Ellen Butchart

I am the Executive Director of Allegheny Mountain Institute in Staunton, Virginia. AMI is an intensive, hands-on, cooperative, experiential learning and training program designed to teach members of our communities to grow and prepare their own food and to understand the nutritional benefits of eating seasonally. All of the program Fellows and staff are passionate advocates of their work and several generations younger than me.

I spent most of my career in education (as a university faculty member) and later as a creative director in educational technology and at Amazon.com. Losing my corporate job led me to my third career – my “€œencore.”

Refocusing on work that aligned my values and interests (local food and sustainability) was such a great validation of my strengths and my talents. I found I could leverage my strengths and skills in managing creative teams and working on challenging and innovative projects to build a successful learning organization.

I’ve seen big changes come from the impact AMI has on our local economy, school systems and community access to healthy, fresh food. By embedding our Fellows within critical food access projects, I’ve been able to jump start their leadership skills as they activate and energize the children they teach, the teachers they mentor, the nonprofit organizations where they work and the communities in which they live.

Leading a team, whether as a volunteer or an employee, is a great way to challenge stereotypes about age and to develop proactive strategies to stay engaged and productive, and dare I say it, to thrive! In an environment where everyone is working hard to achieve a shared goal, differences fade and people cease to compartmentalize and label one another.

And when you bring your most enthusiastic, optimistic, nonjudgmental and open-minded self to a task, your inner “youth” shines through.