Staff

Sarah Mutrux, Executive Director

At Farm Community Fund, Sarah combines her love of community development with her passion for nonprofit management. Previously the founding director of The Art House, a community art center in Craftsbury, VT, Sarah understands the dedication of hard working staff and volunteers that allows grassroots organizations to thrive and serve their communities. She believes in preserving the quiet and wild qualities of rural areas and their natural resources so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Sarah enjoys backcountry backpacking in national parks and finished the Long Trail in 2018.

Education: Marlboro Center for Professional Studies (MSM-MDO); Marlboro College (B.A.)

Board of Directors

Tyler Wren, President

Tyler Wren started his 13-year professional cycling career in college. He carries the distinction of being the domestic professional rider with the longest tenure on his team, Jamis-Hagens Berman. Cycling taught Tyler that there is no limit to the work that can be done to become a better athlete and he has applied this lesson to starting his own business, Wrenegade Sports, LLC, and several years later founding Wrenegade Foundation.

Now retired from professional cycling, Tyler is motivated by community building. His service as the first President of the Board of Directors will allow him to leave his mark on the Foundation guiding strategic planning and future board leaders.

Education: Princeton University (A.B. in Economics with a Certificate in Finance), graduate study at School of Business University at Albany

Board service: New York Bicycling Coalition

David Lane, Treasurer

David Lane brings a wealth of experience with agriculture and agriculture-related businesses to the Wrenegade Foundation board. David, his wife Julie, and their two sons operate Snow Farm Vineyard and Winery, Vermont’s first commercial grape vineyard and winery, and Crescent Bay Farm. In addition to his deep roots in South Hero, Vermont, David has over 20 years of economic development, financial, and technical assistance expertise.

Through his service at Wrenegade Foundation, David looks forward to delving into issues that exist between cyclists and people who enjoy agri-tourism and the farms and farmers that work in Vermont and beyond.

Education: University of Vermont (B.S. Animal Science)

Professional Experience: Chief Executive Officer of Snow Farm Winery, LLC; Senior Vice President at Yankee Farm Credit, ACA; Owner, Crescent Bay Farm; Deputy Secretary for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM); Executive Director for the Intervale Center; Director of Lending for the Vermont Community Loan Fund

Board Service: Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Chair, Vice Chair, and Flexible Capital Fund Committee Member; Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corporation; Champlain Valley Exposition; Grand Isle County Farm Bureau; Central Vermont Public Service Renewable Development Fund; Vermont 25 x 25 Committee; UVM Extension Advisory Board; Vermont Fresh Network; Vermont Angus Association; Northern Vermont RC&D; Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation; South Hero Land Trust; South Hero School Board; South Hero Select Board

Jesse Kowalewitz, Secretary

Jesse Kowalewitz is a native Vermonter who grew up in Essex and South Hero. He began working for Dealer.com early in his career and has continued to work in the online automotive advertising industry for fourteen years. He has applied his expertise in online advertising and database management outside of his professional life to volunteer with nonprofits and community groups helping them dial into their online audiences and manage contact lists and data.  

Professional Experience Product Manager - Advertising, Cox Automotive Inc., Burlington, VT; Software Developer, Dealer.com, Burlington, VT; Account Manager, Dealer.com, Burlington, VT. 

Volunteering: Wrenegade Sports/Foundation – data analysis and contact list development; D’Santos VT – Facebook community building and advertising; salsa, bachata, kizomba teacher.

Travis Reynolds

A former Peace Corps volunteer and specialist in biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, Travis Reynolds joined Colby College’s Environmental Studies Program in 2011. He grew up on an organic farm in Stannard, Vermont and earned his Ph.D. in public policy and management from the University of Washington, where his work with C. Leigh Anderson garnered a $4.58-million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As co-principal investigator on the grant, Travis continues to work on research projects in international development issues and now teaches Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont.

Education: University of Washington (Ph.D.); University of Vermont (M.S.); Brown University

Professional Experience Assistant Professor of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont; Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College

Areas of Expertise: food policy, food security, agricultural development, sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods