GILLIAN Sewake
37 | St Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce | Executive Director
Residence: Peacham
Career highlight(s): The highlight of my career to date is presenting on a virtual panel about rural community development on 
Zoom "stage" alongside the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Peacham Library and Kingdom County Productions, and volunteering for the Vermont Welcome Wagon and community activities in Peacham.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I grew up in Vermont, and am thrilled to be back here again. I was motivated to live and work here by the proximity to nature and family, the great work-life balance, and the opportunities to make a difference in the community.
Favorite part of your job: At my job, it is a total joy to work with budding entrepreneurs and smart & engaged community members to make their dreams a reality.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my husband Geoffrey Sewake (Rising Star Class of 2020!) who shows me the importance of taking risks and working through adversity in pursuit of your dreams.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is to acknowledge mistakes and embrace them as learning opportunities. And, to recognize the value of different opinions and working styles.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Not many people know that I got my start my career as a post-modern dancer, and worked in that field--both on stage and behind the scenes--for many years in New York City.
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are confident, collaborative, and positive.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is to hike up Devil's Hill in Peacham, or to poke about the woods learning about mushrooms.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is to bake with my kids, or to eat whatever delicious thing my husband has cooked up.
Favorite Super Hero and why: My favorite super hero is Violet from The Incredibles. She has the power of invisibility and force fields, which is cool. Even more than her powers, I love her journey of growing in confidence and kicking butt as a teen.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: Honestly, the person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is my husband! Good thing we opened a brewery together.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: If I could only choose one cause to support (which is REALLY hard), I would choose activities that advance equity and racial justice in Vermont.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to grow as a leader, to make sure my organization is well positioned to build my community's vibrancy for generations to come.