Fitz is a rising Master's student in Complex Systems and Data Science, leveraging data visualization and accessible analysis for VERSO and the Leahy Center for Rural Studies to improve living conditions across Vermont. In addition to computer and data science, Fitz has a background in technical writing and agricultural work. He's lived in Burlington for the past four years, and has planted trees on farms all over the state with the Intervale Conservation Nursery. When Fitz isn't studying or working to make public data more accessible, you can find him biking, skiing, hiking, or play guitar in forests and bars across the state.

Emma is the Engagement Initiatives Coordinator at UVM's Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. In that role, she oversees programming related to community-university partnerships and how they can be leveraged in support of data governance, rural capacity building, and community resilience. She is also a PhD candidate in UVM's Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, and teaches courses in the Master of Public Administration program. Emma lives in Jamaica, Vermont, where she owns and operates a restaurant and inn with her partner.

Ian serves as the Data Specialist with the Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA), a program that enables undergraduate students to contribute to community-engaged projects. As an analyst, he develops a community-focused tool that combines Census, zoning, infrastructure, and flood data to inform Vermont towns on their housing and policy priorities. Ian is also a UVM undergraduate student majoring in Statistics with minors in Psychology and Mathematics. 

Isabelle is a data communication enthusiast who is interested in the intersection of public policy and community action. She is a senior undergraduate student at UVM studying Website and Information Resources Design. She serves as Communication Lead for the Vermont Data Collaborative, as well as Manuscript Design Assistant under Professor Asim Zia, a Project Intern at the Center for Rural Studies, and Fundraising Officer for the UVM Nordic Ski Club. 

Michael (he/him) is operations director at the Center for Rural Studies (CRS) at the University of Vermont and coordinates the State’s Census State Data Center. The CRS collaborates across sectors with communities, organizations and agencies at local and national levels to design and implement primary research, program evaluation and indicator projects. Michael has particular interest in population demographics including wellbeing indicators, and enjoys providing data trainings, conducting outreach, and building networks. He has extensive experience designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research projects including data collection, management, analysis and reporting.  

Kendall Fortney is the Program Director of the Vermont Research Open Source Program Office (VERSO) at the University of Vermont, where he works with faculty, staff, students, and the local community to advance the open-source ecosystem. Through the Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) program, Kendall leads efforts to foster innovation, research, and community engagement via student-led open-source projects.

Previously, Kendall served as the inaugural Fellow at the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI), playing a pivotal role in the state's geospatial and data science initiatives. He has also been a key organizer of the Burlington Data Scientist Meetup and the Open Source Connector, and led both GeoDatSci 2018, a conference focused on geospatial technology and data science, and PyData Vermont 2024, which centered on research data and open-source data science.

Kendall’s deep commitment to open-source and community-driven technology continues to shape Vermont’s technology landscape.