STEFFEN Glenn Gillom
Company: Windham County Branch of the NAACP
Title: President
Age: 30
Career Highlights: I am most proud of my AmeriCorps Service in Kansas City MO, where I helped implement one of the top child-literacy programs in the county. Also, I took pride in teaching English to Costa Ricans in a small rural village to help them secure jobs in the 
tourism and other industries. Lastly, I am proud of the training around equity and diversity issues that I've led and co-facilitated around the state of Vermont.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes: As a teenager, I volunteered at the local homeless shelter from time-to-time in the kitchen. After graduating with my bachelor's degree, I went directly into humanitarian service via the AmeriCorps program, where I co-implemented a powerful literacy program called Turn The Page KC. I also founded the Windham County Branch of the NAACP to support Vermonters with marginalized identities (especially Vermonters of color) as they move into and attempt to thrive in Vermont. Through this work, my colleagues and I handle personal discrimination cases, lobbied for policy change, and supported the work of several other civil rights organizations (big and small) across the state.
Moreover, I am on several town coalitions, collaboratives and committees such as the Community Equity Collaborative (CEC), the Putney Town Huddle, The Root Social Justice Center's People of Color Caucus, The Brattleboro Town Committee, the Fair and Impartial Policing Committee, and several equity committees across the state. Most recently, I was selected as one of two State Delegates for Windham County.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by the opportunity to seek out professional growth and mentorship opportunities due to the communal nature of its citizens. I liked the close relationship I can build with like-minded individuals and colleagues.
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of the job is seeing and helping clients as a therapist. I enjoy critiquing and helping to direct state-wide policies/legislation in my role with the Windham County NAACP. Additionally, in my work equity and inclusion consulting work, I enjoy providing training and psycho education to other professionals to help them create more equitable work environments.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my paternal grandmother for her wisdom and guidance — also, all of the professors and colleagues that have helped and encouraged me to strive for success.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I’ve ever received is: Do what makes you happy and the money will come. To never lose my integrity for "the job."
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I like to study insects, and I like to make homemade medicine from herbs and natural plants.
What three words best describe you? Healer. Collaborator. Leader.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is hiking the green mountains, walking and talking with friends on long wooded trails, and frequenting the small family owned eateries.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is spending time with friends and family the most. I also enjoy taking short road trips and traveling.
Favorite super hero: My favorite superhero is the X-men Team.
Favorite social media: Instagram, because I like looking at all the wonderful pictures. Instagram is also much less dramatic than the other social media platforms.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I would most like to share a Vermont beverage is my sister. I think AOC is a close second though!
If you had unlimited access to funds which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support with unlimited funds is sickle-cell, cancer and HIV research. Oh, and climate justice work.
What one song is on your playlist that are you ashamed to tell your best friend? The song on my playlist I would be ashamed to tell is: Genie in a bottle by Christina Aguilera.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5 to 10 years, I see myself owning my therapy practice and maybe working for the state department. However, I am open to all possibilities.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? I would like to open a clinical practice in Vermont or somewhere close, maybe become a professor at a college, work for the state department or a large international NGO.
