ECHO announces new staff

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is happy to introduce the newest members of its staff. Spanning from animal care to accounting, education to communications, the new additions will round out a strong team and continue to help spread the organization’s mission of educating to create a healthy lake while providing a fun and memorable experience on the Burlington waterfront.

Jessie Forand joined the ECHO team in February as communications coordinator. A Vermont native who grew up in Bakersfield, Forand attended both Saint Michael’s and Johnson State Colleges, studying journalism and anthropology/sociology.

Before coming to ECHO, Forand worked as a journalist at the St. Albans Messenger, Burlington Free Press and other publications. She has covered areas including crime and courts, local government, elections, social issues, and more, and was honored by the New England Newspaper and Press Association for her contributions to a series of stories examining sexual offenses. Forand, is a writer and photographer.

Noella Krakowski joined the ECHO team in January as a science education specialist after serving as a lead camp teacher and part-time science education specialist. Krakowski studied biology at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. She comes to ECHO after working as nature center programs coordinator and environmental educator at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, and a teacher-naturalist at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, New Jersey.

Chris Whitaker started at ECHO in January as facilities and exhibits specialist. After a career in teaching science, both in his native Massachusetts and most recently at the Georgia Elementary Middle School, as well as working for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Whitaker joined ECHO because it provided the perfect venue to combine all his interests.

Ryan Daudelin came on board as development associate in October, after migrating to Vermont from Illinois. Before moving, Daudelin served for three years as education associate with the American Planning Association. He received a Bachelor’s degree in design studies with a focus on urban planning from Arizona State University and Master’s degree in sustainable development from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Karen LaBelle joined ECHO in late May as an accounting associate. She is a New York native who came to Vermont via Saint Michael’s College. She brings many years of finance experience, specializing in small business.

Shannon Kane accepted the position of environmental exhibit specialist at ECHO this fall after receiving her B.S. in zoology from the University of Vermont in May. Before taking on a full-time role, Kane volunteered at ECHO for about 2 years and was later hired as a part-time employee. She also interned with UVM Professor Sara Helms Cahan, studying ant behavior.

In addition to caring for ECHO's animals, Kane can be seen leading demos to teach visitors about their behavior and more. ECHO's healthy lake-driven mission and strong sense of community are among Kane's favorite attributes.