Seven Days, Vermont’s free newsweekly, has added five talented professionals to its editorial, design and human resource departments. The new employees include:
Molly Walsh, Staff Writer
Molly is an award-winning reporter with more than 25 years of experience. She spent most of her career at the Burlington Free Press, writing news stories and features on a range of topics including education, outdoors, culture, crime and lifestyle trends. Molly writes both news and features for Seven Days and for its parenting magazine, Kids VT. Otherwise, she loves to be outside — walking, playing tennis or picking Japanese beetles off her rose bushes.
Kymelya Sari, Staff Writer
Kymelya recently earned a master's degree from Columbia University School of Journalism. Upon graduation, she accepted a six-month reporting fellowship at Seven Days, with a focus on covering Vermont’s immigrant and refugee communities. Prior to attending Columbia, Kymelya studied history and political science at the National University of Singapore, her native country. She speaks four languages and has written for the Jordan Times and the website saferbusinesstravelforwomen.com. When Kymelya’s not chasing her next story, she loves reading and traveling.
Kristen Ravin, Calendar Writer
Kristen comes to Seven Days with a diverse professional background. She previously worked as a legal assistant for a Philadelphia law firm, as a staff reporter for a daily newspaper in Michigan, as a barista at Muddy Waters in Burlington, and freelance writing for Seven Days. In her new role, Kristen manages the Seven Days calendar, writing zippy listings and event spotlights to entice Vermonters to experience all the state has to offer. And she takes her own advice, whether it’s training for her next half marathon, creating costumes for Spielpalast Cabaret or catching a live show.
Lisa Matanle, HR Generalist
Lisa grew up in Minnesota and came to Vermont to earn her master’s degree in business administration and management, with a human resource concentration, at Saint Michael’s College. Over the past 10 years, she’s held HR positions at HowardCenter, North American Breweries (Magic Hat), Dealer.com and, most recently, Bruegger’s Bagels. At Seven Days, Lisa handles employee relations, benefits administration and new-hire orientations. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her family.
Kirsten Cheney, Employment Designer
Kirsten has 20 years of experience in the graphic design field. After graduating from Emerson College in Boston, Mass., she worked for Fidelity Investments, Directech/eMerge Marketing and the Gillette Company, where she served as the lead designer on the launch of Venus Razors for Women. Since moving to Vermont, Kirsten has worked for the Essex Reporter and the Colchester Sun and freelanced for national and local clients. At Seven Days, she is the sole designer responsible for employment advertising. Outside of work, Kirsten likes to work on DIY projects and spend time with her family.
Da Capo Publishing Inc., dba Seven Days, was founded by Pamela Polston and Paula Routly in 1995. In addition to its five free publications, the company also produces two annual events: Vermont Restaurant Week and the Vermont Tech Jam, a job fair and tech expo.
In 2000, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce selected then-5-year-old Seven Days as Business of the Year. Eight years later, the Burlington Business Association did the same, citing the company's exemplary business practices, contributions to the community, and promotion of a positive image for Burlington, as well as business success. In 2013, Editor & Publisher selected Seven Days for inclusion in its annual feature, “10 Newspapers That Do It Right.” This year, Polston and Routly were inducted into the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit: Matthew Thorsen