Posts by Liz DiMarco Weinmann

Few organizations are as vital to the Rutland community’s safety and resilience as NewStory Center, whose inclusive mission is driven to helping all survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking, write a “new story” for their lives.  Today, under the steady leadership of Executive Director Avaloy Lanning, the Center is preparing for its most…

As anyone within earshot or eyesight of major media outlets is aware, the man considered the leader of the free world behaved like a threatened wild boar again this week — snorting, grunting, and all but stomping his feet in an abominable attack on two respected female reporters: Mary Bruce, of ABC News, and Catherine…

It is with high praise that I address Champlain College Professor John Pelletier’s impassioned commentary in the Rutland Herald on Tuesday, Nov. 4 — “High School Grads and Financial Literacy” — wherein he meticulously detailed the irrefutable consequences of denying Vermont high school students the opportunity to take a personal finance course. Professor Pelletier directs…

As the director of the Rutland County Pride Center (RCPC), William Fourney-Mills is a pillar of LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Killington-Rutland area, overseeing the 501c3 organization he launched over two years ago. In championing inclusivity, diversity, and community building, his work is particularly vital given the current political climate, making Rutland County Pride an essential…

The crude remark made May 28 by Rep. Becca Balint at her Newport town hall, to emphasize the dire economic impact of preventing migrants from entering this country, was as surprising as it was unfortunate, especially from a humanity perspective. However, as Balint is the daughter of a working-class mother and immigrant father, she has…

Steve Turner, 57, a small-business owner with 30 years of experience in the trade of auto and marine upholstery, is on a mighty mission to encourage more participation in the trades, especially by young people who want to work with their hands. In 2017, Turner, a fit and animated then 50-year-old, turned a slogan on a…

Women’s History Month (WHM), celebrated nationally in March since 1987, offers a perfect opportunity to highlight the remarkable contributions of Vermont women, past and present.  In fact, the Downtown Rutland Partnership (DRP) is hosting a mingle-and-learn mixer featuring local women business owners at The Mad Rose pub on March 26th.  (At the end of this…

For four decades, Vermont has been my cherished refuge, especially when I was working fulltime in Manhattan and traveling for clients. Yet, as the years passed, my tolerance for winter’s icy grip diminished, and for the past two winters, I sought refuge in the sun-kissed embrace of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The siren call of sunshine and…

One of my favorite leadership professors often reminded his MBA students, “Leadership is not something that can be taught. Leadership is something you have to learn from experience.”   This newspaper’s editors exemplify the kind of positive leadership that benefits all Vermonters. For example, providing ideas for stemming Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), which afflicts even the…

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work as a strategic growth consultant to nonprofits is advising the emerging generation of optimists running charitable and educational organizations in Vermont. Nonprofit directors today must navigate an ever-changing political, social and economic landscape, in addition to juggling fundraising, marketing, and meeting donors’ increasing demands for quantitative…