Meet VBSR's Board of Directors

President and CEO, Rhino Foods (VBSR Board 2025)

Rooney Castle has been a member of the Rhino Foods team for the past 12 years and is currently its second-generation president and CEO. Rhino operates on the notion that companies are well positioned and, therefore, have an obligation to create innovative solutions that drive positive social change. Leading with a human centered approach, Rhino has a long history of living into its purpose of impacting the manner in which business is done.

Castle is a regular volunteer at Feeding Chittenden, recently began participating in King Street Center's Book Buddy Program, and has served on the board of the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation. A graduate of St. Lawrence University, Castle lives in Charlotte and enjoys partaking in many of the outdoor activities Vermont has to offer.

“A career in the family business was never the plan growing up, but over time I realized that the secret sauce of Rhino isn’t in the cookie dough: it’s in the values and culture upon which the company is built,” said Castle. “In my current role I focus on maintaining and enhancing that culture established by ‘Rhinos’ past and present. We’ve been a member of VBSR for many years and I feel like our journeys are intertwined. I am excited to contribute what I feel is a unique perspective as a white male leader trying to center equity, justice and humanity in my work and personal life. I believe in the important work of VBSR and hope to do my small part to continue the movement.”

President, Gordon’s Window Decor (VBSR Board 2024-2025)

Kelly Clements is the second-generation president of Gordon’s Window Decor, founded by her father Gordon Clements in 1986. Ms. Clements graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication with a degree in film and started her own film company upon graduation through which she had the opportunity to travel the world. Through her extensive travel she discovered how much roots mattered to her- specifically her Vermont roots.

She joined Gordon’s Window Decor in 2003 and assumed presidency in February of 2015. She is passionate about manufacturing, family business, and the role a business plays in its community. As the exclusive manufacturer of EcoSmart Insulating Window Shades, Gordon’s Window Decor is a pioneer in manufacturing high-quality window treatments that benefit both the client and the environment.

Gordon’s Window Decor was named the Vermont Family Business of the year by the Small Business Administration and Clements was recognized by Family Business Magazine in the “25 Under 35”. She has been honored to speak on panels at various conferences including Transitions West and the SBA.

Ms. Clements is proud to call Vermont home and even more proud to be able to provide high-quality Vermont made products to clients all over the world.

Director of Sustainability, Cabot Creamery Cooperative (VBSR Board 2015-2025)

Jed Davis is Director of Sustainability for Cabot Creamery Co-operative, a long-time VBSR member. Born and raised on a six-generation family dairy and fruit farm, Jed came to Vermont and joined Cabot Creamery in 1991 and has held a variety of marketing, sales and operations positions.

In 2008, Jed was named Cabot’s first Director of Sustainability and his efforts now center on helping Cabot achieve its own understanding of “Sustainability”: Living within our means and ensuring the means to live. Cabot Creamery is owned by the dairy farm families of the Agri-Mark cooperative, and is proud to be a certified B Corporation and a recipient of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award.

Chief Executive Officer of Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Current VBSR Chair; VBSR Board 2019-2025)

Adeline Druart, Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning, B Corp-certified Vermont craft brewery Lawson’s Finest Liquids, is a visionary leader with a strong craft food, beer and wine heritage. With a commitment to people, purpose, and growth, Adeline is recognized in the food and beverage industry for her CPG expertise, growth-minded leadership, deep people connections, and humbling career story.

From cheesemaker-intern to company president of Vermont Creamery, Adeline’s 20 years of experience include business scaling and positioning the Creamery for successful acquisition and transition from founder-owned to Fortune 250 company Land O’Lakes. Adeline led the Creamery’s growth from a regional to national brand, earning #1 market position, and achieved B Corp certification highlighting a vibrant company culture and impactful purpose. Adeline also served as vice president and corporate officer of the farmer-owned cooperative in Land O’Lakes’ Dairy Foods Division.

She is passionate about business ecosystems where inclusive culture, team empowerment, product with integrity, and authentic brand stories can be the catalyst for growth, driving meaningful impact. Adeline lives in Montpelier, Vermont with her husband and two children Hugo and Matisse.

Founder and co-CEO, Encore Renewable Energy (VBSR Board 2024-2025)

Chad is the Founder and co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy, a leader in community scale renewable energy project development services. He has over 25 years of professional experience in the fields of brownfields redevelopment and renewable energy project finance, development, and construction.

At Encore, Chad has led the team’s innovative and collaborative efforts to design, permit, finance, and construct nearly 90 different commercial scale solar PV projects throughout the State of Vermont and beyond. These projects represent more than $130M in total investment value. Many of these projects involve reclaiming undervalued real estate for clean energy generation and storage, helping to revitalize communities and create a cleaner, brighter future for all.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University and earned a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont. Chad served on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Natural Resources Council and Renewable Energy Vermont. Following his appointment by the Vermont Senate to represent the clean energy sector, he also served on the Vermont Climate Council.

He currently serves on the Leadership Council for the Northeast Clean Energy Council.

Co-founder and CEO, Global Village Foods (VBSR Board 2024-2025)

Mel Hall, co-founder and CEO of Global Village Foods, has lived in the Upper Valley of VT/NH since 1987. Originally from Memphis, Tn., and a Dartmouth c/o ’91 graduate, he has been a Vermont resident for decades. Currently, he focuses on the strategic direction for the Global Village Foods brand, both in food service and in the CPG space.

Prior to co-founding Global Village Foods, Mel and his wife ran a successful African restaurant in White River Junction, VT. Mel is passionate about growing sustainable food systems and community-based action in the good-food-space, locally, nationally, and abroad. His vision is to build a national brand that sources Vermont and regionally grown agricultural produce to the greatest extent possible, aiming to spur local economic activity and create career paths with living wage employment.

When not working, Mel can be found biking, walking the dog, enjoying time with his family, or tinkering on the next potential innovation.

Executive Director, Outright Vermont (VBSR Board 2022-2025)

Outright Vermont is on a mission to build celebratory, affirming realities for young people of all gender and sexualities. Formed in 1989 by a handful of community members who had the heart, grit, and gumption to see to it that LGBTQ+ youth could always find their people, the statewide non-profit remains true to that vision today.

Dana got to know Outright as a volunteer facilitator fresh out of college in the early 2000’s, and well over a decade later, joined the staff as Director of Education. In 2017 he took the helm, and it’s been non-stop hope, equity, and power ever since!

Dana received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and a Masters in Mediation & Applied Conflict Studies, and that lens of question-asker, relationship-builder, and justice-seeker informs his way in the world.

He is the co-author of Trans objects: materializing queer time in US transmasculine homes, and plays in the local indie pop band, The Smittens. When not working, Dana can be found people watching, searching for the next best chocolate chip cookie recipe, and hanging out with his spouse and their two kids in and around Burlington. Born and raised in Manhattan, he’ll forever be a city kid at heart.

Graduate Programs Career Advisor, University of Vermont Grossman School of Business (VBSR Board 2023-2025)

Over his career, John Kim has worked at community-based nonprofits, large international NGOs, and spent 10 years at The Walt Disney Company and Herman Miller driving positive social and environmental change. He has consulted with VC-backed start-ups, foundations, nonprofits, and US government agencies to scale-up purpose-driven ventures. In his move into higher education he is now supporting the next generation of change makers that the world so desperately needs.

As a person-of-color working in the world of sustainability, which is woefully lacking diversity, Kim brings lived-experience, perspective, and representation to the VBSR board. His new role working at the intersection of higher ed and sustainable business continues the strong relationship between VBSR and the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program.

Kim serves on Montpelier’s Complete Streets Committee, volunteer with Pedals for Progress (collecting bikes and sewing machines for delivery to countries/individuals in need), and volunteers for refugee resettlement in his community. He received his master’s in public policy (MPP) from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and his bachelor’s from Cornell University.

VP of Purpose & Impact, Burton (VBSR Board 2025)

Ashley Laporte, VP of Purpose & Impact at Burton, leads the Burton teams working on sustainability and climate, justice equity diversity and inclusion (JEDI), sports advocacy, and philanthropy. Ashley comes to this role after co-leading RALLY’s corporate practice, helping companies build impactful issue advocacy strategies. She previously led the Integrated Marketing team at Seventh Generation and helped drive the company’s participation in the 2019 Youth Climate Strike. Her team also led the creation of “Believe in a Seventh Generation”, which launched after the State of the Union in 2020.

Ashley grew up in Lamoille County in Vermont, and now lives in Duxbury with her partner Luis, and their son Santi. She is a proud Vermonter, a Black woman, a daughter of immigrants from Quebec and Haiti, and a snowboarder. Ashley graduated from Deerfield Academy in 2006, and Harvard College in 2010.

“I believe companies must play a role in solving the biggest social justice issues of our time. I have focused my career on exploring if business can really be a force for good,” said Laporte. “I am as skeptical as I am hopeful – and am energized to identify models that are working, and to address the ones that are not. I look forward to serving on the VBSR board and supporting the many Vermont businesses committed to use business as a force for good – even as we face increasing headwinds in that work.”

Mission & Sales Operations Manager, Vermont Creamery (VBSR Board 2025)

Eliza Leeper is Vermont Creamery’s Mission & Sales Operations Manager. She oversees the company’s sustainable business strategy, B Corp certification, and community initiatives. In addition, she manages customer logistics and works closely with the Vermont Creamery sales team to deliver on sales acceleration and new business development – all while doing her part to ensure Vermont's goat dairy farmers are successful.

Leeper previously held a corporate social responsibility role at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and managed programs for the Yampa Valley Community Foundation (Steamboat Springs, CO) prior to that. She has served as a member of the City of Montpelier Community Fund board and is an organizing team member for the Vermont B Corp Collective (VBCC). She has more than a decade of involvement in VBSR participating on the committee level and attending a wide variety of VBSR-produced activities and events. A Vassar College graduate and Vermont native, Leeper lives in Montpelier with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys outdoor adventures, gardening, and live music.

“I'm committed to leveraging resources to improve our communities, ensuring Vermont remains a thriving agricultural environment,” said Leeper. “I believe businesses have a responsibility to be leaders in our communities, working together to support ongoing critical issues and in times of need. Since my first VBSR Conference in 2011, I have felt embraced by the VBSR community. I fully believe in the organization's mission and purpose and am honored to return that embrace as a Board member.”

Chief Experience Officer & Co-Founder, Mamava (VBSR Board 2019-2025)

Sascha Mayer is the Co-Founder, Chief Brand Officer and a Chairperson of Mamava, Inc. in Burlington, Vermont. Mamava designs solutions for nursing mamas on the go, and since 2015 has placed over 550 lactation suites in locations as diverse as airports, sports stadiums, automobile factories, and military bases.

Mission driven, women-owned, and a Certified B-Corp, Mamava created a category and is the leading expert in lactation spaces. Mamava’s smartlock enabled lactation suites and mobile app are designed with consideration of the biological, physical, and emotional needs of nursing mamas (and babies) on the go.

Sascha started with Solidarity of Unbridled Labour (Mamava’s birthplace) in 1995. She helped to develop the Living Brand®, Solidarity’s philosophy on brands and brand creation. As Strategy Director, Sascha participated in the creation of many brands, including HP, Levi’s, Lululemon, Merrell Apparel, Nike Women. Before joining Solidarity, Sascha worked for the office of Congressman (now Senator) Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), where she served as staff assistant and assistant press secretary. In 2018 Sascha and her Mamava co-founder, Christine Dodson, were the SBA’s Small Business Persons of the Year from Vermont.

Beyond her work life, Sascha was a founding board member of Mobius Mentors, and she sits on the marketing committee for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and loves to spend time outside with her husband, two children, nine chickens, and her rescue dog Cletus.

President & COO, EastRise Credit Union (VBSR Board Treasurer) (VBSR Board 2022-2025)

Rob is the President and Chief Operating Officer of EastRise Credit Union, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving more than 160,000 members with over $3 billion in assets and 460 employees. I have over 25 years of experience in various leadership roles across different industries and organizations, including banking, investment management, government, insurance, and cooperative finance.

Rob graduated from the University of Vermont and started a career in financial services with Citibank in New York and Chicago. He relocated back to Vermont as a public servant working for the Vermont Department of Economic Development where he ultimately served as Commissioner. Prior to joining VSECU, Rob spent over a decade in executive roles in the institutional investment management industry with Dwight Asset Management and Conning.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Union Mutual Insurance Company, and several non-profit organizations focusing on community development and the environment. Rob and his wife Karyn live in Shelburne and have 2 college-age daughters.

Principal Consultant, Fringe Impact (VBSR Board 2024-2025)

Ruchi is a Social Impact Management Professional with Fringe Impact. She is based in Vermont and committed to the underestimated stakeholders of the state. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from UVM, and a Masters in Politics from the University of Mumbai. Her work centers the amplification of opportunities for BIPOC and minority communities in VT, which she was led to through a long career in nonprofit management in India, effective philanthropy in NY and systemic social impact across the US through large corporate foundations and Fortune 500 companies.

She is an immigrant, mother and woman of color dedicated to using her experiences and reliance on deep empathy and rigorous research in her projects to catalyze an inclusive VT through targeted systemic changes. She believes in moving her stakeholders through individual connections and empathy while telling stories that inform a larger impact systemically. She believes that art is the essence of life, and endeavors to integrate it into her work.

She finds deep comfort in exploring deep spirituality, connecting with animals and spending time with her toddler son and partner exploring and connecting with her community of Colchester, VT. She is deeply influenced by her Indian roots and loves integrating those unique experiences with her life in VT.

Head of Advocacy and Movement Building, Seventh Generation (VBSR Board 2023-2025)

As Head of Advocacy and Movement Building at Seventh Generation, Ogden leads the company’s advocacy work in the US and globally through partnership with movement-leading NGOs. She leads Seventh Generation’s engagement in organizing spaces dedicated to the business community’s advocacy for climate justice, democracy, reproductive freedom, and other issues.

Prior to Seventh Generation, Ogden spent 12 years at the global environmental organization Greenpeace, most recently as Deputy Director of the Grassroots Department. She is passionate about climate and energy justice, but has also developed and implemented advocacy campaigns on toxics regulation, deforestation, protecting our oceans, and protecting the right to protest.

Ogden lives in Richmond, VT, with her husband, John, and two elementary school-aged sons, Eli and Leo. She graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and South Asian Studies.

Retired (VBSR Board 2015-2025)

Duane has a varied background as a social entrepreneur, currently in his 7th career with stints as a medic, police officer, non-profit manager, political campaigner, justice department official, legislative director, and values-led business practitioner. The common thread through all his roles has been organizing people to take meaningful action towards positive change.

He moved to Vermont in 1996 to help Ben use Ben & Jerry’s as a force for social change. After 12 years there as Ben’s Chief of Stuff, Duane left to launch his latest venture — SunCommon — to make it easy and affordable for homeowners to help repower Vermont with clean, safe, in-state energy. SunCommon, a Benefit Corporation and a Certified BCorp, has grown to become Vermont’s largest provider of residential, community, and commercial solar business, employing over 100 people.

Duane has been an active member of the VBSR community since 1996, and his wife Laura served as VBSR’s Program Manager in the past. He’s a member of the Social Venture Network and serves on the Board of Trustees at VPIRG. In 2015, he was recognized by VBSR with the Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement in values-led business.

Global Head of People and Culture, Textile Exchange
Vermont State Council Director, Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) (VBSR Board 2022-2025)

Mara is an executive people and culture leader and human resources strategist with a deep passion for helping organizations build best workplace cultures. As a member of the senior leadership team at Textile Exchange, she leads a global team of human resources professionals, ensuring alignment with Textile Exchange's mission and business objectives. She shapes a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged global workforce that supports Textile Exchange’s important global impact and continued growth.

She previously served as Head of People and Culture at Chroma Technology Corp., a global, high-tech manufacturer of optics for the scientific and biomedical industries. Headquartered in Bellows Falls, VT, Chroma is 100% employee-owned and a Certified B Corporation.

Additionally, Mara previously served as Board Chair of VBSR and is the Vermont State Council Director of SHRM.

She holds an MS in Human Resources Management from the New School University and a BA in Communications from Queens College, City University of New York. Mara is also a graduate of Leadership Upper Valley. She is a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) through SHRM and was named Vermont’s Human Resources Professional of the Year in 2020.

Founder, Adventure Dinner (VBSR Board 2018-2025)

Sas Stewart is an entrepreneur passionate about creating products, spaces, and events that engage and activate community. She co-founded Stonecutter Spirits, an award-winning craft spirits distillery in Middlebury, Vermont, and later launched the activist cocktail bar Highball Social in Burlington, Vermont. Sas is also the creator of Adventure Dinners, the sought after pop-up cocktail dinner series in secret locations around Vermont, now in its fifth year.

In 2019 Sas was named one of the top 50 entrepreneurs to watch in the US, and currently consults in brand and business strategy with a specialization in food, beverage, and hospitality.

Sas and her projects have been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Food and Wine, Outside Magazine, Sift, Bloomberg, Imbibe, Better Homes and Gardens and other publications.

She is a graduate of the SBA Emerging Leaders program, and holds a B.A in English from the University of Michigan and a M.S. in Sustainable Planning and Development from Pratt Institute.

Founder, Working Fields (VBSR Board 2019-2025)

Mickey Wiles is the CEO and Founder of Working Fields, a mission-based staffing agency focused on second chance hires, predominately people in recovery from substance use addictions.

Mickey leads a staff of Account Managers and Recovery Coaches that provides a supportive model of employment and recovery. This innovative employment solution meets the needs of both those in early recovery as well as Vermont Employers seeking dedicated and reliable employees.