Who We are:
museum volunteers
Our Volunteers make up the backbone of the organization. Weather it's driving up the mountain on a snowy afternoon to feed birds, or educating the public at an exhibit at a local festival, they are always on hand to help out. Over the years, we have been fortunate to encounter so many people in so many stages of their lives and careers it is impossible to name them all. It is just as impossible to leave them out. Thanks to all of the past, present and future volunteers!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As with any non-for-profit organization, the Board of Directors is key to fulfilling our mission. The individuals listed below donate their time and efforts to making it all happen. If you are interested in supporting them in their good work or joining the team, please reach out.
Board President- John (Jack) Widness m.d.
Since retirement as an academic pediatrician and researcher, Jack has become active in conservation work, including service on the boards of Trout Unlimited (Connecticut River Chapter- President) and Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes. During summers, Jack supervises the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Greeter Programs at Harriman and Somerset Reservoirs. He is an also an active member of his local Lake Raponda Association in Wilmington.
director- gisela (gig) Zboray
Selectboard Administrator and wearer of many other hats for the Town of Whitingham, VT
Gig moved to Vermont in 2001, raising her young family in Readsboro and was very active in the First Baptist Church serving on the church council and as treasurer, and with the Readsboro School serving on many committees over the years and as treasurer of the PTG. She also ran several WINGS afterschool programs.
In 2012 Gig started working for the Town of Whitingham, part time at first and is now Selectboard Administrator. She recently won several large grants and as a result is overseeing several large construction projects. Her other titles include Town Health Officer, Zoning and Flood Plain Administrator, and Emergency Management Director. Gig works closely with most of the commissions and committees in the town.
Gig has always had a love of the outdoors, wildlife, and enjoys all sorts of museums. Becoming a board member of the Vermont Museum of Natural History is a good fit with her interests.
Director- Susan Ades
Susan Ades is a brand-new Vermonter, having bought a house in Halifax with her husband in 2024. Susan spent her professional career in museums, largely focused on exhibition design and planning. She earned a Masters in Museum Education from George Washington University and went on to work at the Smithsonian in Washington DC for several decades. A highlight of her career was serving as Director of Exhibits at the National Zoo. There, she was able to combine her passion for animals, conservation, and public engagement to help visitors feel a sense of investment and stewardship in the natural world. Most recently, Susan became a Master Naturalist, adding to her environmental knowledge and deepening her appreciation for the wonders of nature.
DIRector- Kris Plante
Finance & Grant Manager at BDCC
Kris began volunteering with VNHM in animal care in April 2024. She lives in Vernon with her husband and (as of 2026) 10 furbabies. She moved to Vermont in 2015 after graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Having lived all over the country, Kris and her partner felt that Vermont was a good fit for their values and love of nature. Kris has always loved animals and info dumping facts about them to anyone who will listen. She is excited to continue taking care of the animals and educating the public, but also helping to shape the organization as it continues to grow.
founder and president emeritus
Edward Metcalfe jr.
Ed served as the volunteer Executive Director of the museum from 1996 to 2024. He is currently the owner of Vermont Distillers, has extensive business experience and is a long-time advocate of environmental education. He served for five years on the Whitingham Planning Commission, three as its Chair and served nine years on the Whitingham School Board and six years as board member and Chair of the Twin Valley School District. He is a licensed pilot in Sailplanes, Hot-Air Balloons, and Airplanes; is a certified scuba diver and is a past EMT and fire department member. He has been a member of the Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club for 38 years. He now serves on the boards of the and Marlboro’s Hogback Preservation Commission.
museum staff
When it was founded in 1997, the Museum was the unpaid labor of love for Edward Metcalfe who ran the operation by himself. Over the years he took on a few volunteers, eventually an assistant director was hired, and by 2024 we were operating with 4 paid staff and up to 4 contract staff working from our Pool Nature Center. This is only the beginning and we are looking forward to a future Museum on par with the biggest attractions in the state! Are we hiring now? Take a look here to find out.
office manager, kristine sweeterAmong many unofficial roles, Kristine serves as the hub for most Museum activities. She helps with grant writing and administration, program development, promotions and most importantly scheduling and billing for our over 250 presentations a year! As Director of the local Whitingham Free Library, Kristine is also in a great position to provide a different viewpoint to our education activities and facilitate the Museum's relationship with libraries around the State.
animal care manager, harmony maverick
With a technical background in aerospace manufacturing, Harmony started volunteering with the Museum in 2021, expecting only to sweep floors and clean the taxidermy exhibits. She quickly became an active volunteer helping not just with cleaning, but also animal care, educational programs, and even eventually taking over a significant portion of the Museum’s social media. Assuming the roll of animal care manager in 2025 aligns well with her goal to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
education director, anna caputo
Anna received her B.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Education from Green Mountain College. After graduating, she went on to develop her skills as an educator in Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, picking up a passion for wetlands, birds, and coastal ecology along the way. This led her to pursue a master’s degree in marine science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, where she created a k-12 education program informed by estuarine research. In 2025, she decided to come back home to Vermont to help connect people to the nature and ecology around them. Anna aims to bring her passion for science and conservation in role as Education Coordinator at the Vermont Museum of Natural History.