At each Annual Meeting, Champlain Housing Trust honors several people or institutions who inspire us. At this year’s gathering on March 18th, 2026, CEO Michael Monte presented the following awards:
The Brenda Torpy Founders Award to David Mullin, who’s leadership as CEO of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity for 25 years helped grow the organization’s capabilities of building affordable homes by expanding the number of homes built each year from two to five or six and increasing the service area beyond Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties to Franklin and Lamoille Counties. During his tenure, David also oversaw the successful launch of Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Williston, Milton, and Swanton. And thanks to our partnership with Green Mountain Habitat since the 1980s, when both CHT and Habitat were established, CHT has more than 50 permanently affordable Habitat homes as part of our shared equity portfolio.
A Special Community Award to Bob Duncan and Michael Wisniewski who established Duncan Wisniewski Architecture in 1985 and worked tirelessly throughout their careers to address the need for affordable housing in our community through their design and development services. Some CHT homes designed by Duncan Wisniewski Architecture include 100 Cambrian Way, Bay Ridge, Post Apartments, Laurentide, Bright Street Co-op, Rose Street Co-op, and Elmwood Community Shelter (also known as “the PODS”).
Hilton Wick “Give Until It Feels Good” Award to Jan Blomstrann, the founder and former owner of NRG Systems, for her generous donation of approximately 46 acres of land in Hinesburg to support Windy Ridge, a new affordable housing neighborhood with 100 new homes. The development will include 32 affordable rental homes, 30 permanently affordable homes for sale through CHT’s shared equity program including eight developed with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, 10 market rate homes, a child care center and acres of open land accessible to the public with walking trails and beautiful vistas.
The Carole Pack Volunteer Award to Sue Whitney for her generosity of care and connection to residents and staff at Susan’s Place including thoughtful donations of food, clothing, and home goods to the on-site pantries.
Photographs by Owen Leavey