Policy in Action: VBSR’s 2025 Legislative Session Highlights
Join us on July 10th for VBSR’s end of session virtual forum, “Policy in Action: VBSR’s 2025 Legislative Session Highlights.” Hear first-hand from VBSR’s advocacy allies and member businesses as they share key legislative successes from the 2025 session.
Working alongside mission-driven partners like Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Let’s Grow Kids, VBSR is bringing bold, community-centered policy solutions to the Statehouse. Together, we strive to inspire lawmakers to center people, planet, and prosperity in decision-making—demonstrating what’s possible when we work collectively for a more equitable, resilient Vermont.
VBSR Public Policy Manager Johanna de Graffenreid will also offer a look ahead at what’s next for the remainder of the year, touching on critical issues like climate action and health care.
Thank you to our panel!
Aly Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Let’s Grow Kids
Aly draws on her extensive experience in state and national politics and her leadership in education policy to spearhead Let's Grow Kids' mission. Prior to joining the organization in 2015, Aly served as the deputy chief of staff for Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin where she led several efforts to support early childhood education, including winning competitive federal grants totaling $70 million and supporting the passage of universal prekindergarten. Aly was selected as a 2013 Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments and as the 2014 Vermont Champion for Education by the New England Secondary School Consortium. She also served on the 2008 Obama campaign and graduated with honors from Brown University. Aly currently serves as a Trustee of University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vermont Council on Rural Development and was recently named a Changemaker for Children by Save the Children.
Chad Simmons (he/him), Housing Policy and Engagement Specialist, Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)
Chad Simmons (he/him/his) joined VHFA in January 2021 in the role of Housing Policy and Engagement Specialist. Since joining the agency, Chad leads VHFA's justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts and builds relationships with other housing and community partners. Prior to joining VHFA, Chad spent 15 years as a community organizer and advocate in Windham County working on numerous, but inter-connected issues ranging from early childhood, environmental justice, and community health. Chad lives in Montpelier with his partner Carrie and daughter Ember.
Thank you to our moderator!
Johanna de Graffenreid, Public Policy Manager, VBSR
Johanna has nearly 20 years of experience as a community organizer, advocate, lobbyist, campaign director, and trainer – including with businesses and economic development entities. She has a dual degree in Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s degree from Vermont Law and Graduate School.
She has worked on issues ranging from resource extraction to climate justice, the rights of women and girls to rural economic and workforce development. Most recently she managed the Vermont Arts Council’s economic development network, the Vermont Creative Network. Her efforts have taken her across the Southeastern U.S., Gulf Region, Appalachia, New England and the Hudson Valley.
Are you interested in sponsoring this event? Questions?
If so, please contact to Molly Rand at mollyr@vbsr.org.