United Way of Northwest Vermont, an organization dedicated to improving lives in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, elected new leadership and seven new members to its board of directors in May.
By unanimous vote, Michell Langlais, vice president of sales at Westport Hospitality, and Phet Keomanyvanh, acting director of racial equity, inclusion and belonging for the city of Burlington, were elected president and vice president, respectively, of the 20-member board. Langlais is a founding member of United Way’s Women United and serves on the board of trustees at Mercy Connections and RunVermont. Keomanyvanh is a co-founder and board member of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network.
“I have been involved with United Way for 20 years and have seen it grow from a ‘community chest’ of resources to a committed organization bringing together business, government, nonprofits and individuals to create lasting change in northwest Vermont,” Langlais said. “I am both proud and honored to play an integral part in United Way’s mission to improve lives by building a healthy and strong community for all.”
“It’s an honor to have such a rich history with United Way of Northwest Vermont from my start as a staff member to serving on the board,” said Keomanyvanh. “I’m pleased to be part of an organization that continues to be a movement to transform communities and enrich lives for the better.”
Langlais and Kemanyvanh will be joined on the board by new members Gamal Alsalahi, branch manager at Citizens Bank in Burlington; Lauren Dees-Erickson, technical adviser for FHI 360, a nonprofit human-development organization based in North Carolina; Joe Halko, director of community relations at Northwestern Counseling & Support Services in St Albans; Adrianne Johnson Ross, president and chief operating officer at University of Vermont Health Network — Home Health & Hospice; Evelyn Monje, a student at the University of Vermont and an antiracism advocate; Andrea Patrick-Baudet, CEO of Franklin County Home Health Agency in St Albans; and Sarah Russell, special assistant to end homelessness for the city of Burlington.