Lake Champlain Chamber Announces Leadership Champlain Class of 2027

Burlington, Vt. (September 14, 2026) – This week, 35 professionals from across Northwest Vermont will walk into Basin Harbor knowing the region, but not yet knowing each other. Nine months later, they'll walk out as Leadership Champlain graduates, having spent the better part of a year learning how Vermont actually works and building the relationships to help lead it forward.

The Lake Champlain Chamber is pleased to introduce the incoming Class of 2027:

Will Fleming, Caregiver Patient Connection

Kelton Bogasky, Casella Waste Management

Natalie Glynn, Cathedral Square

Michael Blow, Champlain Cable

Richard Trahan, Champlain Cable

Kayli Barber, Chittenden Solid Waste District

Libby Learned-Connors, City of South Burlington-Police Department

Erinn Blow, Community Bank

Hayden Jones, Community Bank

Jocelyn Geiger, Davis & Hodgdon

Noah Greenstein, Dinse PC

Gina Puls, Downs Rachlin Martin

Jin-yong Breault, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP

Ryan Lawrence, GlobalFoundries

Mike Springer, Green Mountain Legacy

Dan Belarmino, Green Mountain Power

Elisabeth Ford, Hanson + Doremus

Matthew Roth, Lawson’s Finest Liquids

Erin Perrin, M&T Bank

Robert Smith, PC Construction

Angélina Debeaupuis, Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC

Nina Dinan, PT360

Carlos Aponte, Self-employed

Addie Cusick-Loecher, Sheehey Furlong & Behm

Peter Wright, Spherion

Brittany Nevins, State of Vermont

Charlotte Safran, State of Vermont, Department of Health

Reagan Dufresne, The Turning Point Center of Chittenden County

Megan Zimmerman, University of Vermont

Rollie Kielman, UVM Health

Ben Plotzker, VEIC

Chris Trombly, Vermont Gas Systems, Inc.

Mary Bouchard, Vermont Gas Systems, Inc.

Jillian Scannell, Vermont Works for Women

Maia Hanron, Working Bridges Program, United Way of Northwest Vermont and Green Mountain United Way

Established in 1988, Leadership Champlain is a professional development and community engagement program with a goal to develop informed, skilled leaders, foster cross-sector connections, and deepen understanding of regional issues.

"This program is as much for people who've never left Vermont as it is for people who just got here," said Alex Bunten, director of workforce and education at the Lake Champlain Chamber. "Talent alone isn't enough these days. You need relationships, you need to understand how the systems actually work, and you need to know how to lead in different contexts. Leadership Champlain helps build all of that, so longtime Vermonters and newcomers alike can put down deeper roots."

The cohort's first stop is the two-day Opening Retreat at Basin Harbor, September 17-18, where participants will lay the foundation for their nine months together—participating in trainings on CliftonStrengths and cultural competency as well as team building.

From there, the cohort heads into eight full-day seminars over the coming months, each one built around a theme. From healthcare to economic development, public safety to arts and culture, each day is designed to show how those large topics connect and relate. The seminars also put participants directly in front of the region's leading voices in government, business, and nonprofit work.

This year, the Chamber is proud to recognize Community Bank as Presenting Sponsor and Leonardo’s Pizza and Davis and Hodgdon as Community Champions. Their investment helps ensure the program remains strong, accessible, and deeply connected to the community.

“For almost four decades, Leadership Champlain has empowered professionals to step up, collaborate, and make a meaningful difference across Vermont,” said Cathy Davis, president and CEO of the Lake Champlain Chamber. “This incoming class brings remarkable passion and diverse perspectives, and I look forward to seeing how their leadership will help shape our region’s future.”

To find out more about the program visit LeadershipChamplain.org.