KATE McInnis
Company: Marathon Health
Title: Senior Leadership and Development Specialist
Age: 37
Favorite Part of Job: The opportunity to connect with colleagues across all departments and regions is an honor. My role supports all ambassadors and this looks different every day. I love the variety 
from designing new programs, one-on-one coaching, facilitating live webinars, and program evaluations, to good old fashioned in-person classroom training.
What three words best describe you: Curious. Compassionate. Confident.
Favorite Vermont Escape: The Burlington Greenway. It’s just a few steps from my house but always feels like a mini-vacation as soon as I see the water and beautiful landscape.
Favorite Social Media: Instagram – #vermontbyvermonters #vermontlife.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which causes would you support: United Way is at the top of my list because they help communities identify priorities and mobilize both volunteers and funding to best match the needs of the community. I admire our own Northwest of Vermont United Way for bringing together like-minded non-profits and using a systematic and fair process to allocate funding.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: Vermont is an innovative state filled with creative and passionate people. I appreciate the simplicity of life when it comes to our food systems, landscape, and way of life; however, there is also a drive for entrepreneurialism to keep things interesting and evolving.
Career Highlights: At Marathon Health, my highlights have included implementing new company-wide initiatives including a new leadership program and professional development career paths for all employees. I’m also proud of my educational background and expertise in quantitative research, which I’ve applied to measure our programs more effectively to ensure that they support positive learning experiences and behavior change with employees.
Community Involvement: Since moving to Vermont six years ago, I’ve been honored to connect with a variety of different non-profit organizations. Although their missions differ, they all share the common goal of making Vermont a happier and healthier place to live. During the past few years I’ve been most involved with United Way of Northwest Vermont (Evaluation Committee), Burlington Parks and Recreation (dog park weekly volunteer), Chase Away Canine Cancer 5K (planning committee), Association for Talent Development-Vermont Chapter (board member), and Burlington Sunrise Rotary (Secretary). I’m also on Marathon Health’s Ambassadors Together committee, which organizes group volunteer initiatives for employees. A few favorite events this year have included the Penguin Plunge, Green Up Day, The Vermont City Marathon (mile 24 water station!), and Spectrum Youth and Family Services’ Empty Bowl Event. This is why I love Vermont – there are so many great ways to connect within our communities through volunteerism.
