From the Ground Up: A Heartfelt Thank You to Carol Holyoake

Dear Makers Mill community,

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we share the news of Carol Holyoake’s retirement from her role as Program Director at Makers Mill.

Carol’s story is inseparable from the story of this organization.

She was there at the original potluck in 2006, where the idea first took shape. She went on to serve as a founding board member of G.A.L.A. (Global Awareness Local Action), and later as an AmeriCorps volunteer. From the very beginning, Carol has been part of the foundation of what Makers Mill has become.

Carol’s contributions have spanned countless roles and responsibilities over the years. She climbed to the top of roofs installing solar hot water systems, was knee deep in compost while building community gardens, and cooked in the kitchen during First Night Chili and Chowda fundraisers. She coordinated thousands of details for Farm to Table Dinners and later East of Suez Benefit Nights, managing both front and back of house with care and precision.

She was also a Sustain A Raiser all star, traveling the region in a vegetable oil powered dump truck with shovels, wheelbarrows, and lumber, helping install raised garden beds, rain barrels, and compost bins at homes throughout the community.

Alongside this hands on work, Carol has played an essential role in shaping the organization at a deeper level. She has been part of many strategic planning retreats during pivotal moments in our evolution, helping guide big picture decisions that continue to shape Makers Mill today.

Should we shift from an all volunteer model to hiring staff? Should we continue to manage the Farmers Market or hand it off? Should we operate remotely or invest in a building? These are just a few of the questions Carol helped the organization navigate with thoughtfulness and care.

After some time away, Carol returned at a critical moment, stepping in as Assistant Director while Josh was on paternity leave. During that time, she helped guide one of the most transformative chapters in our history, the purchase of the building that is now our makerspace, and the transition from G.A.L.A. to Makers Mill.

About four years ago, Carol stepped into the role of Program Director. Since then, her leadership has helped shape Makers Mill into the vibrant, community centered organization it is today. The Mill now offers an average of 30 classes each month, along with extensive shop support hours that keep the space active and accessible.

Carol has coordinated hundreds of classes and programs, onboarded dozens of instructors, supported membership growth, and helped build the systems that keep everything running. Behind every class is an extraordinary amount of care, from coordinating instructors and volunteers to managing logistics and policies, all while ensuring that each program reflects the mission and values of Makers Mill.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

Carol has been, in so many ways, the connective tissue of this organization. She holds the big picture while also attending to countless details. She has supported shop circles, helped shape policies and governance, onboarded staff and volunteers, and strengthened the systems that allow Makers Mill to grow in a sustainable way.

Whether navigating complex systems, juggling competing priorities, or handling difficult conversations, she has consistently brought patience, diplomacy, and care.

“Having Carol as a copilot has been a gift. She brings balance, thoughtfulness, and a steady presence to the work.” — Josh Arnold

Please join us in thanking Carol for her many years of service, dedication, and heart. Her impact on Makers Mill is lasting, and she will be deeply missed in this staff role. We also have every reason to hope she will continue to be a familiar presence here at the Mill.

Plans are underway for a celebratory event in late spring or early summer to honor Carol and all she has contributed. We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate her.

The Board is currently working to update the Program Director role to reflect the organization’s evolving needs and will begin a search in the coming weeks. More details, including application information and timelines, will be shared soon.

For now, we want to take a moment to acknowledge this transition and honor Carol’s legacy.

Carol, thank you. Your work and your care are woven into Makers Mill in ways that will last for years to come.

With gratitude,
Josh Arnold

p.s. If you’d like to see more photos capturing the many ways Carol has been part of this journey, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9gQDBsGxefSpkaXP8