The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative (NEKC) has named Jennifer Carlo as its new executive director, replacing Katherine Sims, who left the post after her election to the Vermont legislature. The selection followed a three-month search.
Carlo previously served as executive director of Circus Smirkus, a longtime NEK organization. She said she was drawn to the Collaborative's mission of hands-on community building. "Katherine Sims was one of the first people I met when I came to the Northeast Kingdom years ago," Carlo said. "She painted such a vivid picture of the Collaborative and the amazing work it does."
For more than 20 years, the NEKC has coordinated economic and community development initiatives across the region. In 2017, it expanded its governing board and hired Sims, leading to increased collective action. During the pandemic, the organization shifted to economic recovery, producing the NEK Recovery Action Plan focusing on broadband, housing, education, and business support.
Carlo said she is ready to advance that plan. "I'm grateful for all the work our communities and organizations have put into the plan and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves with people across the Kingdom to help bring real and lasting benefits to our communities."
Tom Lovett, a former board member who served as interim director, praised the organization's regional unity. Board chair Jody Fried noted that Carlo "immediately stood out from a large pool of candidates."
Originally reported by Newport Dispatch.
Photo: Hannah Busing via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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