Lee Halpern
34 | Deputy Director, Food Connects
Residence: Windham
Career highlight you are most proud of:
In my prior career in RTD coffee production, I was sent on a solo mission to install a commercial brewing machine at a predominant US coffee company and succeeded, while also training their staff to use it after my departure. In my current career, I jumped at the opportunity to learn accounting from a VT contractor, Structural Integrity, while transitioning accounting systems. Ironically my dad is an accountant who tried to get me to follow in his footsteps, which I fully resisted, just delaying the inevitability that I'd end up enjoying accounting.
Community Involvement:
As a part of Food Connects, I work every day to foster a self-sustaining regional food economy that broadens accessibility to locally sourced foods and includes small to medium sized farms at the table. FC may never be able to compete in size with big box distributors, but if we can be a thorn in their side that inspires other local foods initiatives, I'll be satisfied.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont?
Vermont offers such a unique intersection of rural living, strong farming communities, a culture of self-reliance and progressive politics.
Favorite part of your job:
The staff at Food Connects is truly outstanding in every way - they hit the mark for balancing empathy with effectiveness. If the zombie apocalypse happens tomorrow, I want them with me.
Most inspiring mentor and why:
Jerry Smith, owner/operator of Deer Ridge Farm (Guilford, VT). He balances taking care of his family, farm and sugaring business while showing up with care for his community. He is always curious to expand his perspective, an exemplary listener, offers the best life advice while cracking a joke, and makes excellent pies.
What is the best career advice you have received?
Maybe not career advice but personnel management advice: if an employee isn't meeting company expectations, it's more likely that company isn't meeting their employee's humanity.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know:
I self-narrate my and my dogs' lives with jingles, in real time.
What three words best describe you:
Pragmatic, empathetic and scrutinous.
Favorite Vermont escape:
Broad Brook waterfall in Guilford, VT.
Favorite Vermont season:
Summer, for the swimming and community that comes alive.
Favorite downtime activity:
Lunch at the co-op.
Favorite Social Media and why:
None. I prefer to live my life "irl" while pretending to be a luddite.
What is your favorite smell?
I love the smell of marigolds and chilly fall breezes.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
My grandma, who I was involuntarily separated from for the 5 years before she died. I would love to share the person I've become and the life I've built myself with her.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support:
Food Connects, to pay for group health insurance for our staff and program expansion projects so we can broaden our impact.
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend:
Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years?
I'd love to still be in a directorial role at Food Connects, feeding school kids and locals food sourced from our own region.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years?
Continue to grow my accounting knowledge and intuition until I can be the treasurer of some other nonprofit board.