This month’s member spotlight features Naomi Parekh Ross (she/her), a PhD student in Sustainable Development Policy, Economics, and Governance at UVM. With a background in international development and nearly a decade at the United Nations, Naomi moved to Bennington three years ago from NYC. She’s passionate about integrating cultural exchange with Vermont’s ski industry through her research. Connect with Naomi on Instagram @naomiami and LinkedIn at naomiparekh00.
Tell us a bit about your background before arriving in VT and what brought you to the state!
I am originally from Massachusetts, where I was raised and went to college. After college, I moved to Jamaica, West Indies, on a Fulbright fellowship. I lived in Washington DC for a few years before moving to New York City where I worked for the United Nations for 9 years. While in NYC, I asked my boyfriend (now husband) if he would consider the idea of us moving to Vermont. He started applying to positions and was offered a job in Bennington, which is where we live currently. Vermont has always been a happy place for me as I spent a considerable amount of time in the state growing up. I lived and worked in Vermont briefly in the early 2000s (Mendon and Newfane) and loved it. I now live in Bennington with my husband and son.
Why are you a member of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network?
I met Weiwei Wang at an event last year and I knew right away that I wanted to join whatever she was a part of.
What aspects of life in VT do you find most fulfilling? What about your professional life here stands out to you?
Being within steps of walking trails and outdoor space has been very important to me. Living in VT has caused me to slow down in a good way. For my professional life, living in Vermont has given me the opportunity to take a step back and take stock of my career in a way that has been quite beneficial.
Looking back, what advice would you have appreciated receiving about being a professional of color in VT before you arrived?
I was told by a colleague that a person who pushed for my recruitment on a committee that they only did so because I am a woman of color and they needed “more diversity”. I wasn’t necessarily surprised, but I was caught off-guard by it. I wish I’d known to ask more questions beforehand.
What are some challenges that you’ve faced on a professional level since living in VT?
There are few positions available in the state at certain salary levels.
Can you share any strategies or resources that have helped you overcome these challenges?
The better option would be a remote position with an out-of-state organization, but I had hopes of working for a Vermont organization or company without compromising financial goals.
Tell us about the work you’re currently doing and what drives you in your profession!
I am currently a PhD student in Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance at UVM, doing research on cultural exchange programs and the VT ski industry. I believe in the power of cultural exchange programs AND skiing is one of my passions (and the ski industry is an important part of VT’s economy and culture) so I wanted to bridge the two topics through academic research.
In your opinion, how can VT better support its BIPOC residents, both professionally and personally?
More events in Southern Vermont would be great! Maybe I just don’t know about them?
Are there other things (events/opportunities/jobs/etc) you’d like to share with the VT BIPOC community?
I’d like to make a plug for Unlikely Riders! An absolutely amazing outdoor recreation resource for the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community.
Have you had any mentors or support networks in VT? How have they impacted your journey?
Shires Young Professionals has been an incredible support network. It’s an instant group of friends that you can ask about anything. I feel like I always know what’s going on in the area which is great.
Can you share an experience in VT that highlighted your cultural identity?
I was volunteering for Unlikely Riders by co-hosting a free ski clinic with a friend/SYP board member. I picked up some students at Bennington College who’d signed up for the clinic. One of the students immediately noticed my license plate – it’s a Gujarati (India) phrase. He jumped in the car and smiled. As it turned out, his grandparents lived in the same neighborhood as my grandparents in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India). That was the coolest.
What advice would you give to young BIPOC professionals starting their careers in Vermont?
Know that you truly and fully belong in this beautiful state! Don’t rely on others to advocate for you or promote you based on your hard work (it’s a bonus if it does happen!). Look for opportunities to bolster your resume through training and certifications. Get involved with a board, if you can (but do your homework first by visiting the VT Attorney General’s website on joining a board and also on the organization itself). Set boundaries otherwise, others might set them for you (and they might push them too hard!).
How do you balance your professional life with personal interests and self-care?
I look for ways to incorporate self-care wherever possible. When I worked in NYC, I started a “walking meeting” trend where colleagues would go for a walk around midtown if they were having a one-on-one instead of sitting in an office. Everyone said they came back to the office in a better mood and that they were quite productive on their walk. Ideally, you can find a position that incorporates some of your personal interests with your career goals!
