BETHANY Wallace
36 | United Children's Services | Family and Community Partnership Manager
Residence: Bennington
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is the construction of the $4.5 million Spring Center. This project not only expanded capacity for much needed childcare, but also created jobs, 
resulted in beautiful indoor community space, improved accessibility to the existing building and a safe community playground. As a child who grew up utilizing the Recreation Center to which the new center was added, it made my heart full to be able to contribute to the vitality of this incredible community asset.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes active membership in the Bennington Rotary Club. I am a past president of the club and served on the Board of Directors for three years. I helped to establish the club's Equity and Inclusion Taskforce and enjoy introducing passionate, provocative speakers.
I am also a member of the Shires Young Professionals Advisory Board and a volunteer host with the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project. I have previously served as Chair of the Southshire Community School's Board of Directors and was a member of the Bennington County Child Care Association's Board of Directors.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by the natural resources and year-round opportunities to engage with the Vermont landscape, the strong sense of community and interdependence and, of course, my family. Vermont is indeed small but mighty; our collaborative approaches and accessible leadership makes it possible for one person to effect real change.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is connecting people with like passions and organizations with shared values and visions. I get my energy from collaborating and connecting. I also love data!
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is The International Rotary Foundation. The Foundation focuses on six areas including supporting education, growing local economies, fighting disease, saving mothers and children, promoting peace and providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The Foundation supports projects in these areas through district, disaster and global grants.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to run for public office. Serving Vermont's children, families, young professionals and elders in the Vermont legislature would be my way to give back to the community that has raised me.