About PCV - Leadership
Betsy J. Walkerman, Esq., President
Betsy Walkerman, PCV President, is a lawyer by training, having received her J.D. magna cum laude from Boston College in 1979. Over the past 30 years, Betsy has worked at the cross section of legal, finance and strategy to launch and build companies. In the 1980s and early ’90s, she was General Counsel, CFO and VP of Strategic Development at Aspen Technology, Inc. She founded her firm, Headwaters Strategy, LLC, in 1996, and since then has served as a consultant and/or board member for more than twenty emerging companies. Her work in the non-profit sector includes leadership roles on land trust projects, the performing arts, and serving on the board of the Lake Champlain Sailing Center. Early in her career, Betsy was associated with the Boston law firm of Bingham, Dana & Gould, and previously worked in the public sector, focusing on energy and transportation policy. Betsy worked closely with Dick and Ginny Walters since the inception of the death with dignity campaign in Vermont. She has led PCV as president and a director since 2015. In 2020, the board created the part-time staff position of President, Betsy was named to this position, and resigned from the board.
Betsy Walkerman, PCV President, is a lawyer by training, having received her J.D. magna cum laude from Boston College in 1979. Over the past 30 years, Betsy has worked at the cross section of legal, finance and strategy to launch and build companies. In the 1980s and early ’90s, she was General Counsel, CFO and VP of Strategic Development at Aspen Technology, Inc. She founded her firm, Headwaters Strategy, LLC, in 1996, and since then has served as a consultant and/or board member for more than twenty emerging companies. Her work in the non-profit sector includes leadership roles on land trust projects, the performing arts, and serving on the board of the Lake Champlain Sailing Center. Early in her career, Betsy was associated with the Boston law firm of Bingham, Dana & Gould, and previously worked in the public sector, focusing on energy and transportation policy. Betsy worked closely with Dick and Ginny Walters since the inception of the death with dignity campaign in Vermont. She has led PCV as president and a director since 2015. In 2020, the board created the part-time staff position of President, Betsy was named to this position, and resigned from the board.
Toni Kaeding, MS RN, Board Chair and Director
Toni Kaeding is a nurse whose work has spanned clinical, academic, administrative, and policy positions in Vermont. She retired from the University of Vermont where she held both faculty and administrative appointments in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. She was founding Director of the Freeman Scholars Program. In 2012, Toni was named recipient of the Founder’s Award by the Vermont Medical Society. She enjoys cross-country skiing and running and lives at the end of the road with her family in Worcester, Vermont. Toni handles the many calls PCV receives from patients and doctors. She helps educate students and community members.
Toni Kaeding is a nurse whose work has spanned clinical, academic, administrative, and policy positions in Vermont. She retired from the University of Vermont where she held both faculty and administrative appointments in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. She was founding Director of the Freeman Scholars Program. In 2012, Toni was named recipient of the Founder’s Award by the Vermont Medical Society. She enjoys cross-country skiing and running and lives at the end of the road with her family in Worcester, Vermont. Toni handles the many calls PCV receives from patients and doctors. She helps educate students and community members.
Diana Barnard, MD, Director
Diana Barnard, a native Vermonter, is Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care as well as in Family Practice. After more than 17 years in private practice in Addison County, she is a Palliative Care Medicine Physician at University of Vermont Medical Center and an Associate Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Barnard was recognized in 2019 by the Madison Dean Education Fund award entitled "Excellence in End of Life Care." She has served on the Ethics and Palliative Care Committees and Board of Directors of Porter Hospital and also on the board of Hospice Volunteer Services of Addison County. Dr. Barnard was honored by the UVM Larner College of Medicine with the 2020 Service to Medicine and Community Award. In 2021, Dr. Barnard was named Vermont Family Physician of the Year. She is the Vermont liaison to the American Clinicians Academy for Medical Aid in Dying. Prior to her present position, was the Medical Director and a board member of Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She is a passionate advocate for holistic, comprehensive and patient directed care at the end of life. Dr. Barnard was instrumental in the passage of Act 39 as one of the few practicing physicians who testified for the need for medical aid in dying. She has worked tirelessly to educate medical professionals and serves as the primary resource for clinicians who call PCV or contact her directly for information on aid in dying.
Diana Barnard, a native Vermonter, is Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care as well as in Family Practice. After more than 17 years in private practice in Addison County, she is a Palliative Care Medicine Physician at University of Vermont Medical Center and an Associate Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Barnard was recognized in 2019 by the Madison Dean Education Fund award entitled "Excellence in End of Life Care." She has served on the Ethics and Palliative Care Committees and Board of Directors of Porter Hospital and also on the board of Hospice Volunteer Services of Addison County. Dr. Barnard was honored by the UVM Larner College of Medicine with the 2020 Service to Medicine and Community Award. In 2021, Dr. Barnard was named Vermont Family Physician of the Year. She is the Vermont liaison to the American Clinicians Academy for Medical Aid in Dying. Prior to her present position, was the Medical Director and a board member of Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She is a passionate advocate for holistic, comprehensive and patient directed care at the end of life. Dr. Barnard was instrumental in the passage of Act 39 as one of the few practicing physicians who testified for the need for medical aid in dying. She has worked tirelessly to educate medical professionals and serves as the primary resource for clinicians who call PCV or contact her directly for information on aid in dying.
Jaina Clough, MD, Director
Jaina Clough is the hospice medical director of the University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice program. Prior to joining hospice in 2012, she practiced primary care internal medicine in Burlington for 4 years. She is assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM and a faculty coach for Talk Vermont, a statewide education initiative to improve communication between clinicians and seriously ill patients. Her additional practice interests include contemplative end- of-life care and narrative medicine. Dr. Clough consults with clinicians who call PCV seeking medical information on aid in dying.
Jaina Clough is the hospice medical director of the University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice program. Prior to joining hospice in 2012, she practiced primary care internal medicine in Burlington for 4 years. She is assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM and a faculty coach for Talk Vermont, a statewide education initiative to improve communication between clinicians and seriously ill patients. Her additional practice interests include contemplative end- of-life care and narrative medicine. Dr. Clough consults with clinicians who call PCV seeking medical information on aid in dying.
Carolyn Cooke, Director
Carolyn Cooke has deep experience in both the non-profit and entrepreneurial worlds. Carolyn spent many years working in the outdoor industry including twelve years at Karhu/Merrell where she led the sales efforts that transitioned Merrell from a niche telemark ski boot company to a worldwide footwear powerhouse. She founded an outdoor women’s leadership council to promote women’s participation in outdoor adventure sports. In 1998, Carolyn married her love of the outdoors with her entrepreneurial energy and co-founded ISIS, an outdoor clothing company for women. Carolyn serves as board chair of Vermont Works for Women, a non-profit organization offering training for women and girls to develop economic independence. Recent leadership positions also include co-director of the 2-day Full Circle Festival and Director of Sales and Marketing at AllEarth Renewables, an innovative solar energy company based in Williston, VT. Carolyn's financial and strategic planning expertise are most welcome on the PCV Board.
Carolyn Cooke has deep experience in both the non-profit and entrepreneurial worlds. Carolyn spent many years working in the outdoor industry including twelve years at Karhu/Merrell where she led the sales efforts that transitioned Merrell from a niche telemark ski boot company to a worldwide footwear powerhouse. She founded an outdoor women’s leadership council to promote women’s participation in outdoor adventure sports. In 1998, Carolyn married her love of the outdoors with her entrepreneurial energy and co-founded ISIS, an outdoor clothing company for women. Carolyn serves as board chair of Vermont Works for Women, a non-profit organization offering training for women and girls to develop economic independence. Recent leadership positions also include co-director of the 2-day Full Circle Festival and Director of Sales and Marketing at AllEarth Renewables, an innovative solar energy company based in Williston, VT. Carolyn's financial and strategic planning expertise are most welcome on the PCV Board.
Susan Gillotti, MA, Director
Susan Gillotti is a retired Jungian psychotherapist. She grew up in Washington, D. C. and lived in London for many years. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Lesley University, and has published articles in the Journal of Sandplay Therapy. She is the author of Women of Privilege, a study of the intimate journals and letters of three generations of her maternal forebears, and is now at work on a second book that explores the ways in which the unconscious, through imagery, can nudge us towards self-actualization. Her husband, A. F. Gillotti, a retired international banker and novelist, used Act 39 to take control of the end of his life. She lives in Norwich, Vermont.
Susan Gillotti is a retired Jungian psychotherapist. She grew up in Washington, D. C. and lived in London for many years. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Lesley University, and has published articles in the Journal of Sandplay Therapy. She is the author of Women of Privilege, a study of the intimate journals and letters of three generations of her maternal forebears, and is now at work on a second book that explores the ways in which the unconscious, through imagery, can nudge us towards self-actualization. Her husband, A. F. Gillotti, a retired international banker and novelist, used Act 39 to take control of the end of his life. She lives in Norwich, Vermont.
Katy Lesser, Director
Katy Lesser is the founder and president of Healthy Living Market and Café in South Burlington, VT and Saratoga Springs, NY. A resourceful entrepreneur, Katy built the business over thirty years, thriving on providing healthy organic and local food to the community. She was honored in 2010 with the Vermont Small Business Person of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Katy has been an articulate spokesperson for the death with dignity movement in Vermont, gracefully sharing the meaningful story of her sister, Maggie Lake, who used Act 39 in 2015.
Katy Lesser is the founder and president of Healthy Living Market and Café in South Burlington, VT and Saratoga Springs, NY. A resourceful entrepreneur, Katy built the business over thirty years, thriving on providing healthy organic and local food to the community. She was honored in 2010 with the Vermont Small Business Person of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Katy has been an articulate spokesperson for the death with dignity movement in Vermont, gracefully sharing the meaningful story of her sister, Maggie Lake, who used Act 39 in 2015.
Marnie Wood, Secretary and Director
Marnie Wood is a retired educator having taught elementary-aged students for more than three decades. She has been a resident of Vermont since 1983 when she came to visit her sister and stayed. She is a member of the Wellspring Singers of End of Life Services in Middlebury. She is grateful for the opportunity to have shared her sister Nancy’s journey (using Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act) during the campaign to adopt Act 39, and with PCV as we have worked to bring greater awareness about end-of-life issues to the residents of Vermont.
Marnie Wood is a retired educator having taught elementary-aged students for more than three decades. She has been a resident of Vermont since 1983 when she came to visit her sister and stayed. She is a member of the Wellspring Singers of End of Life Services in Middlebury. She is grateful for the opportunity to have shared her sister Nancy’s journey (using Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act) during the campaign to adopt Act 39, and with PCV as we have worked to bring greater awareness about end-of-life issues to the residents of Vermont.
David Otto, DMin, Director
David is the founding CEO of Otto & Associates, a holistic financial planning firm with offices in Katonah, NY, and Norwich, VT. He has previously worked as a pastor and pastoral counselor, having received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Doctor of Ministry in Clinical Services from Andover-Newton Theological in Boston. David and his wife, Mary, lived north of New York City for 35 years before moving to Norwich, VT, in 2002. They moved to Shelburne in 2020. He has served on the board of the Katonah Village Library, as both the treasurer and president; the Bedford, NY, Zoning Board of Appeals; the board of High Horses Therapeutic Riding (Sharon, VT) as both treasurer and president; and the board of the Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich, VT), as treasurer and secretary. David notes, “End of life issues are of interest both professionally and personally. I welcome the opportunity to be actively involved in an organization dedicated to addressing these issues.” Mary and he have two married daughters and three grandchildren.
David is the founding CEO of Otto & Associates, a holistic financial planning firm with offices in Katonah, NY, and Norwich, VT. He has previously worked as a pastor and pastoral counselor, having received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Doctor of Ministry in Clinical Services from Andover-Newton Theological in Boston. David and his wife, Mary, lived north of New York City for 35 years before moving to Norwich, VT, in 2002. They moved to Shelburne in 2020. He has served on the board of the Katonah Village Library, as both the treasurer and president; the Bedford, NY, Zoning Board of Appeals; the board of High Horses Therapeutic Riding (Sharon, VT) as both treasurer and president; and the board of the Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich, VT), as treasurer and secretary. David notes, “End of life issues are of interest both professionally and personally. I welcome the opportunity to be actively involved in an organization dedicated to addressing these issues.” Mary and he have two married daughters and three grandchildren.