Zoey Andrade
Undergrad Major: Global Studies, Film & Television Studies

“A business degree that cultivates and appreciates students with creative, humanitarian, and action-oriented passions is a rare find. SI-MBA checked all of my boxes.”

Zoey Andrade graduated with the Class of 2024 at the University of Vermont and received a dual degree in Global Studies and Film and Television Studies, with a Minor in Spanish. A passion for ethical and sustainable documentary filmmaking on a global scale drove Zoey to the SI-MBA program. Filmmaking, specifically documentary, is an ethically grey medium and often harbors little to no concern for the film’s subject’s wellbeing or the environmental impacts of shooting on location. Zoey’s commitment to sustainability derives from moving from Rhode Island, to South Carolina, and then to Vermont and witnessing firsthand how education, community partners, and local businesses can make such a large impact on the wellbeing of a city. After completing the SI-MBA program, Zoey hopes to have the skill and ability to translate these passions into initiatives that work within the system of capitalism to improve creative industries as a whole. 

Olivia Baratz
Undergrad Major: Strategic Communications

“I chose the SI-MBA program, because I wanted a program that combined business and sustainability seamlessly. In my undergrad, there wasn’t a program like this, and I think that business is at the forefront of environmental change, so I decided to go back to school to find that opportunity.”

Olivia graduated from undergrad in 2022. After school, she worked remotely for an influencer marketing company and moved to Salt Lake City. She realized remote work wasn’t for her, and she switched to a role working at a tech company as an Executive Assistant. She currently still works there doing social media, assisting in sales and marketing, and doing digital copy/content writing. She’s had a great year working at her company, but she’s excited to start the SI-MBA program and work toward a career she’s passionate about. 

Payton Beaver
Undergrad Major: Environmental Studies

A professor introduced Payton to the SI-MBA program while at undergrad at UVM, and she decided it would be an incredible opportunity to further her education, experiences, and connections within the environmental and business fields. Payton’s professional experience does not span much farther than her higher education, as she prioritized finishing her degree in three years. However, she is looking forward to expanding those professional experiences through this program. If Payton’s classes over the past few years have taught her anything, it is that businesses need to become more environmentally centered to be more sustainable long term. Ecocentric priorities in economic and business decisions will lead to a world that can continue to benefit society while giving back to resources that contribute to its ability to thrive. Within this program, Payton wants to learn how the connections between businesses and our natural environment can become a reality, and how transitions to more sustainable business can become attainable for more people and more business across demographics, brackets, and geographical regions. 

Isabel Buenaga Levis
Undergrad Major: Global Studies & Political Science

“Pursuing a degree through the SIMBA program would give me the tools to effectively implement financially and environmentally sustainable business strategies within the food industry. I envision a food system that makes quality food more accessible, reduces agriculture's carbon footprint, and connects small farms to economic opportunities.” 

Isabel has spent the last 8 years farming and has worked on farms with different scales, outlets, production methods and purpose. Isabel started farming while pursuing a degree in Political Science and Global Studies. Insights gained through her studies motivated her pursuit to understand the issues surrounding the food system and the communities impacted by its deficiencies. She is motivated to purse the SIMBA program by finding the balance between nourishing communities, regenerative agriculture, sustainable business models, farmer welfare, and efficiency. 

Derek Caruso
Undergrad Major: Engineering Management

"It is my dream to use innovation to create global solutions to universal problems, trailblazing in the direction of a sustainable future and inspiring agency in those who wish better for all."

Since his sophomore year at the University of Vermont, Derek Caruso was drawn to the SI-MBA program. His engineering background sparked an interest in sustainable practices and innovation. Projects such as redesigning a water treatment facility and analyzing local brewing company warehouse processes fueled his desire to enact significant change from a management perspective. With these revelations, the discovery of the SI-MBA program felt like the perfect fit.

Caroline Catlin
Undergrad Major: Psychology & Communications

“I have never known exactly what I want to be, but I have always known that I want to help others and contribute positively to my community. My previous education and work experience have fulfilled me, but I am ready to expand my knowledge in order to help more people in the most effective manner.”

Caroline recently left her position as Office and Building Manager at First Congregational Church of Burlington (UCC). Starting the position in January 2020, she worked tirelessly to keep the congregation safe and united through Covid, all while navigating a multitude of perspectives and needs. Engaging with renters, unhoused individuals, community leaders, and congregants, she built connections between all who interacted with the church. She has learned more about herself and this community than she thought possible, but hit a ceiling professionally and is ready to challenge herself again in an academic setting.

Caroline graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2018 with a double-major in Psychology and Communication. While at St. Lawrence, she was involved in various clubs and organizations, including student government and the Java theme house, which brings live music to campus for free, weekly concerts.

Hannah Cobb
Undergrad Major: Business Management

“I chose SI-MBA because I care about creating impact through my work. I intend to focus on the intersection of business economies, food systems and sustainability. With my SI-MBA degree, I plan to innovate sustainability solutions with an organization (re)shaping the future of food.”

Hannah’s professional journey over the past five years includes working at a bicycling advocacy nonprofit and cooking at three different farm-to-table restaurants in Rhode Island and Idaho. Hannah’s interest in community engagement and love of recreational cycling led her to Bike Newport where she worked on the organization’s education and engagement initiatives. Her love and respect for the ways in which food connects us then led her into kitchens where she was exposed to the restaurant industry’s capitalist-driven sustainability constraints within the national food system. Both experiences showed Hannah the ways in which business can be used to drive change.

Matthew Deeble
Undergrad Major: Community & International, Applied Economics 

“I have always been interested in the fashion industry but as I grew older, I began to understand its problems. My dream is to be a part of the solution and start a ripple of sustainability creating a more ethical and responsible supply chain and industry standard.”

In his junior year of college, Matthew took an Introduction to Community Entrepreneurship course where he and a team of his peers were tasked with starting and operating a non-profit business on campus. They partnered with a local non-profit and local businesses to create a mission-driven enterprise. Through this experience, he was able to get hands-on experience and learn about the logistics of operating and maintaining a business in an ethical way. 

Allison Dubick
Undergrad Major: Environmental Studies

“My mission is to help communities and businesses develop more environmentally sustainable ways of living. With an MBA in Sustainable Innovation, I aim to establish composting food waste as a fundamental component of human lifestyle.”

Since developing a strong passion for environmental protection during her undergraduate studies, Allison moved on to work with plants in a retail greenhouse. The greenhouse is attached to a full supermarket, generating various types of waste daily. She knows there is a better way to manage food waste than disposal through landfills. Allison hopes to find solutions to work alongside businesses, like the local chain she worked for, to help them develop more sustainable waste practices. The Sustainable Innovation MBA is the perfect next step for her future goals. 

Paige Flanagan
Undergrad Major: Communications

“I think now, more than ever, there is an opportunity to improve corporate and customer responsibility. With a firm grasp of opportunities for sustainable business operations, I aim to motivate leaders and educate customers in future roles around our power to make decisions which will meaningfully benefit communities and our planet.”    

Paige’s professional background is in digital marketing, operations and client success. Working in agency roles, she specialized in website and media tracking. Later, she supported sales by leading discovery sessions, defining strategies and delivering pitches. Paige eventually took an in-house role with her large pharmaceutical client as a Global Measurement and Marketing Operations lead where she led solution design and change management for complex cross departmental projects. Paige found her way to SI-MBA when her professional growth no longer felt aligned with her personal values. She’s excited to learn and grow alongside a community of peers equally invested in creating positive change.  

Jacques Fordy
Undergrad Major: Nutrition & Food Science

“Sustainability as defined by the United Nations as, 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' I believe that this can apply to how we treat both the planet and businesses."

Jacques has worked in a number of fields, from Gardener to Wholesale Purchaser, since graduating from UVM in 2019. His career in supply chain began at a boutique grocery store in 2020, managing small categories for a growing business. Looking for more purchasing experience he moved to the wholesaler UNFI where his communication and process management skills were recognized and rewarded. In 2023 he began working with maritime freight and obtained a Six Sigma Yellow belt before taking a step back for health reasons. He’s excited to learn more about supply chain and category management in the coming year.

Nathan Fry
Undergrad Major: Russian & English
Masters in Natural Resources 

“The greatest national security threat to the United States is climate change and consumerism-related pollution. The US largely led the world into this mess; we have an obligation to lead us out. I intend to use my SI-MBA skills to solve a small part of a big problem.”

Nathan began his professional career in the US Army in 2006. Over 18 years that spanned active duty and National Guard service, Nathan had the privilege to lead Soldiers in places ranging from Afghanistan to the Arctic to North Macedonia and to experience life-changing opportunities such as US Army Ranger School, Special Forces training, and foreign partner mountain warfare courses. In 2024, circumstances finally aligned to allow him to leave active military service and start his next professional chapter with the UVM SI-MBA program. Nathan aspires to start a company that solves a climate change-related issue.

Nathan has a BA in Russian/English from Dickinson College (2006), an MS in Natural Resources from UVM (2016), and extensive military education in leadership and operations planning. He is also pursuing international certification as an American Mountain Guide, with a goal to finish the certification at some point before the heat death of the universe.

Andrew Gaudette
Undergrad Major: Dual Degree International Business & Management

“I choose the SI-MBA program to further my education so I can help create a sustainable future within the business discipline. I am excited to learn more about Sustainable Innovation that will lead us to a green economy.”

Andrew first started to focus on Sustainability Studies early within his undergraduate years. He just recently completed an internship focused on creating a plan for a municipality in Massachusetts for them to become one of the states “Greenest Cities.” This plan consisted of sustainable development goals as well as recommendations backed with data to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the community. 

Sam Ghazey
Undergrad Major: Natural Resources

“I’ve spent the last decade fighting for change at the legislative level only to watch our governments drag their feet while businesses lead the way in sustainability and equality. I want to be on the team making change, not the one inhibiting it.”

Sam’s career started in college as a staffer on Bernie’s 2016 presidential campaign. This work took him on a tour of the northeast organizing and directing projects from criminal justice to climate action with organizations like the ACLU, Greenpeace, NextGen America, and judicial advocacy groups. Throughout this time he was constantly innovating new ways to reach voters and organize communities to bring them into the movement. Now he’s ready for the next phase of his career where he hopes to help companies reach customer bases who want to help make change by supporting ethical and sustainable businesses. 

Aaron Gisser
Undergrad Major: Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology

“I hope to achieve a comprehensive understanding of business principles and sustainable operations in order to help build healthy communities that live in harmony with the environment.”

Aaron joins the SI-MBA program after working in the healthcare industry for 5 years. Most recently, Aaron worked for a young adult transitions program that used a whole person and holistic model to support young adults in building fulfilling and independent lives. Aaron hopes to carry over this holistic philosophy of wellness to business, creating a workplace that focuses on sustainable practices through various systematic approaches. Aaron has also fostered a deep appreciation for the planet through many years of outdoor recreation and exploration and hopes to learn how business can help preserve the natural world.

Cameron Gould
Undergrad Major: International Business

“I chose the SI-MBA program because I am determined to be part of a new generation of business leaders who can leverage responsible corporate activity as a means to societal good. I want to support and invest in startups around the world who recognize the opportunity to innovate and disrupt the legacy methods of our food system.”

As an avid outdoorsman, Cameron’s years of skiing, hiking, and mountain biking instilled a deep appreciation and respect for nature that he was eager to build a career on. After college, Cameron started his career at an NYC-based climate-tech startup focused on residential electrification and, after 2 years, pivoted to explore his passion for food. Having worked in professional kitchens throughout his undergraduate studies, Cameron was eager to explore the intersection of sustainability and the food system. His curiosity brought him to Eleven Madison Park, the only plant-based 3 Michelin Star restaurant in the world. Cameron is excited to join the next SI-MBA cohort and expand both his skill set and professional network.

Anna Graff
Undergrad Major: Global Studies, Spanish

“With a background in immigration legal and social services, I am now seeking to pivot my career towards business-related initiatives to drive positive change in sustainable initiatives and foster equitable institutions and resources for all.”

Anna is an emerging professional with a brief background in immigration legal services. Internships with the International Rescue Committee and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service) led her to a role with Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s Esperanza Center. Here, Anna played a key role in designing and carrying out a short-term program that connected New American families with immigration legal assistance and resources for accessing public benefits. Anna also enjoyed assisting attorneys in the preparation of applications for various humanitarian-based immigration relief. She is eager to discover how her immigration background can be applied to UVM’s SI-MBA program.

Anna attended Loyola University Maryland, where she majored in both Global Studies and Spanish. She enjoyed volunteering as an ESOL instructor and participating in the university’s Outdoor Adventure program as a backpacking and rock-climbing trip leader.

Heida Helgadottir
Undergrad Major: Political Science

“Beyond the academic and career benefits, I am most excited about the opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. I envision this year as a transformative journey—a chance to pause, reflect, and delve into topics I am passionate about. I am eager to learn from faculty members, industry experts, and my classmates.”

Over the past two decades, Heida has raised three sons, participated in municipal and national politics, and built companies. Starting off her career as a campaign manager for comedian Jon Gnarr, turned Mayor of Reykjavik, Heida was an instrumental figure in Icelandic politics before age 30. After politics, she co-founded three companies leveraging digital technology and storytelling. Niceland Seafood offered sustainable Icelandic seafood to aware consumers who want to know the origin of their food. Digiphy is a content-driven platform that helps CPG brands engage directly with customers, and Hausmart is a QR-enabled commerce tool.

Valentina Hidalgo-Mendoza 
Undergrad Major: International & Latin American Studies

“As a person who is passionate about community engagement and cultural events, I recognize that delivering enjoyable and meaningful experiences too often comes at the cost of social, economic and environmental sustainability. Through the SI-MBA program, I aim to develop my knowledge of sustainable strategies that can be applied to the programming and event planning industries and how to integrate them into their processes, growth, and value creation.”

Valentina joins the SI-MBA program after several years working in the Public, Non-Profit and Private sectors of Colombia and the United States. She has worked in diverse contexts from assisting Latinx entrepreneurs in Minnesota open and grow their businesses to handling financial and socio-environmental reporting for small and medium enterprises in Colombia. These experiences drive her belief that businesses do not operate in a vacuum, and need to be drivers of change– leading efforts to preserve and strengthen a reciprocal relationship between humans and the environment. Valentina is excited to apply her learnings from the SI-MBA program and drive social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the Latin American leisure and entertainment industries through business development and management. In her free time Valentina enjoys dancing, hiking, trying new foods and attending concerts and cultural events.

Emily Listowich
Undergrad Major: Natural Resources

"I look forward to channeling my passion for mission-driven work to effectively build bridges between the for-profit and non-profit sector and grow stronger, healthier communities for a resilient future.” 

For Maine native Emily Listowich, snowsports are in her DNA. Raised by two ski-obsessed, hardworking laborers, her connection to the outdoors led her to attend UVM’s Rubenstein School. There she delved into the intersection of environmental recreation and social change, founding Chicks on Sticks VT as an undergraduate student. With six years of experience in nonprofit development and philanthropy, Emily understands the critical role relationships play in fostering growth. From reproductive health care to youth mentorship, she has effectively managed major donor portfolios, solicited six-figure gifts, written state and federal grants, and led fundraising strategies for $1M+ budgets. Combining her passion for creative storytelling and giving voice to underrepresented communities, Emily has spearheaded two North American film tours. These include more than 50 screenings of Advice for Girls, an all-women’s ski film and Forever Is Now, a film commissioned by the Zion National Park Forever Project illustrating the importance of public lands. Seeking unexpected and synergistic collaborations, Emily is eager to connect with Vermont businesses and local communities to affect meaningful change.

Emily earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School, majoring in Natural Resource Planning with a minor in Community & International Development. She also studied climate change politics in Vietnam, Morocco, and Bolivia with the School for International Training’s International Honors Program.

Apryl McCoy
Undergrad Major: General Studies, English & American Literature
Master in Energy Regulation & Law

Apryl grew up in Washington state but has lived in the Burlington area since 2012. Apryl was a part of the previous cohort, withdrew for a job, but couldn’t stay away and is back for round two. She runs a wellness business where she has the opportunity to use her decade-long experience in teaching yoga, meditation, reiki, and coaching to work with clients on personal fitness and wellness goals. Apryl is excited to expand her knowledge around sustainability and business to become a more effective agent for change. She lives in Burly with her adorable doodle Keswick and loves to be near the lake, do handstands, watch sunsets and go to comedy shows. She lives to solve Wordle in 3 attempts or less.

Lillian Orloff
Undergrad Major: Biology

“I chose SI-MBA at UVM because I am passionate about sustainability and was drawn to the hands-on experience of the Practicum project. I value this form of learning and hope to be able to apply what I learn to other sustainable businesses through marketing and event planning.”

Lillian Orloff is a recent graduate from UVM with a major in Biology and a minor in Spanish. During the course of her time at UVM, she most enjoyed working with the Office of International Education as a marketing and communications assistant. There she was able to experience managing social media accounts as well as creating materials to increase outreach into a community that encourages a global mindset. During this role she realized she enjoys working with businesses who value their community and mission in a way that is sustainably responsible. 

Yuliya Paylor
Undergrad Major: Art Education
Master of Education in Learning & Teaching

“An organization’s values are reflected in the way capital is allocated and invested- with my SI-MBA in hand, I will have the tools to influence and lead organizations to invest in solutions that will serve not only the shareholders, but also the greater community.”

Yuliya has worked in education for over 16 years, as a Classroom Teacher, Union Organizer, Community School Director and Education Finance Specialist. Her varied experiences in the field of education have instilled in her, a deep commitment to social justice and a unique perspective in business leadership. Now, more than ever, for our capitalist democracy to succeed, we need business to embrace sustainability and social impact as a goal, not an obstacle.

Abbie (Ellie) Penfield-Cyr
Undergrad Major: Political Communications

Abbie (Ellie) Penfield-Cyr is a dedicated communications, marketing, and development professional based in Burlington, VT. Growing up on a horse farm in Underhill, VT, she developed a love for animals and the outdoors. Ellie holds a BS in Political Communication and Social Advocacy with a minor in Philosophy concentrating on Food Ethics from Emerson College, where she was involved in NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse and various other extracurricular activities.

Her professional journey includes roles such as Marketing Communications Manager at WomenExecs on Boards (WEOB), where she managed communication channels, developed strategic marketing plans, and co-led digital transformation projects. Previously, as a Development and Marketing Associate with AmeriCorps VISTA at Mountain Roots Food Project, Ellie executed fundraising strategies and created engaging content for digital and print media. She also gained valuable experience as a Campaign Development Associate for the Bernie Sanders 2020 Presidential Campaign, managing donor communications and supporting volunteer engagement.

Ellie's commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with organizations like the Adaptive Sports Center at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Additionally, she holds a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification. Ellie's adventures are often shared with her beloved dog, Meza, who joins her in skiing, hiking, and biking excursions. Her diverse experiences and dedication to promoting compassion and sustainability through human connection are driving forces in both her professional and personal journey.

Jack Rice
Undergrad Major: Wildlife & Fisheries Biology

“I chose SI-MBA at UVM to gain valuable business experience for my career in sustainable fisheries. I am interested in aquaculture as a sustainable substitute for commercial fishing, and in studying the resiliency of subsistence fisheries, especially in developing countries.”

Jack completed his undergraduate degree at UVM before working for the summer as a field technician for the Vermont Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. There, he assisted graduate students and postdocs with research projects by analyzing fish stomach contents, aging fish with otolith analyses, and conducting fish surveys while scuba diving. Jack eagerly enters the business world with hopes of fighting for positive change in an industry fraught with overexploitation.

Justin Sharp
Undergrad Major: Professional Pilot Technology

“It is every person’s responsibility to help build a better tomorrow. Take risks, initiate change, and strive to be a creative force for good in the world. It is my goal to help build a better tomorrow with a fresh outlook on business and the world.”

Justin graduated from Vermont Technical College with a BA of Science in May 2021. A primary focus in aviation Justin received Commercial, Flight Instructor, and Multi-Engine Flight Instructor certificates. He logged over 1000 hours of instruction. After graduation he joined the Air National Guard as a crew chief on the F-35. Despite thrills and profit of aviation, he yearned for a greater path in giving back to the community.

Time to make a change, Justin applied to the Sustainable Innovation program at UVM. Justin’s goal is to earn a degree with tools to create impactful change for future generations.

Brooks Sherman
Undergrad Major: Drama

“I am seeking a new career path where I can apply my love of storytelling to innovative ventures with the dual goals of maximizing profit and making a positive social impact. My priorities include mindful allocation of resources, long-term approaches to growth, and workforce wellbeing.”

Brooks Sherman’s route to the SI-MBA program has been anything but direct. He has worked in television production, in business affairs for a powerhouse Hollywood talent agency, overseas with the Peace Corps in rural West Africa, as a highly successful literary agent in book publishing, and most recently as the head of partnerships for a tech startup. Throughout Brooks’s professional journey, two facts have remained immutable: he has a deep love of developing compelling, nuanced narratives; and he needs to feel connected to his work by seeing how it contributes to society—at the micro, mezzo, or macro level.

Evan Siegel
Undergrad Major: Business Administration 

“We can no longer be complacent with the way business is conducted. I aspire to be a change maker, creating a business which helps others combining practical solutions with a vision for positive global impact. SI-MBA, augmented with a J.D., will allow transformational change shaping a better future.”

Evan Siegel began his undergraduate studies as a somewhat naïve young man with a strong, but underdeveloped interest in environmental issues. So much changed throughout his college years. As he pursued his diverse interests, including sustainable business, he became increasingly adept at converting his ideas into actionable skills. Through inspiration from his university courses and professors, study abroad experiences, internships, and networking within the corporate world, Evan is ready to take the next step by completing a SI-MBA followed by pursuing a J.D., thus equipping him with all the tools necessary to bring his vision to life.

Evan ventured north to attend the University of Vermont studying Business Administration and American/European History. Siegel attended Suffolk University Madrid Campus in his third year of undergraduate education. Upon completion of his Master of Business Administration in Vermont he plans to attend Law School.

Franco Rai Soto Sánchez 
Undergrad Major: International Business

“My decision to study this master in the best university in Vermont is because my business is based on agriculture, my country as such is an agricultural country so having this master and having a better knowledge on how to have a better innovative sustainability in a company and more if it is a company dedicated to agriculture. Learning about the new methods and innovation systems that are changing the world and the Entrepreneurial operations is very important for my career and professional development.”

COH palm is located in one of the sectors with the highest production of African palm in all of Ecuador. The company is responsible for purchasing raw materials from the producer at a good price so that we can sell them to large companies and thus generate profit. As a company, we focus on building a relationship with the farmer, as respect is the fundamental basis for conducting business in the best possible way. Likewise, as a company, we focus on helping the producer to obtain a fair price for their product and giving them the credit, they deserve, as such situations are not so frequent in Ecuador. This is why we have well-established principles ready to be used in our professional field.

Haley Stevens
Undergrad Major: Business Administration

Haley is a May 2024 graduate of the Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont. Her current focus in event planning and content creation is to hone the communication strategy of an agent to build community. Most meaningfully, in Haley’s work with the UVM Women in Business Club, who despite many challenges always rose to support the creation of opportunity.  What brings Haley back to Grossman is the opportunity to be a catalyst for the next generation of business, and she is eager to use knowledge from this program to enlighten my journey.

Elliot Stevenson
Undergrad Major: Biology & Environmental Policy & Decision Making 

“We must fully understand and grasp the intersection between humanity and nature to create an environmentally sustainable future.  This interaction allows us to make leaps and bounds to help people and the world grow in balance.”

After graduating from college with a BS in Biology and a BS in Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Elliot found work with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO).  Working in the weatherization department, Elliot helped low-income Vermonters with fuel efficiency and living more comfortably in their homes.  After six months on the construction crew, Elliot was promoted to Crew lead, where he spent 15 months developing as a strong leader and teacher for new hires and helping coordinate the efforts from CVOEO to help homeowners.  Now Elliot heads to UVM SI-MB, taking the next step in his career.

Brooke Weatherup
Undergrad Major: Business Administration – Marketing & Sustainability

“I chose SI-MBA because I believe that businesses, and those who are a part of them, have a responsibility to do good. Studying business in a sustainability context has shown me the ability that companies have to make change, and I want to be a part of that.”

Brooke graduated from UVM in 2024. She is from a lot of places, but most recently California. With a strong interest in the nonprofit sector, she chose SI-MBA because it bridged her business background with a desire to make a difference. Previously she worked with a small, local nonprofit: the San Diego Chill, a hockey team for individuals with developmental disabilities. Seeing how that team impacted not only the players, but also the community and the volunteers, sent Brooke down a nonprofit path. After experiences at other nonprofits and companies, she is excited to get a chance to delve into sustainable innovation.

Steven Woods
Undergrad Major: History
AAS in Electronic Systems Technology
AA in Liberal Arts
Masters in Resilient & Sustainable Communities

“The main objective is to understand business and its structures in order to adapt traditional anarchist methods to the current regulatory environment. Business structures today are incompatible with a survivable planet; better methods must be found within these systems to change power dynamics using the tools at hand.”

After working (mostly) in museums for two decades, Woods transitioned into the sustainability field. His work has been centered on the decarbonization of transport through mode shift to coastal shipping under sail. 

Establishing community scale, community controlled and sustainable freight networks is a task which demands specialist knowledge not normally acquired through a museum career, however. Navigating the complex and intertwined structures of business is critical to establishing the businesses which will prefigure and build the way to a sustainable future for the overdeveloped world. Woods entered the SI-MBA program to forward these goals and better understand the operating environment.

Harrison Wustefeld
Undergrad Major: Business Administration – Entrepreneurship & Data Analytics 

“In a word, sustainability. Every business should strive to enhance the world through its presence. Achieving equity alongside environmental stewardship. SIMBA is the next best step in gaining the personal resources to influence this change.”

Harrison graduated in May of 2024 with his bachelor's degree and a strong focus on sustainability. During his studies, he interned with Each Green Corner, a nonprofit organization focused on volunteer and community engagement to maintain gardens of various scales, producing fresh produce for multiple food pantries. He was a member of the operations management team and was tasked with revamping their accounting data system and creating new operation guidelines to avoid future backlog and disorganization. Inspired by this experience, he aims to forge a career in nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental and food system improvement, or as an ESG/sustainability consultant. 

Jackson Baker
Business Development Specialist, Good Roots
Undergrad Major: English

Bella Butzirus
Retail Store Manager, Must Love Yarn
Undergrad Major: Biochemistry & Psychology

Maria Butzirus
Undergrad Major: International Relations & Affairs

Courtney Cunningham 
Consultant, Cunningham Consulting Solutions
Undergrad Major: Public Communication

Grahame Davis
Undergrad Major: Economics

Justin Degraff
CEO, Harvest UN
Undergrad Major: International Business

Noragh Devlin
Curriculum Development Specialist, Village Capital
Undergrad Major: Music

Jack Doyle 
Undergrad Major: Geology

Courtney Dusablon 
Yoga Instructor, Self-Employed 
Restaurant Server, American Flatbread
Undergrad Major: Health Promotion Practice

Gibbs Eddy 
Head of Partnerships, Collective Well Inc.
Undergrad Major: International Relations

Afia Gyeabour
Community Coordinator, Redstone
Undergrad Major: Public Communication

Emily Halporn
Retail and Event Sales Associate, Skida
Undergrad Major: Environmental Science

Gabbi Heath
Undergrad Major: Marketing & International Business

Sydney Howard
Vermont First Facilitator, Sodexo
Undergrad Major: Animal Science

Bethany Kelly
Senior Account Manager, The Richards Group
Undergrad Major: Exercise and Movement Science

Chani Krech Guthrie
Program and Communications Manager, Levine Impact Lab
Undergrad Major: Athletic Training

Nicole Kutenplon
Undergrad Major: Environmental Science

Georgia Lambrakis
Brand Content & Social Media Consultant, BirdieBlue
Undergrad Major: Sustainability & Geology, Business Administration

Brian Lamoureux
Outdoor Careers and Business Development Manager, Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
Undergrad Major: Outdoor Education, Leadership & Tourism

Catherine Lange 
Building & Design Analyst, Vermont Finance Housing Agency
Undergrad Major: Design & Environmental Analysis
Master of Architecture Degree 

Ella Malik
Sustainability Specialist, Honda Motor Europe
Undergrad Major: Geography

Claire McCollough
Financial Assistant, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont
Undergrad Major: Sociology

Rob McKinnon
Undergrad Major: Biology & Secondary Education
Master of Science in Microbiology

Kelly Mooney 
Environmental Specialist, Triumvirate Environmental
Undergrad Major: Kinesiology & Health Science

Tyler Moran
Analyst, Peak 8 Consulting Services
Undergrad Major: Economics

James Mulligan 
Infrastructure Advisory Associate, Colliers Project Leaders
Undergrad Major: Commerce, Specialized in Finance

Potencia Mulolo Baraka
Analyst - Sustainable Business Fellow, Levine Impact Lab
Undergrad Major: Business Administration & Accounting

Nina Paus-Weiler 
Director of Communications, Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Undergrad Major: Urban and Environmental Policy 

Yuval Pearl 
Undergrad Major: Environmental Policy

Graham Penfield 
Hedge Fund Accountant I, Stone Coast Fund Services
Undergrad Major: Economics

Elias Pereira
Energy Innovator, Green Mountain Power
Undergrad Major: Community and International Development

Sam Richards 
Founder, SR Home
Undergrad Major: Art History and French

Ali Schafer
Retail & Repair Associate, Immersion Research 
Undergrad Major: Environmental Studies

Margot Scharfe
Digital Marketing Consultant, Tech for Campaigns
Undergrad Major: Advertising

Nico Siegel
Hedge Fund Accountant, Stone Coast Fund Services
Undergrad Major: Business Administration and Management

Cate Starmer 
Sustainability, Strategy & Marketing Consultant, Starmer Works
Undergrad Major: Dual Major Combining Marketing & TV, Radio, and Film studies

Wyatt Wasz-Piper 
Sales Associate, Ampacity
Undergrad Major: Business Administration, Concentration in Policy, Non-Profits and the Arts

Patricia Zberg
Project Manager, Family Enterprises · Founder Pierre-Yves Mottier
Undergrad Major: Business and Management & Sustainability Studies

Alex Zolotas
"Entrepreneurial Swiss Army Knife"
Undergrad Major: Psychology

Amelia Clark

Lexi Demarco

Peter Dresch

Neil Goldberg

Megan Kida

Ben Lajoie

Sierra Mahedy

Patrick Man

Nick Matys

Fabiana Otero

Brady Perron

Cameron Plourde

Steven Popik

Aaron Retherford

Andria Ronne

Audrey Roth

Annie Rowell

Noah Singer

Joey Webber

Ali Amrani

Eli Bennett

Juan Botero

Josie Brownell

Vanessa Chumbley

Billy Corbett

Sadie Courts

Jenna Custodio

Nancy Demuth

Mae Diaz Cabrol

Patrick Donohue

Peter Fagin

Ben Foxman

Matt Francis

Sammy Fries

Emily George

Quinn Gorman

Liz Helm

Andrew Hill

Dylan Jacobs

Lindsay Jarrett

Nick Jones

Carly Joos

Josh Kriesberg

Zoe Kurtz

Dan Lazarus

Devon Maddux

David Mah

Nicole Mallett

Colleen Miller

Tate Moeller

Tahagod Mohamed

Riley Nelson

Cody Plante

JD Popp

Max Reitkopf

Allyson Rigutto

McLane Ritzel

Jinisha Sharma

Taylor R. Smith

Mary Theodore

Bethany Thibault

Steven Tran

Dan Weisman

Madison Wood

Jessica Avison

Kevin Baranello

Siera Barton

Delaney Brault

Aidan Breen

Silvie Catalano

Robin Cornell

Jack Cutler

Anna Dechert

Andrew Donahue

James Franzino

Kelsey Gibb

Cecilia Giordano

Sienna Gray

Melina Harris

Colin Healey

Chandler Jacobson

Josh Kenyon

Senja Kling

Adam Locklin

Casey Merbler

Robbie Mingay

Jason Nachamie

Jackie Nutter

Sean O'Brien

Arelle Oberlander

Adam Polonski

Jack Porterfield

Ryan Raichelson

Alicia Rodriguez

Laine Rooney

Leonard Schloer

Luke Shea

Jenna Spooner

Paulina Stromquist

Megan Vanstry

Rose Wall

Liz Wallace

Sarah Wason

Juan Adorno

Sam Alden

Jorg Altenburg

Jared Alvord

Bavin Balakrishnan

Kate Barry

Lauren Bass

Allison Baxter

Laura Berguer

Jackson Berman

Taran Catania

Melissa Chima

Sara Farnsworth

Lauren Frisch

Becky Gollin

Evan Howard

Albert Kittell

Jay Kulkarni

Matthew Licata

Than Moore

Ruchi Nadkarni

Vishakha Pandey

Ally Polla

Evan Sanfield

Cody Semmelrock

Dana Stewart

Prakriti Timsina

Faith Vasko

Dan Versace

Roby Wong

Jonathan Bissell

Chris Bortree

Keil Corey

Shawn Coutu

Danielle Davis

Tor Dworshak

Estaban Echeverria Fernandez

Elissa Eggers

Adam Figueiredo

Ryan Forman

Emily Foster

Jason Gallet

Houston Gilbreath

Joseph Humes

Chris Hynes

Matt Iacobucci

Maura Kalil

Julie Keck

Caitlyn Kenney

Emily Klein

Cyril Kupersmith

Jeffrey Lue

Shea Mahoney

Andrew Mallory

Bharagavi Mantravadi

Lauren Masters

Cameron McMahon

Steve Micetic

Meg Nadeau

Noelle Nyirenda

Andrew Oliveri

Andre Paul

William Rivellini

Maggie Robinson

Meryl Schneider

Alyssa Schuetz

Peter Seltzer

Travis Smith

Alyssa Stankiewicz

Alexa Steiner

Henry Vogt

Julia Barnes

Randy Baron

Madeline Brumberg

Samuel Carey

Ian Dechow

Andria Denome

Lauren Emenaker

Liz Ford

Camille Fordy

Seth Gillim

Robert Hacker

Ilir Hasa

Ben Hastings

Sarah Healey

Kevin Hoskins

Kathrin Kaiser

Michael Krulin

Julia Lyon

Mark Mallory

Taylor Mikell

Rebecca Miller

Chris Norcross

Zachary C. Nuse

Ariella Pasackow

Greg Paylor

Henry Rabinowitz

Kaitlin Sampson

Ryan Selove

Shari Siegel

Arielle Tatar

Diane Abruzzini

Julie Allwarden

Schuyler Anderson

Margaret Arzon

Karen Barnett

Adam Berry

Ted Carrick

Aditi Datta

Jana Gailiunas

Caitlin Goss

Dana Gulley

Lauren Hesterman

Vanessa Hines

Chris Howell 

Ken Linge

Ryan McClain

Noah Miller

Alex Perkins

Leah Perkinson

Taylor Ralph

Mike Rama

Brett Spusta

Jason Wiff

Michael Carroll-Sherwin

Lydia Carroon 

Kyle Chu

Will Clavelle

Laura Dale

Harrison Greene 

Caroline Hauser

Jennifer Kalanges

Vinca Krajewski

Bianca Mohn

Jess Monago

Andrew Plumley

Laury Saligman

Kira Schmiedl

Kane Tobin

Mariella Torres

Kianna Bromley

Milagro Carranza

Heather Kenner

Marin LaCroix 

Caitlin Lovegrove

Brittany Nunnink

Brodie O'Brien

Jeff Padgett

David Pescador

Milagros Rodriguez

Jakob Schenker

Leah Schulz

Tim Silman

Chas Smith

Aaron Sonk

Ben Tacka

Jill Terrone

Dick Tonino

Lindsey Waite 

Meghan Whirley