- Each workshop will begin with a panel discussion of local “experts” who will talk about the reality of engaging in and supporting rural small business on the front lines.
- Next, researchers and local “experts” will engage in small group visioning sessions to explore future collaborations, between Vermont and other states (and countries).
- The workshop will wrap up with a large group sharing of learning and plans from the small groups, and development action items and opportunities for future collaboration.
Community-integrated Workshops
Over the three days of the conference, three 90-minute “community-integrated” workshops are planned that provide opportunities for university researchers and teachers to meet with folks who engage in, provide support to, and influence policy for entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business in Vermont, with the goal of co-creation, mutual learning, and community building.
Workshop 1 | Sustainable Economic and Social Infrastructure
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 1 on developing “sustainable economic and social infrastructure” through partnerships of local communities, financial capital providers, and local high-tech and main street businesses is a collaboration of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Vermont Technology Alliance, Vermont Futures Project, the Flexible Capital Fund, RuralWorks, plus the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies and Community Development & Applied Economics Department.
Kevin Chu Executive Director Vermont Futures Project Kevin Chu is the son of immigrants who was given opportunities to thrive while growing up in Vermont. His work is focused on giving back to Vermont by fostering opportunities for future generations. |
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Michael Moser Center for Rural Studies University of Vermont Michael Moser is a research specialist at the Center for Rural Studies at UVM. He utilizes community development framing in his collaborative, applied projects to support rural community improvement. |
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Janice St. Onge President Flexible Capital Fund L3C Janice St. Onge is President of the Flexible Capital Fund, an impact investment fund providing risk capital to New England’s food systems, forest products and climate change solutions businesses. |
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Louisa Schibli Chief Engagement Officer RuralWorks Partners LLC Louisa Schibli is dedicated to supporting female founders, female investors, and all things rural, driven by a passion for making a positive impact on communities and fostering sustainable change. |
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Jeff Couture Executive Director Vermont Technology Alliance Jeff Couture is the executive director of the Vermont Technology Alliance, a statewide business association with a mission to support, promote, and grow technology businesses and jobs in Vermont. |
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Jenna Koloski Community Engagement and Policy Director Vermont Council on Rural Development Jenna Koloski is the Community Engagement and Policy Director of the VT Council on Rural Development, facilitating community and public dialogue in support of local democracy, leadership, and vitality |
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Workshop 2 | Diversity, Inclusivity, and Small Business
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 2 on “diversity, inclusivity, and small business” is a collaboration of Burlington VT’s Business and Workforce Development office, the Vermont Small Business Development Center the Center for Women & Enterprise, Mercy Connections, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and the Vermont Professionals of Color Network. This workshop will engage representatives of small business development programs, such as the Vermont Women's Business Center and the Community Navigator Pilot Program, to share lessons learned and visioning improved support for underserved and diverse businesses.
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Johanna Schneider Business and Workforce Development Office City of Burlington VT Johanna Schneider is the Small Business Support Specialist for the City of Burlington. She provides technical assistance to entrepreneurs at all stages to help them realize their business dreams. |
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Linda Rossi State Director Vermont Small Business Development Center Linda Rossi, a former project manager and business manager, leads the VtSBDC statewide advising team in supporting Vermont’s entrepreneurs and small business owners to start, grow, thrive, and transition. |
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Gwen Pokalo VP of Policy & Practice and Director Vermont Women’s Business Center Center for Women & Enterprise Gwen Pokalo is the Director of the Center for Women & Enterprise Vermont. She's wild about walking tours, emerging artisans, and sustainable textiles. |
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Claire Wheeler Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Mercy Connections Claire Wheeler (she/her) is the Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship at Mercy Connections, where she provides education and training on business ownership for historically excluded people. |
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Weiwei Wang Executive Director Community and Policy | Co-Founder Vermont Professionals of Color Network Weiwei Wang is co-Executive Director and co-Founder of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC). The organization can be found at www.vtpoc.net. |
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Ruchi Nadkarni Ruchi Nadkarni is a social impact management consultant and a board member at Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, exploring equity frameworks and strategies for marginalized businesses in Vermont. |
Workshop 3 | Entrepreneurial Hubs & Platforms
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 3 on “entrepreneurial hubs & platforms” was inspired by UVM’s Office of Engagement and Institute for Rural Partnerships. Three regional hubs - The Space on Main (Bradford VT), Black River Innovation Campus (Springfield VT), and Radically Rural at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship (Keene NH) – one builder of regional hubs – the Center on Rural Innovation - and two startup platforms - Launch VT and Myti – will discuss how they connect and promote local entrepreneurs.
Monique Priestley Executive Director & Founder The Space on Main Monique Priestley blends her experience in technology and volunteer service leadership to connect and convene resources around innovative solutions to rural economic and community development issues. |
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May Erouart Research Analyst Center on Rural Innovation May Erouart supports knowledge-gathering research projects on rural America. Previously, as a community manager, she guided communities in developing strategies for thriving tech economy ecosystems. |
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Vincent Fusca Executive Director Black River Innovation Campus Vin Fusca is a retired Marine Corps officer and health tech enthusiast who is focused on developing technology and tech-enabled businesses in rural Vermont to support its economic survival. |
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Julianna Dodson Deputy Executive Director & Radically Rural Director Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship Julianna Dodson is the Deputy Director for the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship in Keene, NH, and leads their national programming called Radically Rural. |
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Bill Calfee Founder & Chief Visionary Officer Myti Bill Calfee is a serial entrepreneur using the scale of technology combined with personal relationships to benefit people, their local communities, and their local economies. |
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Lauren Bass Executive Director Launch VT Lauren Bass, currently Executive Director of LaunchVT, is both a UVM SI-MBA ‘20 alum and an experienced international entrepreneur |
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