Congratulations to the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2022!

We celebrated their leadership journey with Session 8 and Graduation at Basin Harbor on June 3 & 4.

First up was a fun-filled day on the creative sector in Vermont, a fitting way to tie all the sessions
together since arts, humanities, culture and more have no boundaries and intersect so many other
systems. Filmmaker and producer Bess O’Brien (VLI ’02) joined for a showing and Q&A on her latest
work, Listen Up, an original music on current issues facing Vermont teens. Molly Stone (VLI ’20) provided
an overview of the creative sector, and Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup (VLI ’04) was instrumental in
designing and facilitating the afternoon. As part of their pre-engagement work, associates read The
Most Costly Journey, the 2022 Vermont Reads selection. A panel with many of the project’s creators
provided additional background on the entire process, followed by a comic workshop. Over the course
of the afternoon, associates channeled their creativity, putting pen to paper with a warm up on inner
animals and ultimately produced a story panel with popular themes including the VLI experience, family
or work scenarios. The celebrations kicked into high gear with a cruise on Lake Champlain and a pool-
side picnic dinner before turning more reflective with the traditional artifact sharing to sum up the VLI
experience.

For the first time in three years, we were excited to welcome graduates’ families, colleagues and friends
to the culminating Graduation Luncheon, along with faculty members and former graduates. We filled
the Town Hall with chatter and smiles and a full agenda of festivities. For the third year in a row, we
were delighted to have Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity, provide Opening Remarks, in
addition to a pre-graduation conversation with the cohort. Xusana congratulated the graduates for their
completion of VLI as we all benefit from their experiences and learnings and offered that the best
leaders help guide us through the unknowns and uncomfortable work. Sarah Waring (VLI ’09), USDA
Director for Rural Development, served as the keynote speaker reflecting on the social change that is all
around us and the pressing need to step up with recognition of the interconnected nature of today’s
challenges. Sarah challenged the Class of 2022 to lean into the complexity of the systems and surround
themselves with others who do the same to create a connection of resilient leaders who think in new
ways, working to overcome such entrenched silos. In addition to the traditional presentation of the
annual Excellence in Leadership Award (congratulations, Sarah Copeland Hanzas, VLI ’06), we were also
honored to recognize Hal Colston (VLI ’04) as he retires and embarks on a new adventure (see separate
articles). Prior to presenting graduates with their plaques and Snelling Center pins, VLI Director Jody
Fried summarized the year’s journey, highlighting topics and faculty that all contributed to the unique
VLI experience. Throughout it all, the VLI Class of 2022 remained highly engaged, deepened their
understandings, asked thoughtful and probing questions, created lifelong friends and much, much more.
Congrats once again to these 23 amazing leaders who have joined the ever-growing alumni family and
are constantly working to improve their organizations, communities and Vermont.

Heather Allin, Lebanon, NH, Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
Nicolas Anzalone, St. Johnsbury, The Achievement Network
Gaston Bathalon, Troy, Troy Selectboard and School Board
Robyn Baylor, South Burlington, Agency of Human Services
Justin Brown, Winooski, Sheehey Furlong & Behm PC
Steve Cash, Ripton, Vermont Agency of Agriculture
Alicia Cooper, Charlotte, Department of Vermont Health Access
Elizabeth Craib, Hartland, Granite United Way
Christle Davis, Groton, Family Center of Washington County
Nicole DiDomenico, Berlin, Norwich University
Chelsea Dubie, Georgia, Vermont Department of Health
Joy Dubin Grossman, South Burlington, Town of Hinesburg
Carmina Garciadealba, Springfield, HireAbility Vermont
Anna Howell, Lincoln, Mt. Abraham Unified School District
Peter Kerson, Jericho, Greensea Systems
Rebecca McGregor, St. Johnsbury, Lyndon Institute
Patrick Murray, Essex Junction, Firstlight Communications
Meghan O'Rourke, Burlington, CCTV Town Meeting TV
Margaret Pinello-White, Chelsea, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Adam Poulin, Essex Junction, Vermont Department of Health
Leah Rexford, South Wheelock, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
Tom Rogers, Stowe, The Nature Conservancy
Rebecca Sameroff, Montpelier, Vermont Department of Taxes