Tricia joined Lund on December 9th for a six month appointment as Interim Executive Director. Learn more about Tricia here:
1. What was your job immediately prior to this? What did you do there?
I was the Director of External and Governmental Affairs for the Vermont State College System. I was in charge of advocating for access to public higher education in the Legislature, and with state and federal agencies. I handled external relations for the System and that brought me all around the state. I would meet with companies, funders, or other partners who may want to work with one of our colleges. For example, if companies were having trouble finding people to work for them, I would connect them with a program that could help. I worked on a lot of pretty big state grants for college apprenticeships etc. I also handled internal communications and external relations for the state college system.
2. What did you know of Lund before arriving?
Like so many Vermonters, I knew that Lund played a very unique role in Vermont. Lund touched many families. As somebody who worked with the Legislature, I knew that Lund provided many services for the state.
3. What is your educational background?
I have a BA in history from St Michael’s College, and an MA in teaching from Union College in New York.
4. What are your first impressions of Lund?
I am just really humbled by the heart that people have here. The heart that they bring to this work. I am humbled by the task of serving the population that we serve. I am pleased to find that Lund is a very well-run and well-loved organization. People work very hard here.
So far I have spent a lot of time with the leadership team, to understand what they are working on. I also appreciate that I was able to sit with Heidi (Wener from KAP) at the baked goods table on Monday and ask her about her job. Her story totally grounded me in what this work is all about. So I hope to have those sort of conversations regularly.
5. What are you most looking forward to about this position?
Supporting Lund for the next six months in a way that helps the staff to thrive. That’s my professional goal for the next six months; I want everyone to be successful.
6. Are you a Vermonter? Where are you from?
I am a Vermonter. I grew up in Brandon and Williston, VT. I moved when I was in high school. I have lived in Washington D.C. and Albany, NY. I haven’t lived in Paris yet though; that’s my dream. I love Vermont. I am motivated to help my state be sustainable, be clean, be healthy, and continue to be the best state in the country.
7. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy Vermont-y things like skiing and gardening, hiking, knitting. I enjoy serving on the board at Echo and I am very much focused on my home and family. I am homebody. I like having Sunday dinner with my extended family. I live in Jericho with my husband Michael and we have two grown daughters living in Boston.
Tricia’s Favorites:
Favorite color: Green
Favorite spot in Vermont: The top of Camel’s Hump
Favorite meal: Steamed lobster
Favorite season/time of year: Summer
Favorite book: The Overstory – Richard Powers.
Favorite movie: The English Patient
Congratulations Tricia, well deserved!