Meet Your 2025 Board Candidates – 1
At the Annual Meeting on April 15th, you will be asked to vote on a slate of new Board members. Five people have stepped up to work with CVRAN and we are excited to introduce them to you over the next few days!
Pelin Kohn, Montpelier – I am writing to express my sincere interest in joining the Board of Directors of CVRAN. As an immigrant woman who has actively engaged with community organizations and local leadership initiatives, I am passionate about supporting and empowering refugee and immigrant communities in Central Vermont. I believe my personal experience, coupled with my professional background, positions me well to contribute meaningfully to CVRAN’s mission.
Since moving to Montpelier in 2017, I have been deeply involved in initiatives that foster diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement. My role as a City Councilor has given me insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrant communities in Vermont, while my participation in the Vermont Leadership Institute has equipped me with the skills to advocate for these communities effectively.
In addition to my local involvement, I bring a strong foundation in leadership, strategic planning, and community outreach, which I have honed through various board and committee roles, including my current position with the League of Women Voters Vermont. I am particularly interested in supporting CVRAN’s initiatives around education, housing, and advocacy, as these areas are crucial for ensuring the successful integration and well-being of newcomers.
My background and experiences have not only shaped my understanding of the complexities of refugee resettlement but also solidified my commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all. I am eager to leverage my skills to help CVRAN continue to be a source of support and empowerment for refugees and immigrants.
Eilis O’Herlihy, Montpelier – I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Board of the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network. I am inspired by CVRAN’s vision of creating an inclusive global community and I would be honored to contribute to this important work.
My experience with social justice and community development began in the 90s, and centers on undocumented workers, refugees, survivors of violence, and incarcerated people. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, I have a background in mental health support, trauma-informed care, and community leadership. For three years, I served as Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers – Vermont Chapter.
I am eager to bring my skills in mental health, advocacy, and community organizing to the Board of CVRAN. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the organization and to support refugees and asylum seekers in Central Vermont.
Angela Shambaugh, Berlin – I am a first generation American, born in Iowa to Dutch and German immigrants. Both my parents came to the US for opportunities they could not find in post-WWII Europe. Like many, my father joined family already residing in the US, but my mother was able to come after she was sponsored by a stranger with the same last name. Throughout my childhood, my parents offered friendship and support to many people from around the world. They hosted students of all ages and served as ‘parents’ for college students far from home. We also traveled back to Europe on family visits, starting in me a lifelong passion for exploring other cultures and places.
A maternal aunt offered me the opportunity to live for a year in Germany while I was in high school, so I could get to know family and learn German. I ended up getting a dual major in German and Botany, an unusual enough combination that I was able to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany following graduation.
A botanist by training and a lake biologist by passion, I came by way of Montana to Vermont in 1986 to live and raise my family. Now that I’m retired, I’m leaving the aquatic world behind to focus on the human one. I hope to share forward the kindness that supported my parents during their first years in the US. Through CVRAN, I hope to help new Americans settle here in Vermont and find a place to call home.