SARA Gilbert
Favorite Part of Job? My favorite part of working at NeighborWorks is meeting new people and then learning about what problems they are trying to solve - whether that is paying too much to heat their home, trying to breathe new life into a neighborhood, or overcoming student loans on their path to homeownership. My job is to connect them to the experts and partners who can get them on the right path, and I love that I get to help people meet their goals.
Most Inspiring Mentor: My mother is my most inspiring mentor: she is a powerful woman leader, and she taught me that the surest path to personal success is to act with integrity, generosity and compassion in all situations. She and my father both instilled a love of learning and a curiosity about other people in me. These qualities motivate me to find the good in people and help me find common ground with many different kinds of people.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: The Christmas season is my favorite time of year, so sometimes when I really need to concentrate at work I put in headphones and secretly rock out to some holiday tunes!
Favorite Hobby: Although my grandmother, Elaine Gilbert, could never convince me to take it up as a child, knitting has become my favorite hobby. Creating a cloth from string still seems like a bit of magic trick to me, and I love how forgiving it is - you can always fix your mistakes!
Favorite Vermont Escape: My favorite way to enjoy our beautiful state is to take a walk in the woods because I grew up hiking and hunting with my dad.
Favorite Social Media: I finally joined Pinterest, and I can already see it becoming my new favorite way to discover ideas for projects.
Favorite Website: The website I visit most often is VTDigger.org - I can always get the information I need there.
Vermont Business Person you would like to have lunch with: I'd love the chance to have lunch with Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.
Career Highlights: Before joining NeighborWorks in August 2013, I researched disaster recovery and flood resilience as a National Science Foundation graduate fellow in political geography at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I earned a masters degree and worked at a teaching assistant. Before pursuing graduate work, I worked as a regional planner in Rutland, VT.
Community Involvement: I am a founding board member of Rutland Young Professionals and currently serve as secretary of the board and chair of the Employer Relations committee. I also serve as a member of the 2014 United Way of Rutland County campaign team, and am an enthusiastic supporter of the Women’s Professional Development Center of Rutland and Emerge Vermont. I am also a past board member of the Rutland Creative Economy.
