Members of the 2024 class of Southern Vermont Emerging Leaders — 24 young adults who share a commitment to shaping the future of the state's Bennington and Windham regions — were recognized in May by the Southern Vermont Young Professionals and the Shires Young Professionals at the seventh annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit.
Individuals were selected based on their work as community leaders and volunteers, and for their professional accomplishments and commitment to serving the region. Many of the honorees grew up in southern Vermont and chose to stay or return because of their fierce love for the area. An equal number are fairly new to Vermont and have sought out opportunities to support and enhance the communities they’ve so quickly fallen in love with.
All will be nominated for the VermontBiz Rising Star awards. They are:
Sarah Albright, Bennington; Amber Arnold, Newfane; Nicole Awwad, Brattleboro; Kate Barry, Brattleboro; Tom Brewton, Brattleboro; Jake Bursky, Brattleboro; William Greer, Bennington; and Caroline Hannon, Brattleboro.
Also: Katie Hughes, Brattleboro; Marion Major, Westminster; Glen Merrill, Whitingham; Naomi Parekh, Bennington (pictured); Marissa Peck, Brattleboro; Kris Plante, Vernon; Jen Rodriguez, Arlington; and Sage Ruth, Brattleboro.
Also: Sayed Shirshah Sadat, Bennington; Pearl Schramm, Bennington; Kora Skeele, Putney Beth Sturgeon, Pownal; Elijah Summers, Halifax Morgan Wilbur, Grafton Courtnay Wilson, Bennington; and Rachel Worthington, Westminster.