Emerging Leader Awards

Jess Bouchard, Director, Queer Connect & College Advising Teacher, Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School

"I believe Southern Vermont is emerging in inclusive practices, but I feel very inspired to take this work to the next level, and to make a community that is empowering for folks like me and families like mine to exist, yes, but also grow and thrive. I have big dreams for our community!"

Eleni Maksakuli, Owner, The Putney Diner

Daveq Anderson, Facilities Manager, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation

"Southern Vermont has always been a beautiful vacation destination for many. From the rolling green mountains to the amazing fall foliage this welcoming community has been a great home. One of the reasons I like what we do at BDCC is because we are working to create an economy where our children can stay and be successful."

Stephanie Muñoz Wells, Early Educator, Northshire Day School

"We chose Southern Vermont originally because we have family in the area; we continue to choose Southern Vermont because of the unique educational, employment, and outdoor opportunities available. Vermont, just like any state, will always have room for improvement, but I am so thankful to live and work in a state that prioritizes and supports children and families."

Bethaney LaClair, Executive Director, Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce

"Southern Vermont offers a little bit of everything, four seasons of outdoor activities and natural beauty, wonderful communities, a slower pace of life, but within driving distance to cities and the ocean. There is also a great variety of businesses and organizations to work with/for that have a real local impact."

Kayla Bernier-Wright, Homeownership Specialist, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust

" I hope we can continue investing in support for families, great education for kids, and a secure future for everyone who calls Vermont home - I think Southern Vermont is a exemplary in this way, I see examples of progress and sustainable growth in my town and in my work all the time."

Camille Kauffman, Director, Paran Recreations INC

"Being such a small community, there are certainly motivated and passionate people who are committed to making our region a more supportive and equitable place. I'm grateful to be surrounded by those inspiring groups of people right here in Southern VT."

Joy Auciello, Business Services Administrator/Craftsperson, New England Center for Circus Arts/JoyStar's Story

Over the years as this has been my primary residence, I have experienced the great resilience and caring community support of Southern Vermont. No matter how much I love to travel, there is nowhere in the world I would rather be than here in Vermont."

Bethany Connelly, BCBA, Intern Supervisor, WSESDVT

"Serving this community will always be the home base. It's amazing how communities come together to serve youth and I've been so impressed with the care I see in parents developing after school programs. I love walking by the teenage vault room at the old school community house and I'm proud to be a part of it all."

Melanie Lopez, Business Owner/ Student/Volunteer, Self-Employed; Mel's Bookkeeping & A Shovel at a Thyme; Wilmington Works, President

"My favorite thing about living in small town Vermont is that almost everyone has a love for nature and their surrounding environment. Every other person I talk to will update me on how their garden is doing, or their latest wildlife encounter."

*Daniel Chiaccio, Owner/Director, First Proof Press

"Despite opening up only a few weeks before covid, First Proof hung in there! If it were not for the hospitable community and access to local artists who needed a place to create then I do not think the business would have made it. I think Southern VT is special in that way, the community here was very supportive and eager to take workshops or become members at First Proof."

Celine Lacroix, Managing Director, Brattleboro Portable Storage, MTG Holdings LLC

"I admire native Vermonter's can-do, self reliant attitude and seek to embody that in all my business dealings. I love that our communities prefer to support small businesses when they are shopping for a product or service."

Callie Fishburn, Regional Planner, Bennington County Regional Commission

"Bennington has a great community of local businesses, leaders, and service providers, and I truly feel like Bennington and Southern Vermont overall is an up-and-coming destination."

Megan Herrington, Public Health Services District Director, Vermont Department of Health - Office of Local Health - Bennington District Office

"As a region, we are growing a shared understanding of health equity, addressing upstream challenges and building cross-sector collaborations in a way that feels new and exciting. Southern Vermont is providing the perfect environment to build a community of practice and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it."

*Ahmad Yassir, Artists & Marketing Manager, VT News & Media (Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal, Brattleboro Reformer, & VT Country Magazine)

"One of the things that set Southern Vermont apart is its ability to maintain a strong sense of tradition and history while also embracing innovation and growth. This has created a dynamic and exciting atmosphere that is perfect for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their community."

Rory Price, Public Health Specialist, Vermont Dept. of Health: Bennington Office of Local Health.

"The atmosphere in Southern Vermont is one of support and unity, rather than competition. I’ve found a network of friends and co-workers (frequently the same people!) who have similar goals to improve health and wellbeing in our corner of the state."

*Andie Fusco, Realtor®/ Associate Broker, Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty

"Visiting farmers markets, listening to live music outdoors and attending potlucks are traditions engrained in our social lives. I really can't think of a better place in the country to be a part of a close-knit community and have so many ways to enjoy the outdoors."

Alexandra Mushinski, Development Manager, Next Stage Arts Project

"During this formative stage in my career, the resources and connections I’ve made through the supportive local community have been pivotal for my future as an artist and a nonprofit development professional. The people are what make Southern VT so special, and I’m grateful for the chance to live here and learn every day from my coworkers and community."

*Sarah Krinsky: Business Owner, My Generation Vintage / Co-Owner, W. Collective / Communications & Engagement Coordinator, Bennington College
"I feel pride when I think about how running my businesses and working my full-time job at the college has allowed me to network and feel more integral within the community."

*Alana Harte: Dean of Students, Pine Cobble / Equity Consultant, Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity
"While I’m proud of my professional accomplishments, the work that is most meaningful to me are the community engagement efforts. Uplifting and centering other people, especially those who are typically underserved or otherwise underrepresented, is a great source of pride for me."

Keith Marks: Executive Director, Next Stage Arts
"I am proud to have positioned Next Stage as a primary collaborator amongst peer organizations, businesses, and community initiatives, and to have served our mission of serving southeastern Vermont as a regional cultural hub, arts producer, and instigator of meaningful cultural experiences."

Samantha Pearce: Community Health Epidemiologist, The Collaborative
"I am most proud of the fact that I am proof that young Vermonters can build their life here without letting go of their dream. When I changed my major to study public health, I knew that I would find some way of serving my community with that education."

*Martha Cornwell: Physician Assistant, Farmer, and Shaftsbury Selectwoman
"I am very proud to have helped create a broad coalition of BIPOC, elder, young, working parents, small business owner citizens to help transform the Shaftsbury of tomorrow. I hope that my candidacy will bring more representative voices and new ideas to town government."

*Nikolas Katrick: Executive Director, The Nature Museum at Grafton
"The natural world that sustains us and embraces us is ultimately one of the most powerful libraries available to us. At the end of the day, if I’ve helped facilitate someone’s connection to the natural world, then I know I’ve accomplished my most critical goal."

*Alyssa Irizarry: Projects Coordinator, Alliance for Community Transformations
"I love that I have an opportunity to work on so many interconnected topics that are near and dear to my justice-driven heart, and where talking about mental health is not only normalized and encouraged, it's part of the work!"

Allison Wright: Owner Operator, OWL FOOD LLC
"I'm proud of having run a successful business from start-up phase through 10+ years in operation. I feel it is important for women, of all ages and backgrounds, to see that hard work, self-confidence, self reliance, and willpower can lead you to far greater accomplishments than you dreamed."

Carissa Brewton: Programs Coordinator, Grateful Greens Vermont
"I love working with people to make good things happen (especially when it has to do with food), and I just hope to apply my strengths to the betterment of the community, especially to make food more accessible in a dignified, joyful way."

Amir Samar: Projects Manager, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
"After managing migrant programs back in my home country of Afghanistan, I am glad to be able to apply my skills in my new home of Southern Vermont. I am proud to help my people find the quality jobs that will allow them to build their lives and contribute to this community."

Jennifer Luty: Development Director, Northshire Day School
"My first priority is always families, so I’m most proud to have secured grant awards that allow us to offer support when it’s needed. These awards make affordable access to early childhood education a reality, regardless of a family’s ability to pay."

Anna Griffith: Employment Coordinator/Service Coordinator, Families First of Southern VT
"When I can run into the individuals accomplishing their errands, having coffee with their friends, or running on a treadmill at the gym, I know I've accomplished what I set out to do in my career and that is to help others know they have a community to belong and contribute back to."

Natalie Philpot: Programs Coordinator, The Collaborative / First Congregational Church
"I appreciate being able to start shifting the narrative around substance misuse disorder, to promote safe spaces through engaging in active stigma reduction education, and to show our community that they are not alone - that there is so much hope - and that a life in recovery is possible, but that PREVENTION is where the possible becomes probable."

Laetitia LeBail: Special Educator, WSESU
"I am proud of having built the Intensive services program at Putney Central School. Seeing students reaching their IEP goals, managing their behaviors, and using the new communication devices that have increased their ability to vocalize and make requests has been so rewarding."

Carolyn Gilbert: Sr. Program and Partnership Development Associate, Population Media Center
"A decade after leaving Vermont, I find myself back, not only with a career that I’m proud of, but with a strong commitment to making my mark on my Vermont community and a sense of openness from my fellow community members for my contributions and perspective."

Adriana Negrón Trujillo: Mother of Four / Event Coordinator/ Campaign Manager/ Community Organizer/ Doula
"This community embraced and uplifted our biracial family, and I am proud to be able to uplift BIPOC individuals to take on leadership positions in the Vermont Senate—we cannot just speak about supporting BIPOC individuals if we do not give them space to lead us."

Asher Edelson: History Teacher, VPI's School for Girls / School Board Member / Chairman, Vermont State Rehabilitation Council & Bennington Town Democratic Party
"Serving as the Chairman of several organizations, as a school board member, and working full-time as a social studies teacher would be a lot to manage without Tourette Syndrome. I am proud to be able to get up every morning and serve my beloved Vermont community."

*Stephanie Eames: Partner Liaison, United Counseling Service
"I found a new passion for helping families with young children, supporting parents who are isolated and stretched thin, and I am proud of my role in ensuring that Southern Vermont has healthcare providers and mental health professionals who are well trained and increasingly devoted to the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders."

Maggie Rubick: Teacher, Northshire Day School
"I am proud to be a part of the early childhood profession at a time when there's so much opportunity to effect positive change. I aim to apply and adapt my skills and learning across contexts, with the goal of sharing my strengths, knowledge, time, and energy in a way that will have a positive impact on my community."

Nicole Koziara: After-School Outdoor Education Program Director, Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro
"I love being a resource to families in my community but I am most proud to support the children enrolled in Kids Club—every time they make a new connection, try something new, overcome something that was once difficult for them, it brings me so much joy."