Staff
CAROLYN OHLE, Executive Director
Carolyn first came to Innisfree in 1976 as a volunteer caregiver having been a special education teacher in Appalachian Ohio. She has also been Innisfree’s Weavery Manager, Community Coordinator, and Training Coordinator, plus she has been Executive Director twice!
Carolyn has a bachelor’s degree in special education and psychology from Ohio University and a master’s degree in genetic counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia. During intervals when Carolyn was not working at Innisfree, she worked at Charlottesville’s Arc, Region Ten Community Services Board, and as a genetic counselor at the University of Virginia Health System. She maintained her connection to Innisfree during these years by serving on Innisfree’s Board of Directors.
Carolyn lives in Charlottesville, is married to Todd Cooper, and spends her spare time camping, kayaking, and weaving.
WES ANDREWS, Associate Director and Finance Officer
Wes first came to Innisfree in 1985 as a volunteer caregiver after having been a psychiatric nurse in England. He became Innisfree’s Finance Officer in 1996 and Assistant Director in 2000, continuing his financial work. He became Associate Director in 2009.
Wes was born in Burma (now Myanmar) but was raised in England. He has two children, a home in Afton, and likes tennis and soccer.
IZRAEL ZAK, Fitness Coordinator and Fund-Raising Assistant
“Iz” came to Innisfree in 1996 as Fitness Coordinator and Fund-Raising Assistant. His fitness responsibilities include working out with Innisfree coworkers at an onsite gymnasium and coordinating Special Olympics training and events. His fund-raising responsibilities include coordinating Innisfree’s fund-raising campaigns and managing fund-raising databases.
Iz has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Rutgers University and is a massage therapist and certified Feldenkrais practitioner.
Iz was born in Uzbekistan, part of the former Soviet Union, lived in France until he was 12 years old, and then moved to New York City. Iz and his wife Leigh Sato are the busy parents of Gabriel and Ilo. Iz enjoys sports and reading.
SHARON SNYDER, Community Kitchen Head Cook
and Medical Case Manager
Sharon came to Innisfree in 1998 as a volunteer caregiver in Amity House, living there for seven years and managing this newly built house for Innisfree’s aging coworkers. With a background in culinary arts, Sharon also took on the task of planning and cooking Innisfree’s
community lunches. In 2008, she began administering medical files for Innisfree coworkers and planning in-service medical trainings for volunteer caregivers and long-term staff.
Originally from Michigan, Sharon has a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Michigan State University. She lived in several states and Europe and completed a 5-year stint with the Brethren Volunteer Service before coming to Innisfree.
After her service at Amity House, Sharon moved to Batesville where she lives with husband Lonnie Murray and daughter Ariel.
RHONDA MISKA, Office Manager
and Community Coordinator
Rhonda came to Innisfree in 2008 after 4 years at Charlottesville’s Church of the Incarnation where she worked in social-justice promotion and with the local Spanish-speaking immigrant community. Rhonda has a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and French from the University of Wisconsin and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry on a part-time basis at Boston College.
Before moving to Charlottesville, Rhonda spent two years in rural Nicaragua serving as a Jesuit volunteer. She enjoys dancing, singing, creative writing, and staying involved in the local community through social-justice work.
TOM CLAY, Maintenance Superintendent
Tom came to Innisfree in 2007 as resident maintenance superintendent, moving into Walnut Level House with his wife Monika and their three young children. Tom maintains Innisfree’s physical plant, including its residential houses and administrative and workstation buildings.
After a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy, Tom received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Penn State with a concentration in sculpture. Tom also worked as a blacksmith in Philadelphia for many years.
Tom’s passions include storytelling, singing Sacred Harp music, fixing and playing accordions, boating, and tree-climbing.
TRISHA COSTELLO, Head Vegetable Gardener
Trisha came to Innisfree as a volunteer caregiver in 1989. She has been Innisfree’s Head Vegetable Gardener since 1995. Trisha helped launch Innisfree’s community-supported agriculture project, Innisfree Community Gardens.
Trisha has a bachelor’s degree in English from Notre Dame. Trisha married Innisfree volunteer Cabell Coward in 2006. She, Cabell, and toddler Lucy Mae live in Crozet.
CATHERINE BOSTON, Head Herb and Flower Gardener
Catherine arrived at Innisfree in 1993 as a volunteer caregiver and early on gravitated to Innisfree’s gardens. In 1996, she took over the leadership of the newly developed herb and flower garden. Catherine also helped launch Innisfree’s community-supported agriculture project, Innisfree Community Gardens,and she guided the development and building of Violet, the new home of the herb and flower garden.
Catherine has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University.
MIRIAM PICUS, Head Weaver
Miriam came to Innisfree in 1984 as a volunteer caregiver. She became
Head Weaver in 1987.
Miriam has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. She married Innisfree volunteer caregiver Pete Marshall. She, Pete, and their two daughters, Leah and Talia, live in Charlottesville.
DENNY GOBERT, Head Woodworker
Denny came to Innisfree in 2006 as a volunteer caregiver. He has been Head Woodworker since 2008.
Denny was a stonemason for many years and is also one of Innisfree’s computer gurus. He and his partner Laura Neff live in and manage Laurel House.
ARVIN COHEN, Head Baker
Arvin came to Innisfree in 2002 as a volunteer caregiver. Arvin began managing Innisfree’s bakery shortly thereafter. He bakes bread and makes granola weekly, plus he bakes for Innisfree’s special occasions.
In the early 1960s, Arvin served in the U.S. Army as a pharmacist, surgical assistant, and combat medic. After leaving the military, Arvin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albuquerque, plus he has pursued graduate work in drama and theatrical direction. He spent more than 30 years as an actor, acting teacher, and director.
Arvin was born and raised in Chicago. His hobby is close-up magic, and he entertains people wherever he travels.
PETER TRAVERSE, Farmer
Peter moved to Innisfree in 2008 to manage Innisfree’s farm with the help of his wife Deb. One of 12 children, he grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Castleton, Vermont. Peter worked as business manager on The Traverse Family Farm and has spent many years working as a community development specialist providing technical assistance to
micro-enterprises and non-profit organizations.
Drawing on his farming background, Peter developed creative organic designs in small business and community development, gaining him national recognition in micro-finance and invitations to work on large community projects, including the City of Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics and internationally in community development projects in the former Soviet Union.
DEBRA TRAVERSE, Farmer
Debra moved to Innisfree with husband Peter in 2008 to manage Innisfree’s farm. She has roots in upstate New York, growing up on a small farm in Holland Patent, NY. Deb moved to Vermont in the late 1970s where she raised three terrific children. She has worked as an energy consultant, housing counselor, and family advocate within the juvenile justice system.
Volunteer Caregivers and Long-Term Staff
TRILLIUM HOUSE
Annamaria Little (from Ireland) and Eric Shaffer-Whiting
HALCYON HOUSE
Tom Wool
OAKWOOD HOUSE
Marianne Roberts
LAUREL HOUSE
Denny Gobert, Laura Neff, and Vanessa and Nich Traverse
OZ HOUSE
Arvin Cohen
DOGWOOD HOUSE
Dan Ruppert
SUNFLOWER HOUSE
Sarah McArthur and Jana Witschard (from Germany)
MEADOW HOUSE
Melanie Joyce and son Kahlil, and Rhonda Miska
AMITY HOUSE
River and Jacquie Holmes
WALDEN HOUSE
Katie and Nathanael Schwarz and baby Milo (Nathanael from Germany)
MAGNOLIA HOUSE
Jane Paulete Alves (from Brazil)
BITTERSWEET HOUSE
Peter and Deb Traverse (farmers)
ECHO HOUSE
Carolyn Ohle or Wes Andrews (from England)
WALNUT LEVEL HOUSE
Tom and Monika Clay with children Zoe, Noah, and Josie (Monika from
Switzerland)
