Emily Bush Hired to Lead Vermont Women’s Fund

The Vermont Women’s Fund is pleased to announce that Emily Bush has been hired as director of the statewide philanthropic resource for women and girls.

Bush brings 16 years of experience working in development with a focus on creating opportunities for women and girls. She has expertise in leadership and fundraising and has worked for nonprofit organizations including The Clinton Foundation, Girls Who Code, and Moms First.

“I am so inspired by the Vermont Women's Fund and the critical work it does to fund structural change so that all women and girls in Vermont can thrive,” Bush said. “I am thrilled to join the incredible community at the Vermont Women's Fund and I look forward to building on the legacy of the organization to advance gender equity and justice in Vermont.”

Bush, who resides in Manchester, Vt. with her husband and four young boys, began working full-time in her new role this week. She takes the helm from Meg Smith, outgoing director, who led the fund for a decade. "I'm extremely happy to welcome Emily as the new director of the Women's Fund,” Smith said. “Her experience and her excitement to champion change is just what the Women's Fund is ready for at this moment in time."

The Vermont Women’s Fund, created in 1994, is a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation. Last year the Fund awarded a record $412,000 to nonprofit organizations across the state that support the economic, educational, and social needs of women and girls. The Women’s Fund also supports research that sheds light on inequities and builds momentum for change. The Fund’s recently published report, “This Way UP: There’s Power in Our Numbers,” provides new data on women-owned businesses in Vermont, their economic clout, and challenges including limited access to capital, especially in rural parts of the state.

The Vermont Women’s Fund is governed by a statewide council, including co-chairs Candice White of Waitsfield and Sujata Moorti of Middlebury.

The council welcomes five new members this year: Laurie Wood of Morristown, who is a health care technology professional and founder of Evolution Financial Coaching; Eva Zaret of Plainfield, a public health professional who is working to battle the rural opioid crisis as coordinator of the Central Vermont Prevention Coalition; Kelly Scannell of South Burlington, a strategic advisor and executive coach who partners with CEOs and organizations to implement their visions for a brighter world; Katarina Lisaius of Bolton, who has worked in state government and in the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and currently seeks to build a sense of community and wellbeing as the recreation director for the town of Waterbury; and Corinne Taney of Williston, a human resources professional and former teacher who is committed to making a positive impact on women and girls around the state.

Visit vermontwomensfund.org to learn more.