Martha's Barn - A Grassroots 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
About Us
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Mom/Residential Care Home Owner/Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates/ Association for Positive Behavior Support member (APBS)/VT Statewide Independent Living Council/Certified Nonprofit Consultant
Kathleen's passion for helping others began at age 10, when her 17-year-old brother survived a traumatic brain injury. Her family founded
Mom/Residential Care Home Owner/Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates/ Association for Positive Behavior Support member (APBS)/VT Statewide Independent Living Council/Certified Nonprofit Consultant
Kathleen's passion for helping others began at age 10, when her 17-year-old brother survived a traumatic brain injury. Her family founded VT’s premier residential care home, Lenny Burke Farm, Inc. after Senator Patrick Leahy awarded a statewide federal planning grant to her late mother, Emma Burke, as Executive Director of HIS Independence Project . Kathleen has been in the licensed residential home care business for 37 years, while raising two children. She values her clients as extended family.
Kathleen serves on HIS Independence Project, which contracts state and federally licensed home and community-based settings, as well as other VT nonprofit organizations. Her daughter, Martha's autism diagnosis and need for clinical supports after age 21 created the vision of Martha's Barn Inc. She has been proudly serving the board since its inception in 2015 and stays current on professional development to support the unique needs of families that she collaborates with.
Sharon O'Neill, Vice President
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Coaching Specialist at VT Child Welfare Training Partnership for the last 14 years providing training and support for kin, foster and adoptive families. Sharon comes to this role with 30 plus years of working and advocating for VT children and their families. She is a Master of Art Therapy and local VT artist. Sharon has. proudly served o
Coaching Specialist at VT Child Welfare Training Partnership for the last 14 years providing training and support for kin, foster and adoptive families. Sharon comes to this role with 30 plus years of working and advocating for VT children and their families. She is a Master of Art Therapy and local VT artist. Sharon has. proudly served on the Board of Martha's Barn, Inc. since its inceptioin in 2015.
Juliane Foley, Secretary
Kathleen Burke Kourebanas, President
Alex Kourebanas, Treasurer
Mother and advocate of an adult son with developmental disability, as well as others like him in VT that need our help to secure a stable, safe, and supportive living environment. Juliane is passionate about team building supports for those in need. Proudly serving Martha's Barn, Inc. since 2023.
Pharmaceutical Executive with 30 years of
Mother and advocate of an adult son with developmental disability, as well as others like him in VT that need our help to secure a stable, safe, and supportive living environment. Juliane is passionate about team building supports for those in need. Proudly serving Martha's Barn, Inc. since 2023.
Pharmaceutical Executive with 30 years of experience leading teams in the space of regulatory affairs. I find peace and comfort in the Green Mountains and spend all the time I can either skiing or hiking. I have been a resident of Georgia, VT since 1996. I live with my husband, daughter and son, dog...and chickens. I also am fond of a horse named Toy Soldier.
Alex Kourebanas, Treasurer
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Alex Kourebanas, Treasurer
A long-time family business owner in Essex Junction and Williston, VT. Alex's guidance in sustainable business modeling is an asset to Martha's Barn, Inc. As Martha's father, he is aware of the need in supporting others in a collaborative model of care. He brings valuable insight to our team and leadership in community building.
He hosts
A long-time family business owner in Essex Junction and Williston, VT. Alex's guidance in sustainable business modeling is an asset to Martha's Barn, Inc. As Martha's father, he is aware of the need in supporting others in a collaborative model of care. He brings valuable insight to our team and leadership in community building.
He hosts individuals with developmental disabilities in work programs at his golf course and is passionate in supporting those in need of a 'day program model'. His family deeded Martha's home property for this charitable purpose and he is excited to launch this heartfelt endeavor to the community.
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Founder and owner of the Snowball Effect Group, Jeff brings nearly 3 decades of global sports industry expertise as Director of Innovation to Martha's Barn, Inc's grassroots mission. He has established himself as a visionary leader in business development, strategic partnerships, and innovative growth strategies. Jeff forges high-impact p
Founder and owner of the Snowball Effect Group, Jeff brings nearly 3 decades of global sports industry expertise as Director of Innovation to Martha's Barn, Inc's grassroots mission. He has established himself as a visionary leader in business development, strategic partnerships, and innovative growth strategies. Jeff forges high-impact partnerships that benefit businesses, athletes, and communities.
His skills in inspiring and educating large audiences have been honed as a featured speaker at Burton Global Sales Meetings for over two decades. He's presented on topics such as 'The Future of Work,' 'Growing Resilience in Time,' and 'Shifting from Boss to Coach' at various industry conferences and educational institutions.
With extensive global experience conducting business in 22 countries, Boliba brings a worldly perspective to Martha's Barn. His mission is to create win-win partnerships that inspire everyone involved to reach their full potential, making him an invaluable asset in driving innovation and growth for the organization.
Brittany Lynch, Stewardship Committee
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Jeff Boliba, Director of Innovation and Stewardship Committee Chair
Clinically trained Essential for Living behavior tech, Brittany has over a decade of experience helping other live their best lives. She plays an integral role in entrepreneurships for our stakeholders. She brings her own culinary skills in overseeing our mentorships. She is a skilled baker and gardener. We are honored to have her bring our vision into a fulfilled mission on our innovative team.
Jan Riordan, Stewardship Committee
Martha Kourebanas, Stewardship Committee
Caren LaRose, Stewardship Committee
Jan has held a variety of leadership positions in the health and wellness industry over the past 38 years. She continues to spearhead many health inititatives throughout the state of Vermont. Jan has served as Co-Chair of the Trustees for Mater Chrisit School, as well as a Board Member of the Jennifer Riordan Foiundation, Age Well, Pioneering Healthier Communities, and Vermont Cancer Network.
Caren LaRose, Stewardship Committee
Martha Kourebanas, Stewardship Committee
Caren LaRose, Stewardship Committee
A native Vermonter, Caren has a long history of office and property management. She has guided multiple business offices into corrective action for most efficiency with her diligence and dedication. Caren gets the job done. Her passions include world travel, cooking, entertaining and photography. She has volunteered at Martha's Barn Inc.
A native Vermonter, Caren has a long history of office and property management. She has guided multiple business offices into corrective action for most efficiency with her diligence and dedication. Caren gets the job done. Her passions include world travel, cooking, entertaining and photography. She has volunteered at Martha's Barn Inc. fundraising events since inception. We are honored to have her industrious attitude on board!
Martha Kourebanas, Stewardship Committee
Martha Kourebanas, Stewardship Committee
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
The incorporators behind the mission, YaYa Martha Kourebanas (longtime owner and operator Kourebanas' Lincoln Inn in Essex Junction, VT) and the late YaYa Emma Burke (originator of VT's 1st residential care home, Lenny Burke Farm, established in 1987).
It is an honor to carry on their legacy of compassion and community collaboration for best quality of life for those we serve.
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
Dr. Savage is currently the Clinical and Strategic Advisor for NeuroInternational Brain Injury Programs. He has founded and chaired multiple organizations and served on the Board of Governors for the International Brain Injury Association. He is passionate about helping others. His expertise for starting grassroots organizations and launc
Dr. Savage is currently the Clinical and Strategic Advisor for NeuroInternational Brain Injury Programs. He has founded and chaired multiple organizations and served on the Board of Governors for the International Brain Injury Association. He is passionate about helping others. His expertise for starting grassroots organizations and launching into action plans for long-term sustainability is a welcomed gift to our organization. His consultations provide decades of experience in private-public partnerships.
Laura Bonazinga Bouyea, Professional Advisory
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
Laura Bonazinga Bouyea, Professional Advisory
As a speech and language pathologist, consultant for autism, social and emotional communication learning specialist, Laura brings a plethora of expertise. She enjoys working with children and adults as they increase their communication skills. In addition to running her private practice, Vermont Speech and Language Pathology, she serves a
As a speech and language pathologist, consultant for autism, social and emotional communication learning specialist, Laura brings a plethora of expertise. She enjoys working with children and adults as they increase their communication skills. In addition to running her private practice, Vermont Speech and Language Pathology, she serves as the Social Communication Specialist at Mansfield Hall.
Laura is a native Vermonter, enjoys birding, cooking, nordic skiing, and getting outside with her son, husband and tri-pawed dog.
Kevin Burke, Professional Advisory
Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D. Professional Advisory
Laura Bonazinga Bouyea, Professional Advisory
The hand on the rudder of Martha's Barn, Inc. and Martha's uncle. He has guided multi-generational family businesses, and large community-based programs for survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury under state and federal laws for over 3 decades. A distinguished UVM graduate, and Governor's Award winner for Professional of the Year, his primary focus is to create joy for those he serves.