The newly renamed Wellbeing Economy Alliance of Vermont (WEAV) has hired Drusilla “Dru” Roessle as program manager for the initiative. As program manager for WEAV, Roessle will support member organizations and diverse partners to align efforts that transform Vermont’s economy to one that centers the wellbeing of people and the planet. Supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, she brings more than 10 years of experience in facilitation and collaboration for systems change.
In relation to the role, Dru said, "WEAV embodies the belief that Vermont's economy should be designed to foster a high quality of life for everyone who lives here. I know this belief is widely shared, and I'm excited to connect with people across the state advancing economic justice and community resilience in different ways and at different scales. At the heart of WEAV is an effort to find the common patterns in our visions for what can be possible in Vermont."
Roessle brings more than a decade of experience in facilitation, performance improvement, and systems change. Roessle has worked with community organizations, government agencies and philanthropic partners to align strategies and measures of success with organizational values and community goals. She played a key role in the passage of Vermont’s Outcomes of Well-Being law, in 2014 to establish a cross-sector, measurable agenda for Vermont, and has led statewide efforts to make data about wellbeing and government programs accessible for community organizing and planning.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and women’s and gender studies from the University of Vermont and a professional certificate in restorative justice from Vermont Law School. Roessle is currently pursuing a master’s degree in leadership for sustainability at UVM. She has served on several nonprofit boards focused on advancing wellbeing in Vermont, including the Vermont Women’s Fund Council, Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom, WholeHeart and Umbrella.