The SIFA Team

We're just getting underway - website under construction!

SIFA is a volunteer-run organization. We are in the process of incorporating as a public, non-profit, charitable organization (501(c)(3)).

Our Current Pilot Project Team

Rebecca Arbogast

Rebecca divides her time between Swan's Island and Washington DC. She practiced law for decades, shaping digital communications policy in both the public and private sectors, focusing on international policy coordination and increasing internet connectivity in low income and rural communities. She is now an avid Wwoofer, working on goat and garlic farms, and is developing health care programs to serve the homeless and rural communities.

Jil Lewis

Jil has called Swan's home since 2015. She has held a variety of professional roles: Recreation Director for a city of 18,000, PR/Blood Donor Recruitment across 22 counties, publication staff of Commercial Fisheries Review, stained glass artisan, folk art designer/exhibitor and muralist as a vocation and avocation. On her life's mission to "leave a trace" community activities include: Habitat for Humanity fundraising chair, School Advisory Chair for elementary school of 800 students, Junior League, Guardian Ad Litem, STAND advocate, Master Gardener, BSA Venture Crew Leader, TNT Olympic distance triathlete. Living on Swan's the adventure continues as a firefighter, EMT, driver of fire trucks and ambulance, Open Studio, building gardens, sharing produce, and encouraging cardboard composting. Please join the SIFA Team!

Gene Moore, MD

Gene is a retired primary care internal medicine physician. He had a primary care office in Burlington, Vermont and also worked as an on-site physician and medical director for a Life Care Community (CCRC) in Shelburne, Vermont. Gene and his wife Pat have been coming to Swan's Island since 2013 and they now spend winters in Vermont and summers on Swan's Island. They enjoy working on their "fixer-upper" home on the island, and also being outdoors experiencing the natural beauty of Swan's Island.

Sonja Philbrook

Sonja is a year-round, 8th generation islander. In recent years, she has been the chairman of the Comprehensive Planning Committee as well as Assistant Director and Crew Chief for the Swan's Island ambulance service where she was an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for 27 years. September 2025 will be the start of Sonja's 26th year at Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor where she is a special education and Health teacher.

Join Our Team

We are seeking additional team members who can help us implement this exciting project!