People in the news

The Vermont Democratic Party announced it has hired Jim Dandeneau as interim executive director for a six-month period beginning May 23. He joins Coordinated Campaign Director Elliot Kaufmann, Data Director Madison Thomas, Senate Democratic Caucus Aide Sally Short and House Democratic Caucus Campaign Director Cameron McClimans.

State Representative Kathleen James and three other women from southern Vermont were honored May 11 at the inaugural Women in Leadership Luncheon at the Wilson House in Dorset, sponsored by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Berkshire Bank.

Nationally recognized fundraiser and advancement leader Monica Delisa has been named president and chief executive officer of the University of Vermont Foundation, effective June 1. Delisa joins the foundation from the University of South Carolina, where she served as vice president for development.

Lisa L Keysar, president and chief executive officer of Union Mutual Insurance Company, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of Special Olympics Vermont.

Michael Seaver has been named Vermont regional president and head of commercial banking across the state for M&T Bank, a role he has held with People's United Bank since 2009. Seaver will ensure collaboration across all lines of business and community banking activities, providing value for customers, businesses and communities across the region.

Paul Cillo, founding executive director and president of the Public Assets Institute, will step down from his post at the end of 2022, the organization’s board of directors announced. Cillo has led the think tank, which focuses on advancing racial, social and economic justice, for 19 years.

Jason Dohaney, an investment adviser at MountainOne Investments in Williamstown, MA, has joined the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation Board of Directors.

Gifford Health Care, a community hospital in Randolph, with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont, recently welcomed Hillary McAllister and Nicolas Nyirjesy to its psychiatry and counseling department. Both will be filling social worker roles.

Green Mountain United Way has welcomed Blaire Haggett, former manager at Onion River Crossroads, to its Working Bridges resource coordination team. Haggett brings to the organization more than 12 years' experience in advocacy and guidance to those experiencing hardships and struggling with financial and social challenges.

Norwich University faculty members Travis Morris and Tara Kulkarni have been selected to attend the Army War College National Security Seminar June 6 to 9 in Carlisle, PA.

Emergency department nurse Kathleen Cloud recently took home honors as the April recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care. Cloud was described as "one of the nicest, (most) accurate and caring nurses" by one of her two nominators for the award, and "beyond professional" by the second.

Vermont Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, VDH public health nurse Wendy Walsh and the Vermont National Guard's COVID-19 mapping team will be recognized May 10 as public health champions for their extraordinary contributions to public health during the coronavirus pandemic.