This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Jeetan Khadka (he/him)! Jeetan has been a resident of Vermont for over 17 years and is based in Essex Junction. As the founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of PeopleFirst Workforce Solutions, Jeetan’s work is rooted in service, supporting people in connecting with meaningful and gainful employment.
To learn more or get in touch, visit peoplefirstworkforce.com or email workwithpeoplefirst@gmail.com.
Tell us a bit about your background before arriving in VT and what brought you to the state.
Hello & Namaste, I’m Jeetan Khadka (JEE-tuhn). After 17 years in Vermont, my name has grown with me through the changing seasons of this green mountain state. Jeetan means “victorious one,” and Khadka means “warrior”—a reminder to face life with courage and keep moving forward, even when the path is difficult. Looking back and ahead, I’m reminded that names carry meaning we live into.
I was born in Bhutan, and for those of you who don’t know where it is, it’s a small Himalayan country in South Asia, located between India and China, famous for its policy of Gross National Happiness—a unique way of measuring success based on people’s well-being and quality of life rather than just economic growth like GDP. Well, sounds cool, doesn’t it?
It wasn’t true for my family and me, as we were forced to leave the country under difficult circumstances, where many people of Nepali origin in Bhutan (known as Lhotshampa) were displaced. I was just one year old when my family fled Bhutan and took refuge in a refugee camp in Nepal.
We were later resettled in the United States as refugees, which is what brought me here. It’s a long story, and if you’re ever interested in hearing it, just take me out for a coffee—like bitter coffee that somehow tastes good, struggles feel lighter when shared.
How did you get into your career?
Well, I’ve always said this, and it’s true—I never really had to chase a career; my purpose found me through my passion for service. I’ve always been drawn to helping others in simple but meaningful ways: bringing a smile to someone’s face, easing uncertainty, or just being there to listen when needed.
After high school, I served with AmeriCorps through the Burlington School District, and later became a team lead supervising 11 members across several nonprofit placements. That experience opened the door to a broader network of service providers in Chittenden County and shaped my understanding of community work.
Everything I do today is a continuation of that path. As the founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of PeopleFirst Workforce Solutions, I find deep purpose in helping individuals connect with meaningful and gainful employment. Before this, I’ve worked as a job developer, employment counselor, case manager, and even as the chef and owner of a Nepali cuisine restaurant—all rooted in the same thread of service.
Why are you a member of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network?
I became more actively involved with VT PoC about a year ago. It’s not that I didn’t know about the organization—I was just busy with work and already engaged in spaces that aligned closely with its mission. I didn’t feel an urgent need to join at the time, as I’ve always considered myself fairly connected across different communities and professionals in Vermont.
That said, I have long admired the leadership of Weiwei and Tino and their intention to build a strong network for professionals of color in the state. Over my 17 years in Vermont, I’ve learned the value of relationships that are both meaningful and sustained.
My involvement now is intentional. I want to expand beyond familiar circles, build new connections through diverse experiences, and continue to grow both personally and professionally. VT PoC offers a space where that broader connection and shared purpose can thrive.
What aspects of life in VT do you find most fulfilling? What about your professional life here stands out to you?
What I appreciate most about Vermont is its slow, steady rhythm of progress. It gives me space to reflect, stay grounded, and actually enjoy the work I do each day. As a young family raising children and building community, I find Vermont to be a place of solace. It’s not perfect in every way, but it feels “imperfect in a way that you can build with,” if that makes sense.
Professionally, I consider myself quite fortunate. The community I’ve built around me has become a safe space—one where I can be vulnerable when I need guidance and support. That sense of encouragement and mutual trust continues to motivate me to do more, give more, and stay committed to the work I believe in.
What advice would you have appreciated receiving about being a professional of color in VT?
Even before coming to Vermont, we received orientation in the refugee camp—learning basics like handshakes, eye contact, and workplace etiquette—but real life here is far more nuanced.
Looking back, I wish I had better understood that information and connections are a form of wealth, and that every relationship matters. The best advice is to stay open, keep learning, and share what you know as you grow.
What professional challenges have you faced since living in VT?
The challenges I’ve faced were not always personal, but more systemic. In my work serving refugee and immigrant communities, I often encountered barriers that slowed down access to support and resources for people who needed them most. A lot of time and energy went into navigating and working around these systems instead of directly focusing on the individuals.
Over time, it became clear that part of the work is not just providing services, but also helping to break down those systemic barriers and build clearer, more accessible pathways forward for the community.
What strategies have helped you navigate those challenges?
Staying patient, persistent, and solution-focused—looking for ways to work around barriers when they can’t be immediately changed. Most importantly, centering the needs and voices of the community has always guided how I move forward in finding practical solutions.
Tell us about the work you’re currently doing.
I recently launched an employment placement and career support company focused on strategic job placement, career coaching, employer support, and language access. While my background is primarily in working with refugee and immigrant communities, I’ve learned that barriers to meaningful employment extend far beyond any one group.
What drives me is helping people not just find jobs, but find purpose in their work, while also supporting employers who are committed to building inclusive teams and addressing Vermont’s evolving workforce needs.
What opportunities do you see for your industry in Vermont?
Vermont doesn’t have a job shortage—it has a workforce alignment challenge. With a rapidly aging population and low unemployment, the real opportunity lies in better connecting available talent to existing jobs.
For our industry, this means leading more strategic, inclusive workforce solutions—addressing skill gaps, access barriers, and employer needs in a coordinated way. Workforce development isn’t just part of the solution; it’s essential to sustaining Vermont’s economic future.
How can Vermont better support its BIPOC residents?
Vermont can better support its BIPOC residents by moving beyond access and focusing on inclusion, equity, and long-term opportunity. This means investing in pathways to meaningful employment, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, while also addressing systemic barriers such as language access, housing, and professional networks.
