Vermont Business Magazine After 10 years leading the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, longtime Executive Director Mary Alice McKenzie is leaving her position. She will be replaced by Tanya Benosky, the Club’s Director of Development and Communications. Prior to join the Boys & Girls Club, McKenzie had career opportunities that included serving as Chief Executive Officer of McKenzie of Vermont, General Counsel of the Vermont State Colleges and Chair of Central Vermont Public Service.
“However, it is the Club that has transformed me as a person,” McKenzie said. “To be part of something bigger than yourself, in service to our youth, makes you realize that you are the caretaker of an important legacy that must be passed on in the best shape possible. I hope I have done that.”
Among her many accolades, in 2014 she received Champlain College's Distinguished Citizen award.
“I absolutely love the Club and am so proud to be part of its success over the last decade helping kids in our community,” McKenzie said. “I know it is a good time to pass the torch because the Club is strong, with tremendous staff, board and community support. I will miss the kids and my colleagues at the Club, but I am also excited to discover the next chapter in my life.”
She told VBM: "When I came to the Burlington Boys & Girls Club I fell deeply in love with their mission. I wanted to do whatever I could to make the club strong. Part of that is doing a leadership change when it is strong and the club and leadership is now very strong, with a strong board and staff. I am overjoyed that the board has promoted Tanya to be the next executive director of the Burlington Boys 7 Girls Club."
“We thank Mary Alice for her unwaivering commitment to the children and youth of Burlington, said Board Chair Brian Waxler. “She and her staff are responsible for changing so many lives in this community and we are all richer for her service.”
“We also are incredibly pleased to be able to continue with another outstanding leader in Tanya Benosky,” he said. “Tanya is the right person at the right time to take over leadership of the Club, allowing a seamless transition for the kids we serve and the community at large.”
Benosky joined the Club in 2008 as Finance Director and became the Director of Development and Communications in 2013.
“Tanya is so well qualified on all aspects of running the Club, from extensive experience in fundraising, to deep knowledge of operations, to already possessing the respect of staff,” McKenzie said. “The Club is in great hands with Tanya as Executive Director.”
Benosky is a CPA with an MBA from Simmons School of Management. She worked with McSoley, McCoy & Company as a Tax Manager. She also worked at Harvard University as the budget officer and ran her own consulting business prior to joining the Club in 2008.
“I am excited about this opportunity and am grateful to Mary Alice for her mentorship and friendship over the years,” Benosky said. “I look forward to making the Club even stronger and more integral to the lives of the children in our community who need us the most.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Burlington provides a safe, supportive and educational environment for more than 1,000 youth in our community. The Club serves all children but especially those who need us most. The Club offers year-round programming during out of school hours in three core areas: Health & Athletics; Career Readiness & Life Skills; and Arts & Technology. Every day, 250 Club members come to the Club for food, community, homework help, tutoring, and positive adult mentoring all within the safety of three sites in the Old North End of Burlington.