Staff

Cornelia Carey

Executive Director
Cornelia has served as the executive director of CERF+ since 1995. Prior to her tenure at CERF+, she was the grants officer at the Vermont Arts Council and before that a program coordinator in the Contemporary Arts Department at the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities. She has a master’s degree in education with a specialization in human development from Harvard University and has served on numerous foundation, state arts councils, and National Endowment for the Arts grant panels. Cornelia lives with her husband and young daughter in Calais, Vermont.

Carrie Cleveland

Development and Communications Associate
Carrie came to CERF+ in the spring of 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history, with extensive work in the visual arts, from Marlboro College where she also worked in the Admissions and Registrar’s offices. After college she spent a couple years living in New York City where she was an entomologist’s assistant by day and a tenor saxophone player by night. Happily re-ensconced in her home state, Carrie now merges her office experience with her personal commitment to the arts at CERF+.

Nel Emlen

Event Coordinator
Cornelia (Nel) Emlen joined CERF+, part-time, in 2009 to help with the coordination of events and fundraisers. Nel earned her BFA in 1978 in Surface Design from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Art, and currently, runs a botanical design business. Nel has a long history working in the arts world, serving as a volunteer, employee and board member of numerous Vermont non-profit organizations. One of the two Cornelias in the office, Nel brings to her work with CERF+ a passion for fine craft along with a deep admiration for those who produce it.

Christine Kesler

Bookkeeper/Office Manager
Christine Kesler joined the CERF+ staff in early 2012 as our Bookkeeper/Office Manager.  Christine was raised in Southwestern Virginia, came to Vermont from California's Bay Area, and has also spent time in Brooklyn NY and Baltimore MD.  Most recently, Christine served as Operations Manager at Leap, an arts education non-profit in San Francisco.  She brings to CERF+ over ten years of diverse experience in small and large businesses all over the country.  As a working artist, Christine holds a great reverence for the ability to continue one's craft despite setbacks and hardship.  She is pleased to be teaming with CERF+ to provide essential services to fellow working artists.

Craig Nutt

Director of Programs
Craig joined the CERF+ staff in Fall 2006. As a furniture maker, sculptor, and arts activist, Craig’s multi-faceted experience provides him firsthand understanding of the many ways that artists pursue their careers. In addition, Craig has been active with numerous arts organizations including: the Furniture Society, the Board of Directors of Tennesseans for the Arts, the Artists’ Council of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and most recently serving as interim executive director of the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA). Craig lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

Jayne Sheridan

 Director of Administration
Jayne joined the CERF+ staff in the Spring of 2011 as the Director of Administration. Prior to joining the CERF+ team she served as Deputy Director of Vermont Works for Women and spent the previous twenty-four years in public education as a teacher, principal and central office administrator. Jayne holds a master’s degree in education specializing in supervision and leadership from Kent State University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in administration and planning from the University of Vermont. 

Les Snow

Program Manager
Les Snow joined CERF+ in 2003 as the Operations and Financial Services Manager.  In 2011 Les became our Program Manager working on emergency relief and preparedness services. Previously, he held administrative director, designer and design manager positions. Les has a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Vermont. Les lives at Wellspring Farm in Marshfield, VT where he has operated a community supported agriculture project and a sauerkraut business.


Special Project Consultants

  Meg Ostrum

  Amy Schwartzman