2015 Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership

As Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Kahler promotes the development of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and forest product jobs across the state. In particular, Kahler’s leadership and teamwork have taken the Farm to Plate effort – Vermont’s statewide food system plan to increase economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improve access to healthy food for all Vermonters – far beyond what was expected.

Kahler is a graduate of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania with a BA in Political Science and from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University with a Masters in Public Administration. Prior to joining the VSJF, Ellen was the Executive Director of the Peace & Justice Center in Burlington.

Ellen is a giver of self, to the common and public good. Peace and justice. Sustainable Jobs. A strengthened food system. Countless hours of dedication far beyond financial return, for the pure joy of making good things happen

— Peg Elmer Hough