Photo Credit: Johannes Otter
Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government has announced the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2026:
Kristin Blodgett, North Ferrisburgh, Center for an Agricultural Economy
Brandolyn Bradley, St. Johnsbury, University of Vermont Medical Center
Kristin Cantu, Montpelier, Greenway Institute
Jaclyn Dagger, Stockbridge, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative
Christopher Damiani, Burlington, Green Mountain Transit,
Jarrett Dury-Agri, Waterbury Center, Planetary At Institute
Kate Eberle, Burlington, Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
Christine Emmons, Lyndonville, Burke Mountain Club
Erin Flynn, Shelburne, Department of Vermont Health Access
Isabel Gogarty, Middlebury, Office of Vermont Attorney General
Kristina James, Barre, State of Vermont, Economic services
Joe Nusbaum, Pelham, MA, Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Merideth Plumpton, Colchester, Vermont Department of Health
Daniel Quipp, Brattleboro, Southeastern Vermont Community Action
Monique Sullivan, Bellows Falls, Vermont Department of Corrections
Ella Thodal, Montpelier, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
Reneé Weeks, West Newbury, Agency of Human Services
As the culminating event in their 9-month leadership journey, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2026 celebrated their past year with Graduation at Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes. Family, friends, colleagues, and alumni joined the cohort for a celebratory graduation luncheon and ceremony at the end of May.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Beth Sightler, CEO of Washington County Mental Health Services. She discussed her path to leadership, which she describes as unconventional, and the importance of nuanced perspectives and solutions when problem solving as a leader.
The Snelling Center was honored to recognize Diane Lanpher (VLI 2012) as the 18th annual Excellence in Leadership Award recipient. A dedicated public servant, Diane served 16 years in the VT House of Representatives, serving on and as the chair of both the Appropriations and Transportation committees. 16 years of service in the Legislature saw Diane tackling child protections, climate solutions, affordable housing, childcare access, stabilizing public employee pensions–and the list goes on. Currently, Diane is the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Green Mountain Care Board, acting as a liaison between the Legislature and the care board.
VLI Director Jody Fried then awarded the graduation plaques to the 17 members of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2026.
The VLI Class of 2026 shared some group reflections in the form of poetry, each member writing a short piece about the 17 days they shared together before meeting finally at Basin Harbor. The poems moved from tentative hellos to personal and professional values; from the marble halls of the Statehouse the downtown of Burlington.
As the 31st cohort of the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Class of 2026 joins a professional network of over 1100 Snelling Center alumni, including more than 725 VLI graduates who continue to engage with Vermont’s local and statewide communities, positively impacting 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 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.
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Vermont Business Magazine