Danielle Monroe
39 | Executive Director, Wonderfeet Kids' Museum
Residence: Mendon
Career highlight(s) you are most proud of:
Creating the partnership with Green Mountain Power that will allow Wonderfeet to expand and move into the Energy Innovation Center in 
Rutland. Fundraising for this project has been exciting, challenging and creative. And working with the design team on new exhibits has been a dream come true.
Your community involvement:
Includes working on the steering committee for the Rutland Youth Coalition and the Rutland County STAMPP (Screening, Treatment and Access for Mothers and Perinatal Partners) postpartum support grant; helping to plan Rutland Winterfest; and serving as a content creator for Out of the Box-es summer activity kits as part of the youth coalition.
Inspiration for living and working in Vermont:
The sense of community I found here. I feel like my time and talents are appreciated and can be put to good use creating positive change for my family and neighbors.
Favorite part of your job:
Talking to kids! Taking the time to really have conversations with kids (even those who can’t talk yet) has grown my empathy and sense of humor.
Most inspiring mentor:
Wonderfeet founder Myra Peffer, who encouraged me to take on the executive director job when I was doubting myself. Also, Yoshi Akiyama, who I get to design exhibits with. He’s a former Disney Imagineer, and he always challenges me to think bigger.
Best career advice you have received:
“You may have taken time off the career track when your kids were little, but that doesn’t mean you stop learning or growing.” I came back into the workforce with all sorts of new skills that I didn’t have before, and I actually had much more to offer.
Something fun about yourself that few people know:
My husband and I got engaged at a Willie Nelson concert.
Three words that best describe you:
Creative, witty and caretaker.
Favorite Vermont escape:
Tubing on the White River with my husband and friends — and my kids, now that they are old enough.
Favorite Vermont season:
Fall. Leaves, pumpkins, flannel — what’s not to love?
Favorite downtime activity:
My weekly date with myself to watch “The Bachelor” and do my nails. I live in a house with all boys, so I need a little weekly “girl time.”
Favorite social media:
Facebook, because that’s what I use to share pictures of my kids with friends and family (and keep up with everyone else’s kids too!).
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
My friend Christina. We get coffee together a few times a week at our favorite local spot.
Cause(s) you would support if you had unlimited funds:
Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum, obviously, but also Rutland Free Library. Both were vital to me when my kids were really young, and both do so much to create community for families in the Rutland area.
A song is on your playlist you are embarrassed to admit to your best friend:
“MMMBop” by Hanson, but all of my friends already know I love this song!
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years:
I’d like to be still working at Wonderfeet but overseeing a bigger team and more programs. We have so much still to do and so many more partners who want to make Rutland County a great place for families to live and work.
Goal(s) you’d like to accomplish in the next five to 10 years:
1) Complete the new Wonderfeet location at the GMP Energy Innovation Center; 2) expand our outreach programs to serve schools throughout southern and central Vermont; and 3) create mini-Wonderfeet locations in smaller communities throughout Vermont.
How your community service has changed since the pandemic:
When faced with bigger challenges, we had to work in collaboration with other organizations. All of the projects that I worked on became much more collaborative.
How your job has changed since the pandemic:
My kids lost years of valuable learning, socialization and fun! Places like Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum are more vital than ever to support children’s learning and help parents find their own community and peer networks.
