RACHEL Allard
Company: Union Street Media
Title: Vice President, Operations
Age: 33
Career Highlights: The career highlight I'm most proud of is being elected to be the Chair of NorthCountry Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors. It's a tremendous honor to be able to represent our 
members and help Vermonters (and former Vermonters) make their dreams come true.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes volunteering on NorthCountry Federal Credit Union's (current) and The Charlotte News' (former) Board of Directors, serving on Girl Develop It Burlington's leadership team, helping to raise awareness of our classes and the benefits they provide to women looking to enter or advance within the tech sector, and participating in several community events, such as the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, Relay for Life, and Walk to End Diabetes, among others.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I grew up in Huntington and have always loved Vermont - the peace you find at the top of a snow covered mountain, the people who all know you and look out for you, the opportunity to have a high quality of life in a place you love. I knew I'd move back from Boston, where I went to school, I just didn't know when!
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is the impact I have and ownership over decisions I make, both myself and on behalf of others. Being part of a small, thriving company has afforded me a level of autonomy and impact that is difficult to find and for which I feel very lucky.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my mom, Sharon. She raised my brother and me so selflessly and with such conviction in us, all while going back to school, working multiple jobs, and balancing all that comes with being a single parent. I always felt loved and supported, while also being accountable and carrying as much of her weight as I could - she led by example and would wake up at 5:30 AM just to bake us muffins, knowing she wouldn't see us all day. I always wanted to work harder for her.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is that it's a small world - never burn any bridges, only treat others how you'd want to be treated, and don't make promises you can't keep.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that my dream job is to be an author. I would love to have a Hemingway-esque life of semi-retirement someday, where I can travel, enjoy good food and friends, and also write a novel or two.
What three words best describe you? Hardworking. Compassionate. Optimistic.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is the top of Camel's Hump (or anywhere on the Long Trail).
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is reading, when I can stay awake! I especially love memoirs.
Favorite super hero: Does Scooby Doo count?
Favorite social media: My favorite social media is definitely YouTube. It's so easy, and so fun, to lose yourself for hours...who needs TV?
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with would either be John Steinbeck, whose ability to capture human emotion continues to amaze me, or Michelle Obama, because she is the epitome of everything I aspire to be.
If you had unlimited access to funds which cause(s) would you support: With unlimited funds I would support every cause I could, because I have unlimited funds!
What one song is on your playlist that are you ashamed to tell your best friend? I'm not really ashamed to tell my best friend anything, but it is a little ridiculous how often I've listened to Old Town Road. It's so catchy though and my daughter LOVES it! Plus, it's a nice break from Sesame Street.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years, I'd like to continue to empower others around me to pursue their passions. It's incredibly rewarding to be able to recognize talent in others and help them realize it when they may not. Also, I'd love to get back into supporting women in tech once my children are older and I have a little more time!
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? The career goals I'd like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years are helping the organizations in which I'm involved chart a vision for their future, recognizing when it's time to elevate others to roles I'm in and stepping away, and continuing to learn something new every day.
