Howard Center in Burlington has appointed Miriam Novotny, MSOD, as its new Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO). In this role, she will oversee the organization’s people strategy and operations, leading efforts to enhance workplace culture and the employee experience, support employee well-being, and ensure a resilient, engaged, and supported workforce.
People in the news
Burlington-based The Steps to End Domestic Violence team is pleased to announce Lizzy Lyons as their Executive Director. Lizzy has been doing trauma-informed work in Vermont for nearly two decades. She has most recently supported Vermont children and youth as a program director at the Vermont Network and we are more than excited to welcome her to our team here at Steps!
JK Adams, a celebrated name in high-quality, Vermont-made wooden kitchenware in Dorset, has announced the appointment of Don Swanson II as Senior Vice President & General Manager, effective February 2, 2026. Adam Siegel, who has been serving as President/CEO, will then become the Vice President, Sales.
Vikas Anand has been appointed Dean of the University of Vermont's Grossman School of Business, bringing extensive experience in business school administration, strategic program development, accreditation, and global engagement to UVM’s nationally ranked business school. Dr.
Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is pleased to announce the addition of Makenna Hubert, as their new Health Careers Coordinator. Makenna, a native Vermonter, brings a wealth of skills to this position. She studied history at Endicott College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health at Boston University.
Local Motion, Vermont’s statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization, has six new board members: Carlton Bonilla of Winooski (pictured), Scott Cone of Pomfret, Marlon Fisher of Winooski, Mohsen Ghasemizade of Burlington, Mary Still of Winooski, and Adrian Tanguay of Essex Junction. Suzanne Kelley of Colchester is now serving as Board Chair.
The Board of Directors of Union Bankshares, Inc. has appointed Steven P. Cote, President of Chalmers Insurance Group, to the Union Bank Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026. Cote of Conway, NH, joined Chalmers Insurance Group in 2000 and, in 2014, became the first non-family member in the organization's 158-year history to assume the role of president.
Elijah Lemieux with the Vermont Rural Water Association (VRWA) in Essex Junction has been recognized by the EPA for his outstanding service to Vermont’s wastewater facilities and operators. He is especially known for his unique ability to teach math through commonsense, real-world scenarios and for providing one-on-one exam preparation and math review sessions at facilities.
The Intervale Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable, community-based food system, recently welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors: David Keck, Hannah Lebel (pictured), Lucie Lehmann, Lauren Masseria, Johanna Schneider, Eric Sorkin and David Torres.
Adam Locklin, former executive director at the Vermont Technology Alliance, began work in January as Vermont district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. A combat veteran of the Marine Corps, he is a graduate of Park University in Missouri and holds an MBA from the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business.
Uli Donohue, a real estate adviser at Engel & Völkers Americas, and Riley Karl, owner of Riley Karl Photography, have been hired as assistant directors at the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. Donohue will focus on operations and Karl on sales and marketing.
Seth Davis has joined the commercial real estate team at V/T Commercial. As a fifth-generation Vermonter, Seth Davis brings a specialized focus to V/T Commercial, providing sophisticated solutions for commercial leasing, sales, and investment properties across the state.