Vermont Business MagazineWith support from the Vermont Community Foundation, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board has invited leaders representing 25 non-profit organizations and state agencies to participate in the VHCB Leadership Project. VHCB’s Leadership Project aims to build and strengthen collaboration among those leading the future of housing and conservation work in Vermont. Four day-long events over the next 18 months are designed to create a learning community and provide training on topics including social justice, equity, intergenerational communication, the legislative process, and leadership.
The new group got together for the first time in late April. Kate McCarthy, Sustainable Communities Program Director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council, is excited to participate,“We’ve only had one meeting so far, but it’s already clear how enriching it will be to connect with housing and conservation leaders from throughout the state - it’s an incredibly talented group. Learning about each other’s work and the movement’s history will help us all build the energy, relationships, and perspectives we need to keep Vermont in the lead when it comes to sustaining our land and communities, and I’m very grateful to VHCB for the opportunity."
An inaugural group of 20 individuals completed VHCB’s Leadership Project in 2016-2017. In addition to the group activities, VHCB provided mini-grants to encourage collaborative projects featuring innovative new ideas.One mini-grant was awarded to The Trust for Public Lands for a project to provide opportunities for children from affordable housing developments to visit conserved lands and learn about the natural world.
A second group, led by Mike DeBonis, Executive Director of the Green Mountain Club, designed an on-going Leadership Academy to promote continued connection and information sharing among the initial group of participants
DeBonis said, “Finding the time and resources for meaningful professional development is hard. With VHCB’s help, the Leadership Academy provides housing and conservation professionals with opportunities to build their skillset and grow their professional network.”
2018-2019 Participants
Colby Benjamin, Director of Property Management, Addison County Community Trust
Jason Buss, Director of Finance, Green Mountain Club
Megan Chapman, Conservation Project Manager, Upper Valley Land Trust
Nick Charest, Property Manager, Shires Housing
Alli Compagna, RCPP Project Coordinator, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Allison Dudley, Chief Financial Officer, Downstreet Housing & Community Development
Ginger Gaudette, Property Manager, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
Gustave Goodwin, Conservation Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy
Bob Heiser, Champlain Valley Regional Director, Vermont Land Trust
Anna Herman, Community Relations Specialist, Champlain Housing Trust
Kerrie Lohr, Public Relations Manager, Lamoille Housing Partnership
Guy Maguire, Programs Director, South Hero Land Trust
Quin Mann, Environmental Officer, ACCD
Kate McCarthy, Sustainable Communities Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Lydia Menendez, Assistant Director, Vermont Rivers Conservancy
Brian Pickard, Chief Operating Officer, Rural Edge
Ari Rockland-Miller, Senior Agricultural Development Coordinator, Agency of Agriculture
Lisa Ryan, Field Services Representative, Preservation Trust of Vermont
Eric Schmitt, Vice President of Asset Management, Housing Vermont
Nikitta Seagren, Operations and Occupancy Coordinator, Housing Trust of Rutland County
Shelby Semmes, Vermont/New Hampshire Program Director, Trust for Public Lands
Kate Sudoff, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks & Recreation
RJ Thompson, Executive Director, Vermont Huts Association
Kathryn Titus, Administrator, Cathedral Square Senior Living
Matt Williams, Executive Director, Catamount Trail Association
Source: VHCB