several months. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Bard College in New York. After graduating in 2007, Joanna moved to Prague where she received her TEFL certificate, and taught Business/Medical English for the largest language agency in the Czech Republic. She lives on an organic farm with her boyfriend and their many animals in mountainous Belmont. In her leisure time, Joanna can be found working on her website for young women, HipChickZine.net, playing her violin, dabbling in arts and crafts, kayaking or snow-shoeing.

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