ISSOUF OUATTARA: Second Term—Resident Member, Homeowner
Issouf Ouattara was born in Ivory Coast (West Africa). At the age of 12, fleeing a social crisis, he moved to Burkina Faso where he completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business law (in French) and worked as a Legal Advisor with the debt collection department of a West African regional bank before his relocation to the United States in October 2010. He currently works as a Payroll Processor at the University of Vermont. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from UVM. Issouf lives with his wife and three children in Colchester. He believes in self-awareness, tolerance, communication, and teamwork to promote a healthy, diverse, and inclusive community.
KATE CAPPLEMAN SINZ: Second Term—Resident Member, Homeowner
Kate Cappleman Sinz was born and raised in North Carolina, until moving to the Green Mountain State in 2004 to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work. In 2011, Kate and her spouse Josh made Winooski their home through the CHT Shared Equity program. Kate is a social worker at UVM Pediatric Primary Care, where she has developed a dedication to addressing housing and other needs that impact the well-being of our community. She is active in the Winooski community, and is the parent of a student at Winooski Schools. Kate enjoys adventures and travel, and simply spending time in the Vermont woods with her family.
RACHYL PHILLIPS: Third Term—Resident Member, Renter
Rachyl Phillips is a former professional ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher. While Rachyl and her husband Steven have both traveled and worked extensively abroad, they fell in love with Vermont and are proud to call it their home. Shortly after moving here, Rachyl was diagnosed with a serious, rare genetic disorder – Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – that required the couple to put their lives on hold for the past several years for her treatment. Nevertheless, in spite of her medical limitations, Rachyl has tried to find ways to remain active in the community – her own way of attempting to “give back”. She enjoys writing, coffee, and happily considers herself a “tech-geek’’. She continues to raise awareness of the medical condition she fights, and advocates for others — especially for those who can’t do so themselves.
NICOLE MACE: Second Term—Public Member
Nicole Mace is the Dean of Administration at the Community College of Vermont. She has a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Nicole is a parent of a student at the Winooski School District and has been a resident of Winooski since 2009. She is the former Winooski School District Director of Finance and Operations, and she served on the Winooski City Council from 2015-2019, including a one-month stint as mayor. Nicole also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Winooski Housing Authority and the Winooski School District Board of Trustees.
JOAN LENES: Third Term—General Member
Joan Lenes served in the Vermont General Assembly, representing the Towns of Shelburne and St. George from 2007-2017. Joan is an elected justice of the peace in Shelburne and currently serves on the Emerge Vermont Board, Age Well Board, the UVM Nursing and Health Science Advisory Board, and Wake Robin Board of Directors. She is a member of Charlotte/Shelburne/Hinesburg Rotary Club and Shelburne Business and Professional Association. Joan is a former member of the UVM Board of Trustees, former longtime CVSD school board member; and she was a founding member of Robin’s Nest Children’s Center. Joan previously taught in the Center for Service-Learning at UVM, and owned and operated Climb High. She has two grown children and lives in Shelburne with her husband, Helmut.
ERIC SCHMITT: First Term—General Member
Eric Schmitt serves as Chief Operating Officer for Evernorth, a nonprofit organization serving the low- and moderate-income people of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont with affordable housing and community investments. He has over 30 years’ experience in the affordable housing industry, prior to his role at Evernorth he served as Director of Asset and Property Management for the Burlington Community Land Trust and as a Facility Manager for Banknorth Group. Eric is a graduate of Champlain College and Leadership Champlain Class of 2006. He has previously served on the South Burlington Development Review Board, The Governor’s Housing Council and as Treasurer and Secretary of Vermont Housing Managers Association. Eric has two daughters and lives in Burlington with his wife and dog and enjoys old movies, running, carpentry projects, and a good book.