Kelsey VonDerlinn
31 | Director of Sales and Guest Services , ECHO, Leahy Center
Residence: Addison
Career highlight you are most proud of:
The career highlight I'm most proud of is opening The Tinkering Turtle toy store in Burlington. This was a large cross-departmental collaboration among the ECHO team, along with including Vermont Teddy Bear as our partner. Seeing everything come together from an idea, to drawings and plans, to then opening and seeing the community excitement was a very proud moment.
Community Involvement:
My community involvement includes serving as the Vice Chair of the Burlington Young Professionals board, as well as the Secretary of the Vermont Attractions Association Board. 
I also enjoy participating in the planning committee for the Vermont Tourism Summit. Being able to connect people and places, whether it's boosting our local tourism attractions with visitors, or networking within our community, you count me in!
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont?
I was motivated to live and work in Vermont because of the proximity to outdoor recreation! In one day, you can hike, swim, bike, get delicious local food and a great local beer!
Favorite part of your job:
My favorite part of my job is being able to see visitors connect with our mission in various ways! Not only do guests interact with ECHO just by coming in to see our exhibits, but they may also have a wedding on the upper deck, get to shop for the holidays in our Museum Store or get a creemee from Champ's Legendary Creemee stand in the summer! Being fully involved in a number of different things always keeps my job exciting.
What is the best career advice you have received?
The best career advice I have received is that you never fail backwards, you always fail forwards. If you tried something that didn't work, take the time to learn from what went wrong so that the next time you try it, you will already get farther than you did the time before.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know:
I have a goal to hike all of the Adirondack 46r's (46 mountain peaks over 4,000 feet). Only 10 left to go!
What three words best describe you:
Determined, collaborative and positive.
Favorite Vermont season:
My favorite Vermont season is summer. I love the warm temperatures and to be outside!
Favorite downtime activity:
My favorite downtime activity would be going to a local brewery with friends, gardening, taking a stroll downtown and shopping
What is your favorite smell?
My favorite smell is fresh cut grass or lilacs!
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years?
I'm not totally sure! I love what I do. I've been enjoying working in the museum setting and getting to understand all that goes into operations. So maybe in 5-10 years, I'd like to be able to explore working in a larger sized museum and continue to challenge myself and grow my knowledge base.
