Management Team

MICHAEL MONTE
Chief Executive Officer

Michael is Champlain Housing Trust’s Chief Executive Officer having joined the leadership team in December 2007 and being appointed CEO in January, 2021. He has over 40 years of community and economic development experience both at the non-profit and municipal level. He worked at Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) from its creation and was its longest serving Director. Prior to CEDO, he was employed as Executive Director for several non-profit organizations including the King Street Center. Michael is also a founder and partner of the independent community development consultant group, Burlington Associates, where he worked with Community Land Trusts around the country. He serves on the Board of the National NeighborWorks Association, the Grounded Solutions Network and leads the CEO forum of the Housing Partnership Network. He is the Chair of HPIex, a national insurance captive that provides workers comp, health care and property and liability insurance to members of the Housing partnership Network. Michael Is a recipient of the  Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership and has been recognized for his  work by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board with the Mollie Beattie award. Michael is a graduate of Achieving Excellence, a leadership program of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and NeighborWorks America. He holds a BA degree from Goddard College.


AMY DEMETROWITZ
Chief Operating Officer

Amy is our Chief Operating Officer and has worked at the Champlain Housing Trust since 1994. She previously led development projects from inception through permitting, funding and construction often in partnership with our co-developers, Evernorth (formerly Housing Vermont). Amy is responsible for all operations, overseeing the Property Management, Real Estate Development, Homeownership and Lending, and Cooperative Housing departments. Amy started at BCLT on North Street single-handedly serving our homeownership customers and remains a resource to the Homeownership staff. Amy is a non-profit representative on the Evernorth Board.


CHERYL READ
Chief Administrative and Financial Officer

Cheryl Read is our Chief Administrative and Financial Officer. She came to CHT in 2008 after playing an integral role in the management of her family’s business for ten years, and working at Opportunities Credit Union for three. Cheryl has managed our lending programs since 2010 maintaining a strong focus on program efficiency, sustainability and regulatory compliance. She joined the executive team in June, 2017 and is responsible for all human resources functions as well as the Information Technology and Administration Teams.

 


JOSH CHANT
Director of Finance

Josh Chant became CHT’s Director of Finance in June 2020. Josh joined Burlington Community Land Trust in 2002 and has grown with the organization, working as a Staff Accountant, the Controller, and Associate Director before assuming his current role. Josh’s hands on work in all aspects of CHT’s accounting operations as well as his past experience in the hospitality industry give him a rich perspective with which to lead his department. As the Director of Finance, Josh is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Finance Department including all corporate and property accounting functions such as audit preparation, the annual budget process, and cash management insuring compliance with all applicable accounting regulations.


JOSIE CURTIN
Director of Property Management

Josie is our Director of Property Management and has worked at Champlain Housing Trust Since 2002. Prior to the merger Josie worked for the Lake Champlain Housing Development Corp. as a property manager for a number of properties in South Burlington. As Director Josie oversees the day-to-day operations of the 2,400+ apartments and is accountable for their physical and financial well-being as well as compliance with a number of regulatory requirements.

 


JULIE CURTIN
Director of Homeownership

Julie is our Director of Homeownership and joined CHT in October 2021. She was most recently the Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer of Downstreet Housing and Community Development in Barre and before that was Director of Legal Services at the Vermont Land Trust. She has also worked for Legal Aid of Los Angeles and the Nature Conservancy. For years she has engaged in racial equity initiatives, and is eager to put her experience into action.

 


CHRIS DONNELLY
Director of Community Relations

Chris Donnelly is CHT’s Director of Community Relations, having joined the Trust in April 2005. He directs CHT’s external communications, including community and endowment fundraising, grant writing, media and public relations, coalition and advocacy work, marketing of all programs and homes, and all publications. Chris also oversees community organizing and member relations. He has many years’ experience in fundraising for social justice organizations and has a strong background in public policy.

 


MIRANDA LESCAZE
Director of Real Estate Development

Miranda is our Director of Real Estate Development, having joined CHT in 2020. She leads development projects from inception through permitting, funding and construction, often in partnership with our co-developers, Evernorth. Before joining CHT Miranda developed affordable housing solutions at Cathedral Square Corporation, led workforce development and diversity initiatives at VT EPSCoR, and worked as an environmental manager for a number of community organizations. She is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional.

 


MIKE OHLER
Director of Resident Services and Homelessness Prevention Initiatives

Mike is the (first) Director of Resident Services and Homelessness Prevention Initiatives. He began at CHT in 2018 as the Guest and Residence Services Coordinator. As the Resident Services program grew, he became the Resident Services Manager, and then eventually the Associate Director of Resident Services. Before coming to CHT he worked at the Burlington Housing Authority for fourteen years; first as the Offender Reentry Housing Specialist, and then as the Team Lead for the Housing Retention Team. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Saint Michael’s College and an Instructor of Sociology and Social Work at the Community College of Vermont.