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VBSR Names New Board Members

Carrie Simmons and Sas Stewart Welcomed to Leadership Roles

 

Burlington, VT – Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announced today that Carrie Simmons of New Ground Creative in Brattleboro, and Sas Stewart of Stonecutter Spirits in Middlebury have joined the organization’s board of directors.

 

“We are delighted to welcome these two business leaders to our board of directors,” said VBSR’s executive director Jane Campbell. “Both of them own companies that exemplify a business approach that gives equal weight to people and planet as well as profit.

 

With the additions of Simmons and Stewart, VBSR has seen nine new board member appointments over the past four years, and Campbell noted that there is much better geographic board diversity now. “As a statewide organization, it’s so important for us to base our strategic direction on the perspectives of organizations in many sectors and regions.”

 

“I firmly believe in providing meaningful work and great compensation to my employees—not only because it’s good for business in that it reduces turnover and improves employee morale, but because it’s also good for our economy,” said Simmons. “And I am so pleased to be able to support VBSR’s work in this regard.”

 

“At Stonecutter we’re committed both to crafting high quality spirits, and to building a business that supports our employees, the environment, and the place we call home,” said Stewart. “In my work with VBSR, I particularly look forward to helping young start-ups build employee-focused businesses that incorporate the triple bottom line,” said  Stewart.

 

Campbell noted that Simmons and Stewart are stepping up to fill the seats of outgoing board members Leslie Nulty (Mansfield Community Fiber) and Wes Balda (Champlain College). “We are grateful to both Leslie and Wes, and are doubly grateful to Leslie for her many, many years of dedication to VBSR.”

 

Carrie Simmons PhotoCarrie Simmons is the principal and creative brand strategist at New Ground Creative, which strives to give mission-driven organizations and businesses an edge through brand awareness and authentic messaging.

 

 

Sas Stewart PhotoSas Stewart is the Co-Founder and Director of Strategy of Stonecutter Spirits, an award-winning craft spirits producer that proudly combines heritage barrel aging techniques to age gin and whiskey in Middlebury, Vermont. Sas’ cocktails and projects have been written up in Martha Stewart Living, Food and Wine, Outside Magazine, Sift, Bloomberg, Seven Days and other publications. She is also currently writing a book that brings seasonal drinks to the home cocktail bar.

 

Click here to read the complete biographies of the organization’s current board.

 

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VBSR is a statewide, non-profit business association with a mission to advance business ethics that value people, planet, and profit. Through economic development, education, public influence, and networking, VBSR strives to help 650+ members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of the state’s residents, while remaining profitable. Learn more or join the cause at www.vbsr.org.