In 2021, the staff, board and our business coaches engaged with Abundant Sun and participated in a number of organization-wide DEI workshops/trainings. Since January 2021, our Executive Director has been participating in weekly CEO/ED sessions with Jude Smith Rachele from Abundant Sun as a peer-to-peer support group to further our DEI leadership within our organizations. VSJF is currently going through its own internal strategic planning processes and has updated its core values to reflect a renewed and expanded commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. VT Farm to Plate (which VSJF administers) has made a very strong commitment to racial equity in the food system - through its strategic plan and the soon to be launched racial equity priority strategy team. Our DeltaClimeVT climate and energy accelerator has engaged with 39 start-up companies from across the US and Canada and 46% of these companies are BIPOC owned/led and 38% are woman owned/led. We intentionally seek out opportunities to collaborate with and learn from others (e.g., individuals, organizations, businesses) who have different backgrounds, paths, perspectives, and life experiences. We are committed to being accountable to our community of stakeholders and those impacted by our work.
Organization:
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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Posted: April 12, 2022
Organization Description
The mission of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is to nurture the sustainable development of Vermont’s economy. The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund provides business assistance, value chain facilitation, network development, and strategic planning in agriculture and food systems, forest products, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology.
VSJF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont. Our staff and Board of Directors are committed to developing creative approaches and innovative models to equitably grow Vermont’s economy and find innovative solutions to climate change.
Our 11 member Board of Directors meets quarterly -- 3 times per year for 2.5-3 hrs each and 1 time as a day-long retreat. We meet during regular business hours. Each board term is 3 years in duration (unless someone is joining the board to serve a vacant position left early by someone), and our 8 independent Board members can serve up to 3, 3-year terms. Three of our 11 members are members of the Administration including, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, and the Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Labor. Stipends to support board participation by the 8 independent directors are available.Organization's Approach to Diversity, Equity, Belonging, & Inclusion
If Interested, Send Letter of Interest to the Following Point of Contact:
Ellen KahlerPoint of Contact Email
ellen@vsjf.org