Staff

How Are We Different?

"VFP enables volunteers to participate at a considerably reduced cost, meanwhile maximizing the efficiency of the actual programs. I am grateful to have had this experience, and feel confident that it is something I will remember for the rest of my life as one of the most important things I've done." Kristy Milligan / India – 2005

VFP Volunteer, Eric Montellesse with school children in Thailand.  Photo Credit: E. Montellesse.

President: 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 ninth year at VFP. She is currently serving as 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 Institute of Natural Science Mountain Birdwatch, 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 international volunteers with our 150+ partner organizations. She has traveled extensively in Central and South America, Europe and Asia and traveling is a very high priority for her. She also has many years experience as an office manager. Jane has a BA, a well used backpack and a thirst for adventure. She and her husband, Mark, live in nearby Rutland with dog, Marley, occasionally seeing their three college-age children.

Marketing & Development: Emma Coldwell
Emma grew up surrounded by international voluntary service and is literally a child of VFP. Since the organizations birth in 1982 she has spent every year of her life involved in Volunteers For Peace in one way or another. She co-led her first camp Belmont, Vermont when she was 17 and has since traveled throughout the world largely for Volunteers For Peace. She has been a representative for VFP at ALLIANCE, SCI and CCIVS meetings abroad in Slovakia, England, The Netherlands and France. In 2002, She received her B.A. in History and Anthropology from the University of Vermont and until recently worked extensively with the University of Vermont Consulting Archaeology Program as a research supervisor. In her spare time she enjoys travel, people, running, yoga, cooking, snowboarding, skiing, anything outdoors and adventures of any kind.

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