Meet the Team
Lindsey
(she/her)
Teen Center Executive Director
Lindsey (she/her) is Executive Director of The Teen Center. She has a completely unused degree in environmental studies and journalism from Mount Holyoke College, and her work experience includes partner violence shelter management, CSAC group home management, and two terms on the Middlebury Selectboard. Lindsey’s goal as ED is to ensure all local teens feel seen, supported, capable, and hopeful of their bright futures. In her free time Lindsey likes to read murder mysteries, accumulate fabric that might never get quilted, and cancel plans last minute. She would like to extend her apologies to anyone who has fallen prey to that last one.
Elio
(they/he)
MiddPride Coordinator + Media Lead
Elio (he/they) is a community organizer, queer youth advocate, and Middlebury College student. He leads The Teen Center’s LGBTQIA+ group and is delighted to continue making MiddPride happen!
Elio leads with transformative joy, revolutionary love, and deep respect. They do this work because our kids deserve better.
Kathryn
(she/her)
Ilsley Public Library Tween and Teen Librarian
Kathryn (she/her) is the Tween and Teen Librarian for the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury. She has a history of working with children of all ages, but finds her interactions with teens to be particularly rewarding. Part of Kathryn's overarching goal at Ilsley is to create a safe space for teens of all identities to feel welcomed, included, and celebrated for their unique spirits. When not at Ilsley, Kathryn can be found playing outside with her dog and reading a good book.
Xander
(he/him)
Teen Center Staff
Xander is a 2023 MUHS graduate who describes himself as an "ex-delinquent, current gaymer, and all around funny man." We would describe Xander as a loyal friend, powerful advocate, and someone who hides his substantial empathy and ability behind sardonic humor.
Rafaela
(she/they)
MiddPride Youth Intern and Organizer + Ilsley Public Library Teen Intern
Rafaela (she/they) is a local Addison County high school student, youth organizer, and proud Texas transplant who has been deeply involved in the Middlebury community since moving from Houston in the summer of 2023. A passionate advocate for equity, youth voice, and queer joy, Rafaela has supported every MiddPride celebration since her arrival in Vermont and helps organize and uplift the event, bringing youth voice along with her. Beyond MiddPride, she’s a Second-Year Youth Organizer Intern with Outright Vermont, serves on the Vermont State Youth Council, and has led local initiatives such Addison County’s Summer Social Justice Camp at the Teen Center, which she organized after spending a year as a Youth Organizer with Education Justice Coalition. She spent her first year in Vermont, her 9th grade year, as a member of Atria Collective’s Youth Advisory Board on the Community Committee. Rafaela is grateful to be part of a community that celebrates and supports LGBTQ+ youth, and she’s nice as f**k, so if you see her, please say hello and introduce yourself!