Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government has announced the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2025:
Ingrid Barcelo, Essex, University of Vermont
Ana Burke, Huntington, Vermont Department for Children and Families
Abi Campbell, St. Johnsbury, Davis Legal Solutions/ St. Johnsbury School District
Emily Cohen, Waterbury Center, Vermont Foodbank
Lee Dorf, Colchester, Vermont Department of Mental Health
Emma Fedorchuk, Burlington, Vermont Department of Finance and Management
Jen Garabedian, Montpelier, Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
Staci Grove, Essex Junction, University of Vermont Health Network
Chris Haessly, Burlington, Catamount Healthcare Solutions, LLC
Alyssa Johnson, Waterbury, Vermont Council on Rural Development
Jamie Lerner, Rutland, Johnson Family Foundation
Jill Martin Diaz, Burlington, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project
Gillian Morgan, Colchester, Vermont Department of Health
Sam Nicolai, Weybridge, Casella Waste Systems
Laurie O’Hanlon, Winooski, Champlain Community Services
Andrea Otto, St. Johnsbury, Catamount Arts
Stina Robison, Fairlee, Independent Consultant
Christine Ryan, Underhill Center, Department of Vermont Health Access
Emily Wheeler Reynolds, Graniteville, Wheeler Environmental Services, LLC
Geoff Wilcox, West Berlin, Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity
Janalee Willett, Barre, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
Andy Wood, Waterbury, Vermont Economic Development Authority
As the culminating event in their 9-month leadership journey, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2025 celebrated their past year with Graduation at Basin Harbor in Vergennes in early June. Friends, family members, colleagues, and alumni joined the cohort for a celebratory graduation luncheon and ceremony.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Robert Miller (VLI ‘98), President and COO of EastRise Credit Union. Miller shared lessons learned during the merging of NEFCU and VSECU into EastRise. He emphasized the importance of transparency in decision making, both about the decisions and why they were made. He explained that navigating change can be challenging, but it is important to develop new relationships and work together to make the right decisions. He urged folks to assume positive intent, be thoughtful, be human, be real, and share that realness with others. Leaders must embrace change and empower people around them to make decisions based on fact and perspective.
The Snelling Center was honored to recognize Shalini Suryanrayana (VLI ‘20) as the 17th Annual Vermont Excellence in Leadership Award recipient. Throughout the past several years, Suryanarayana has been a trailblazer, adding positions in DEI to state departments. She now serves as the Director of Education and Outreach for the State of Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, serves on two key gubernatorial commissions, and works on the IDEAL Vermont initiative to help municipalities advance racial equity across the state.
She leads with integrity, humility, and joy, centering the stories and experiences of those impacted. Suryanarayana is a beloved member of the Snelling Center’s team, bringing her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion to all of our leadership programs. Participants note that her kind, open, understanding energy allows them to engage in this difficult work.
VLI Director Jody Fried then awarded the graduation plaques to the 22 members of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2025.
The VLI Class of 2025 led the remaining portion of the ceremony, with cohort members thanking each other for their participation, and sharing thoughts and praise about each other. The laughter and tears made clear the close connections that had formed over the course of the program.
As the 30th cohort of the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Class of 2025 joins a professional network of over 1100 Vermont Leadership Network alumni, including more than 725 VLI graduates who are positively influencing Vermont’s future in business, public policy, education, community development and a wide range of volunteer and non-profit sector roles.
To learn more about the Vermont Leadership Institute and the Snelling Center’s other professional development programs, please visit www.snellingcenter.org or call 802-859-3090. The application for the Class of 2027 is now open.
The Snelling Center for Government is a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to fostering responsible and ethical civic leadership, encouraging public service by private citizens, and promoting informed citizen participation in shaping public policy in Vermont. For more information, please visit our website at www.snellingcenter.org.
June 6, 2025 – The Snelling Center for Government
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