Megan Roush
30 | Director of Development, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Residence: Washington
Career highlight you are most proud of.
All of the affordable housing projects I worked on over the past almost 10 years and the people and communities I have impacted through my work at Vermont Housing Finance Agency and previously with USDA Rural Development. 
I have been able to help set up a bunch of new programs that will and have helped to create more housing within the state.
Community involvement.
While attending Saint Michael’s College, I was a volunteer firefighter for Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue in Colchester. After college, I continued to be a firefighter for the Mallets Bay Fire Department until 2018, when I moved to Northfield. I am currently an EMT for Colchester Rescue. Since 2019, I have served as a member and current chair of a statewide manufactured housing advocacy group, the Vermont Manufactured Housing Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition. More recently, I was named secretary of the Northfield Housing Subcommittee and a member of the Northfield Downtown Development and Housing Task Force.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont.
I grew up in Ohio and, by chance, visited colleges in Vermont while I was looking at other colleges in the Northeast. I spent about two hours here and realized this was where I wanted to live, and I have lived here ever since.
Favorite part of your job.
Working with the people at VHFA and within the housing world in Vermont. Everyone is passionate about what they do, and it’s really cool to see the work that everyone is accomplishing.
Most inspiring mentor.
Seth Leonard, managing director of community development at VHFA. The work he has done for Vermont and the effort he puts into everything he does is amazing. He is always willing to help anyone and everyone and has great advice that is always delivered with humor and humility.
Best career advice you have received.
Choose something — anything — and put all your effort into it.
Something fun about yourself that few people know.
I have three guinea pigs: Poppy, Pepper and Pancake.
Three words that best describe you.
Driven, compassionate and energetic.
Favorite Vermont season.
It’s a tie between fall and winter. I love the cold, snow and snowboarding, but there is something about hiking on a crisp Vermont fall day.
Favorite downtime activity.
Hiking with my dog Gus at Paine Mountain or Mount Abraham.
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years.
I have much to learn in my current position, so I plan to continue improving and find better ways to collaborate and partner to create more housing in the state.
