Speakers:
Get ready to immerse yourself in a day filled with opportunities to connect, learn and celebrate the vibrant business community of Vermont!
Explore our keynote speakers, moderators, panelists and
hosts that will engage you throughout the day to
REIMAGINE VERMONT BUSINESS for you!
Senator Peter Welch Luncheon: Fireside Chat
Kyle Clark
CEO & Founder of BETA Technologies
Kyle Clark is an aerospace engineer, pilot, and the founder and CEO of BETA Technologies, a Vermont-based company working to electrify aviation. Kyle and his team are focused on building solutions that move goods and people more safely, efficiently, and with minimal environmental impact to help shift the transportation paradigm and turn the corner on climate change. To do this, BETA is building innovative electric propulsion systems, electric; net-zero aircraft; and a cross-country, multi-modal charging infrastructure that powers electric transportation more broadly.
Prior to founding BETA, Kyle co-founded Venture.co and was Director of Engineering at Dynapower, where he and his team of programmers, engineers, and technicians developed a full line of inverters, pulse modulators, and control systems, and served as a founding partner and Vice President of Engineering at iTherm Technologies. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Kyle played right wing in the NHL’s Washington Capitals organization. He is a Certified Flight Instructor as well as a licensed commercial airplane and helicopter pilot. Kyle holds a degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Harvard University, where he studied flight dynamics and control algorithms.
Alex Hernandez
President, Champlain College
Alex Hernandez is the tenth president of Champlain College, a private independent college in Burlington, VT renowned for its innovative approach to getting students Ready. Champlain College is Building on Vermont’s Strengths through innovative pathways that prepare students for careers in Vermont’s leading industries and grow our economy. Prior to Champlain, Alex was the Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) and Vice Provost of Online Learning at the University of Virginia. He lives in Burlington with his wife Michelle and has twin sons in college.
Lucia Campriello
CEO, HULA
Lucia lives in Burlington’s South End neighborhood with her husband and two young daughters, where she and her family can often be found traveling as a four-pack between the bike path, beaches, playgrounds, waterfront, Centennial and Virtue fields and Bolton Valley Ski Resort (season depending)!
At Hula Lucia is focused on driving growth and impact in service of Hula’s mission to elevate Vermont entrepreneurs and start-ups and create community connections. Lucia enjoys most the opportunity to develop and contribute to high-performing teams of passionate, mission-driven people, and at Hula she is thrilled to be working in a broader ecosystem of people and organizations committed to a future in which Vermont enjoys a reputation nationwide as the premier home for growing innovative, competitive, sustainable businesses that generate economic opportunity for all.
Prior to Hula, Lucia was Chief Engagement Officer at Let’s Grow Kids where she successfully led an ambitious fundraising campaign and helped marshall the support of over 300 Vermont business and community leaders to pass the ground-breaking child care bill, Act 76.
Equally rewarding as her work, Lucia enjoys supporting high-impact organizations with meaningful missions specific to education and entrepreneurship, including serving as a Burlington School Commissioner since April-2022, on the Board of Directors at Generator, as a Trustee of Champlain College since October-2023, and as an employer advocate within Vermont’s child care campaign.
Sessions 1 & 2: Informative sessions on AI
Dave Gibson
President, Propeller Media Works & Accessibility Works
Dave started his web development agency Propeller 27 years ago in the days of 144 modems and AltaVista. At that time, many didn’t know what a website was but his wager paid off. Websites were not a fad. And neither was social media or mobile. Recently, foreseeing the demand for digital accessibility and ADA compliance of websites, SaaS and apps, he created a team of specialists who conduct audits for fortune 100s down to mom and pop e-tailers. As an early adopter he’s kept a strong eye on the horizon for what’s coming next, and right now “the next” is AI – the biggest “next” of all time.
Emelia Brogna
Founder and CEO, Wayfinder Wellness and Physical Therapy
As a leading Doctor of Physical Therapy and visionary entrepreneur, Dr. Emelia Brogna thrives at the intersection of cutting-edge therapeutic care and corporate wellness innovation. She owns and leads a high-demand private practice renowned for its exceptional outcomes, even in the most complex and challenging cases.
With a foundation built at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Emelia honed her expertise in acute injury recovery and Breast Cancer rehabilitation. Transitioning into outpatient therapy, she had the privilege of studying under the world-renowned Igor Burdenko, mastering the Burdenko method of aquatic therapy—a unique skill set that she continues to leverage for superior patient results.
In Vermont since 2009, Emelia further diversified her practice by pioneering the state’s first rehabilitation program for Lyme Disease, filling a crucial gap in care. She also became certified in the John Barnes Myofascial Release Method and completed a rigorous multi-year certification in Craniosacral Therapy, elevating her practice to include holistic and integrative care.
Emelia’s leadership extends beyond patient care. She is an expert in Employee and Corporate Wellness, offering transformative wellness solutions that enhance employee performance, reduce burnout, and improve overall health outcomes. Her holistic and proactive approach empowers organizations to foster healthier, more resilient workforces.
Whether delivering results in complex rehabilitation, telemedicine, or employee wellness, Emelia brings unparalleled dedication, skill, and innovation to every aspect of her work.
Lindsay DesLauriers
President and CEO, Bolton Valley Resort
Charismatic, pragmatic, and driven leader with business and policy experience, and a lifetime in the ski industry. Career highlights include passing impactful legislation through state lobbying, and taking Bolton Valley Resort back to family ownership and profitability.
Sara Mellinger
AI Implementation Strategist, OnLogic
Sara Mellinger has spent more than two decades in B2B technology, in engineering, marketing, and executive roles. She joined OnLogic in 2017 and went on to lead the global marketing team there for five years. In 2024 she shifted her focus to AI and applied her go-to-market expertise to launch an AI Consulting offering at OnLogic. She now works directly with customers to help them assess and implement the latest technological tools.
Prior to joining OnLogic, Sara worked at IBM, starting out as a Semiconductor Process Engineer. After earning an MBA, she held various marketing and strategy roles that spanned IBM’s portfolio of hardware, software and service offerings.
Sara is passionate about empowerment, communication and empathy. These are muscles she exercises daily, whether interacting with customers, colleagues, or her loving family of two teenagers, an incredibly supportive husband, and an adorable labrador retriever.
Session 3: The New Hybrid Workplace
Mara Neufeld Rivera
Head of People and Culture, Chroma Technology Corp
Mara is an executive people and culture leader and human resources strategist with a deep passion for helping organizations build best workplace cultures. Mara currently serves as Head of People and Culture at Chroma Technology Corp., a global, high-tech manufacturer of optics for the scientific and biomedical industries. Headquartered in Bellows Falls, VT, Chroma is 100% employee-owned, a Certified B Corporation, awarded the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year, Vermont Business Growth Award, and recognized over several years as a Best Places to Work in Vermont and Best for Workers by B Labs. Mara also currently serves as Board Chair of VBSR, as well as the Vermont State Council Director of SHRM. She holds an MS in Human Resources Management from the New School University, a BA in Communications from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a graduate of Leadership Upper Valley. Mara is a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) through SHRM and was named Vermont’s Human Resources Professional of the Year in 2020.
Michelle Arnold
Head of Talent, Fluency
Michelle Arnold serves as the Head of Talent at Fluency, a leading innovator in digital advertising management and automation solutions for organizations managing extensive digital media portfolios. With over twenty years of experience, she has effectively integrated her expertise in management, workforce development, recruitment, public affairs, and event planning to enhance diversity, streamline the hiring process, and elevate the overall candidate experience. Passionate about employee engagement, Michelle has introduced innovative programs that have significantly boosted morale and productivity within organizations.
Before becoming the Head of Talent at Fluency, Michelle led recruitment initiatives at Dealer Inspire, implementing a non-biased interview process and developing programs to hire individuals with disabilities, along with an internal GROW program focused on employee retention. Under her leadership, she hired over 400 individuals, achieving an impressive 90% retention rate. Previously, Michelle was Vice President at Morreale Communications, overseeing Account Management and Public Affairs campaigns in oral healthcare and major transportation projects in Illinois. Her advocacy efforts were key in changing legislation and building connections between the public, community leaders, and government officials.
Michelle resides in the Northwest side of Chicago with her husband and four children. She is an active volunteer in her community and church and a fierce advocate for inclusion for people with disabilities — and a lifelong Cubs fan!
Jacqueline Kahn
Vice President of Human Resources, NuHarbor Security.
Jackie (she/her) is Vice President of Human Resources at NuHarbor Security. She is responsible for aligning people strategy with business strategy and ensuring that NuHarbor’s culture remains one of respect, collaboration, and continuous learning with a strong passion for making cybersecurity easier to better serve our clients.
Under her leadership, NuHarbor has been recognized as the #1 Best Place to Work in Vermont for the past two years and has been named to the list six times, among other accolades.
Prior to joining NuHarbor in 2021, Jackie spent 19 years at GE Healthcare, where she held several Human Resources roles, ranging from Global HR Business Partnership to Organization & Talent Development. Before her career at GE, Jackie held HR and manufacturing operations roles with Tropicana Beverages, Ocean Spray Cranberries, and Douglas Aircraft Company. She also owned a consulting business specializing in organizational and leadership development.
Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science from Clarkson University and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.
Megan Norton
Senior HR Business Partner, Stantec
Megan is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Stantec, a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. Stantec has over 30,000 employees, across 450 locations around the world and has been recognized as a Best Places to Work in Vermont, is a Gold Status Military Friendly Employer, and has been awarded one of the World’s Top Female Friendly Companies, amongst others. Megan holds a MS in Human Resources Management from Southern New Hampshire University and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Maine at Orono.
Session 4: Business “Resiliency”
Linda Rossi
State Director, VtSBDC
Linda Rossi leads a dedicated advising team at Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and serves on the America’s SBDC Accreditation committee traveling around the U.S. visiting other programs and is a board member of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC). Prior to joining the SBDC, Linda spent 20 years in the private sector as a national project manager for IBM, a business manager for 4 start-up and growing small businesses, as an Adjunct Faculty member in higher education and the Treasurer and founding board member of a non-profit organization. In addition to a degree in business management, marketing, and psychology, she holds certifications in leadership, project management, entrepreneurship education, and workforce development; and received recognition for her efforts in disaster recovery with the SBA Phoenix Award.
Debra Boudrieau
Business Advisor, VtSBDC
As a Business Advisor at Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) since 2010, Debra Boudrieau provides small business owners with one-to-one, no-fee, confidential advising. She has an extensive background in both large and small business and the non-profit arena with experience in marketing, operations management, financial forecasting, and consulting with small business owners to create efficient and profitable businesses. As a result of Tropical Storm Irene and the floods of 2023, Debra has gained significant experience with disaster preparation and recovery. As a disaster recovery specialist, she has been instrumental in creating VtSBDC’s Disaster Recovery Guide, and works with clients on building resilience into their business plans.
Coffee Breaks:
Kristina Drobny
Creative Director, Bytes.co
Kristina is the Bytes.co Creative Director. She has been with Bytes.co since 2015 and has over 15 years of experience in graphic arts and marketing communications, having been the Marketing Director at The Farmhouse Group in Burlington, Vermont for 3.5 years and at OnLogic in South Burlington, Vermont for 5 years.
She graduated from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia in May 2002 with a BFA in photography and from Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia in May 2005 with an MFA in photography.
Helping to build awesome-looking websites, browsing font foundrys, mixing up cocktails for friends, and spoiling her cats are all activities she thoroughly enjoys. She lives in Jericho, Vermont with her family and you can find her on the lake in summer, on the mountain in winter, and sugaring in spring. Pro tip: put maple syrup in coffee instead of sugar! Sooo good!
Michael Pieciak
Vermont State Treasurer