Advance Vermont is pleased to announce that we have expanded our team with three new hires who lead strategic engagement, research, and communications.
Amanda Chase, Ed.D., joins Advance Vermont as director of strategic engagement after spending eight years as an internship coordinator and career counselor at the University of Vermont. She received her Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Vermont, with her dissertation exploring the impact of identity and social, economic, and cultural capital on college student internship engagement. At Advance Vermont, Amanda leads outreach, partnership building and advocacy efforts. Amanda is based in Burlington with her wife Brit and their baby, Tobin, and cats Scott and Kevin.
As Advance Vermont’s data and research manager, Gina Pandolfo heads the Vermont Credential Transparency Project, as well as the organization’s data dashboard and research efforts. Focused on working toward equalizing access to prosperity, she previously worked at Vermont Adult Learning, coordinating outreach efforts for the Strengthening Working Families Initiative and Adult Basic Education programs. Gina also worked for the Women’s Business Center in Vermont, served an AmeriCorps VISTA term with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), and as a community health educator with Peace Corps, Paraguay.
Joining the team as director of communications and MyFutureVT, Marilyn Tagliavia leads all external communications and marketing initiatives for Advance Vermont and our free online career and education resource, MyFutureVT. Previously, Marilyn worked for local public relations agencies including Junapr, and has a background as a news editor. Marilyn received her bachelor’s degree in communications and community media from Johnson State College, and lives in Burlington with her partner John and puppy Poppy.
“It has never been more important for Vermonters to complete education and training after high school,” said Executive Director Tom Cheney. “With these additions, Advance Vermont is broadening its capacity to bring together organizations and individuals to advocate for systemic change and break down barriers for students seeking postsecondary credentials.”
