Morgan Vasseur
24 | Events Coordinator & Program Assistant, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
Residence: Fayston
Career highlight(s) you are most proud of:
After graduating from Saint Michael’s College with degrees in business administration and psychology and a minor in studio art, I started working at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta as events coordinator and 
program assistant fundraising and creating programming for local families impacted by childhood cancer. I am most proud of organizing successful fundraising events including lobster bakes, golf tournaments, walks and more, which bring our community 
together and expand our ability to support these amazing families.
Your community involvement:
I believe that one of the best ways to connect with your community is to seek out local organizations and individuals making positive change and see how you can support them. I have been fortunate enough to work with and volunteer for a variety of amazing nonprofits with missions that I’m passionate about. Starting out as a kid holding lemonade stands for the American Heart Association, to helping organize runs for Water.org, and culminating in the fundraising work I’m doing now at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, I’ve always been motivated to find ways to engage with causes I believe in. Through this involvement, I’ve met truly amazing people doing incredible work to help those around them. I’ve found that volunteering your time to help those in your community at any level is always time well spent and can have a tremendous lasting impact.
Inspiration for living and working in Vermont:
I was born and raised in Vermont and have always appreciated its unique culture. The combination of Vermont’s gorgeous natural landscape and friendly communities dedicated to helping others are constant reminders of what an incredible place it is to live and work.
Favorite part of your job:
Getting the opportunity to support local families impacted by childhood cancer and give a bit of childhood fun back to kids who have had it taken away from them. I’m also fortunate enough to work with an amazing group of staff and volunteers in the community organizing fundraising events where we can bring people together.
Most inspiring mentor:
I have been extremely lucky to have had several incredible mentors throughout my career who have gone out of their way to inspire me and share their hard-earned knowledge. We are all better off when we help lift each other up; I have seen that firsthand through the support of my professors, employers and co-workers time and time again.
Best career advice you have received:
To not put pressure on yourself to always choose the exact right choice. If you’re waiting on perfection, you could be waiting forever. There are often many good choices, and it’s up to you to make the one you pick great.
Something fun about yourself that few people know:
I know many of the best coffee shops in Vermont and love finding new ones.
Three words that best describe you:
Creative, dedicated and organized.
Favorite Vermont escape:
The Burlington Waterfront, because you can’t beat the sunset views over the water and mountains.
Favorite Vermont season:
Summer, because of the longer days and sunny weather for outdoor adventures. I’m always up for a good summer road trip exploring somewhere new with friends.
Favorite downtime activity:
I love reading or finding time to create something artistic. I’ve recently been enjoying watercolor and jewelry metalwork.
Favorite social media:
Instagram, because it allows you a little more room for creativity and engagement.
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years:
I see myself taking advantage of opportunities to continue my education and continuously learn new skills. I’d also like to seek out new ways to grow and advance causes I’m passionate about.
How your job has changed since the pandemic:
My job at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta has changed significantly since the pandemic. When COVID-19 arrived, it completely changed the way we had to approach programming for immunocompromised children and the fundraising events we use to support them. Our primary methods for both had been large in-person events, which were suddenly no longer an option. My job centered around transitioning into virtual formats that would ensure our fundraising needs were still being met and the families we serve were still able to connect and utilize programs in meaningful ways during a very difficult time.