Dora Levinson
38 | Research and Data Director, Building Bright Futures of Vermont
Residence: Windham
Career highlight you are most proud of.
One recent highlight was the publication of our data brief on exclusionary discipline in early childhood. 
Exclusion from learning environments (suspension and expulsion) was, and continues to be, a critical issue that impacts particularly vulnerable children. The brief was an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, highlight data that would otherwise not have been published previously, and outline the limitations and challenges for both the data and the implementation of strategies across the state. I am proud of the final product, but like most of our work the process was as important as — if not more important than — the product itself.
Community involvement.
I spent the first 10 years of my life living with my family in an intentional community growing food and providing short-term housing to unhoused people in Massachusetts. I witnessed firsthand both the needs of disadvantaged families and individuals and the remarkable commitment of community members who were dedicating their lives to this kind of service.My passion for social service was rekindled years later when I had the opportunity to develop and revise strategies to provide health services to families in the slums of Kolkata India — among the most poverty-stricken places on Earth. My commitment to systems improvement is also attributable to my experience as a foster parent; wrestling firsthand with the needs of this specific child in my care and with a system ill-equipped to handle the overwhelming needs of the many children and families in the child protection system.While I have served, and will continue to serve, my communities directly, I have come to realize over the course of my career and my personal life that the best way for me to serve is through the creative analysis, utilization and communication of data to provide insight into optimal means of addressing difficult problems.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont.
I first came to Vermont as a high school student at The Putney School. While I have spent time in other places, Vermont has always felt like home. I can’t imagine living or raising my family anywhere else.
Favorite part of your job.
Working with our team and the Building Bright Futures Network. There is a level of aligned vision and values that I have not experienced in any other setting. I am inspired and energized by these passionate individuals.
Most inspiring mentor.
Morgan Crossman, executive director of Building Bright Futures. She believes in me and has created room for me to flourish in our organization. I am grateful for her aspirational vision, bold leadership and careful and individualized mentorship.
Something fun about yourself that few people know.
I rowed competitively in high school and college at the championship level.
Favorite Vermont escape.
South Pond in Marlboro, one of the places that gives me a deep sense of calm, whether swimming, canoeing or walking around the trails. In any season, the pond is beautiful and very Vermont.
Favorite Vermont season.
Early fall, with cool nights and warm days, when the mist rises from the river in the morning and then the sun breaks through.
Favorite downtime activity.
I have been knitting since I was in first grade and find it to be calming (while also being productive.)
Causes you would support if you had unlimited access to funds.
Mental health treatment and support of the workforce. I have struggled with my own mental health and have benefited from Vermont’s mental health system. The ripple effects from the pandemic (and the recent flooding) are causing as yet untold burdens on individuals and the mental health system.
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years.
I have had a crooked career path, with each experience building and adding to the whole in unexpected ways. I don’t want to limit myself by making a plan and missing out on opportunities that don’t quite fit. However, beyond the specifics, I see myself doing similar work focused on making sure that policy and programmatic decisions are based on evidence and are evaluated on a regular basis.
