Fund Vermont’s Future Coalition
Fund Vermont’s Future is a coalition project of Public Assets Institute. The Coalition’s Steering Committee includes representatives from organizations as well as individuals.
FUND VERMONT’S FUTURE STEERING COMMITTEE
American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont
Represented by James Duff Lyall, Executive Director
The ACLU of Vermont integrates litigation, policy advocacy, organizing, public education, and strategic communications to defend and advance civil liberties for all people across a broad range of constitutionally protected rights and freedoms. Find out more about the ACLU of Vermont here.
James Duff Lyall (he/him) joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Vermont as executive director in 2016. Previously, from 2011 to 2016, he was a staff attorney at the ACLU of Arizona, with a focus on immigrants' rights, criminal justice, and police accountability. Prior to joining the ACLU, James was a law fellow at the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project in Los Angeles, where he provided legal representation to people seeking asylum and children in deportation proceedings. He has a law degree from Georgetown University and is a graduate of Middlebury College.
Public Assets Institute
Represented by Steph Yu, Executive Director
Public Assets Institute works to improve the wellbeing of all Vermonters and advance racial, social, and economic justice through research, fiscal analysis, public engagement and empowerment, and by developing and promoting policies that state government can enact. Find out more about Public Assets Institute here.
Steph (she/her) came to Public Assets and Vermont in 2015 and is glad to be back to her New England roots after stints in the Midwest, the Ohio Valley, and on the West Coast. She has worked as both a public sector fiscal analyst and a private sector financial analyst. She also has experience in the executive branch of state government, at the Michigan Department of Treasury and as the Executive Director of the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service.
She has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University. She currently resides in Burlington with her spouse and two kids, and loves to find reasons to be outside in all of Vermont's seasons.
Vermont Conservation Voters
Represented by Lauren Hierl, Executive Director
Vermont Conservation Voters works to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates and voters. Find out more about Vermont Conservation Voters here.
Lauren Hierl (she/her) joined Vermont Conservation Voters as Political Director in 2014, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2018. Prior to that, Lauren worked for two years as Environmental Health Advocate at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). She previously worked as an environmental advocate in Washington, DC at National Audubon Society and Alaska Wilderness League. She also conducted climate change research in Kruger National Park in South Africa, and oversaw a land and endangered species conservation assessment in San Diego. Lauren received her Master of Environmental Management and Master of Public Policy degrees at Duke University, and a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and Ecology at Dartmouth College. She is currently serving as a Montpelier City Councilor.
The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance
Represented by Matt Levin, Executive Director
Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition of early childhood professionals and providers, parents, and employers working together to improve public policies that impact young children from birth to age eight on issues of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. Find out more about the Alliance here.
Matt (he/him) has been the Alliance’s Executive Director since 2014. He oversees Alliance advocacy, governance, and fundraising, working to support strong communication and collaboration among Vermont’s early childhood community. Matt is a veteran legislative advocate, community organizer, and advocacy trainer who has worked on issues ranging from workplace rights to health care, environmental protection to low-income housing. Since moving to Vermont in 2001, he has worked for a number of non-profits and political organizations, including Vermonters for a Clean Environment, the Vermont AFL-CIO, and Vermont Conservation Voters. In all these positions, he has focused on helping Vermonters have a voice in the legislative process, and supporting effective citizen advocacy through training and engagement.
Matt is a graduate of Williams College, and lives in Berlin with his wife and two children. He spends many evenings in his family vegetable, flower, and fruit gardens. In colder months, he spends time playing hockey, moving fire wood around, and trying to find time to play outside.
Vermont-National Education Association
Represented by Colin Robinson, Political Director
The Vermont-NEA is the union of Vermont educators. It is the largest union in the state, representing 13,000 professionals who teach the state’s children every day. Find out more about the Vermont-NEA here.
Colin Robinson (he/him) is originally from Putney, Vermont and has been the Political Director for Vermont- National Education Association (NEA) since 2010. In his current role, he works to organize and build power among members regarding legislative and electoral issues from the local to the statewide level. In addition to member organizing and lobbying he has built out strategic partnership and campaigns including serving as Board Chair of Vermont LEADS-Single Payer Now and Co-Chair of the Dr. Dynasaur 2.0 Campaign along with several others. Prior to joining Vermont-NEA, Colin worked as the Director of the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign, including helping launch the first campaign for guaranteed paid sick days. He began his career in the Office of Health Care Advocate at Vermont Legal Aid. He has been active in local and state politics for over 20 years including working as Field Director for then-Congressman Bernie Sanders in 2004 re-election campaign. He lives in Burlington with his wife Sarah and their two daughters Hazel and Cora.
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Represented by Brian Shupe, Executive Director
The Vermont Natural Resources Council uses research, education, collaboration and advocacy to protect and enhance Vermont’s natural environments, vibrant communities, productive working landscapes, rural character and unique sense of place, and to prepare the state for future challenges and opportunities. Find out more about the VNRC here.
Brian Shupe (he/him) has nearly 35 years of experience in community planning, natural resource conservation, growth management and sustainable development. Most of that experience has been in Vermont working at the municipal level directing planning programs in the Mad River Valley and for the Town of Stowe, and in the private sector as a partner in Burnt Rock Inc., Associates in Community Planning. Brian joined the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) in 2008, and has served as Executive Director since 2011. Since that time he has lead VNRC’s research, public education, member engagement and advocacy for climate action, clean water, forest integrity, sustainable communities and the health of Vermonters. He has an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. Brian lives in Waitsfield with his wife, Valerie, where he keeps active hiking, paddling and homesteading, and where he is involved with several community organizations and presently serves on the Town Selectboard.
Voices for Vermont’s Children
Represented by Michelle Fay, Executive Director
Voices for Vermont’s Children is a multi-issue policy research and advocacy nonprofit working to improve the wellbeing of children, youth, and families. Find out more about Voices for Vermont’s Children here.
Michelle Fay (she/her) is a lifelong advocate for people-centered policies, from community-based work on behalf of families and survivors of intimate partner violence in the Northeast Kingdom to her current position advancing policy at the state level as Executive Director of Voices for Vermont’s Children. She taught organizational leadership at Springfield College, and served one term in the Vermont House from 2013-2014, representing the town of St. Johnsbury. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Vermont and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Alex Hilliard (they/them) was born and raised in Brockton, MA, and moved to Vermont as a first-generation college student. They graduated with biology lab skills, but settled down in rural Vermont and opened up their business, VT AthletaFit, during COVID. They’ve worked in various capacities related to social justice advocacy, including consultant, panelist, liaison, facilitator, and committee member. Their professional interests are social & environmental justice, finance/management/entrepreneurship, personal development, and wellness. They choose to celebrate the intersecting marginalized identities they hold, and advocate to upend white supremacy culture. They love trail running, their children, and sour beers.
Alex Hilliard
Individual Representative, Poultney, Vermont
Amanda Janoo
Individual Representative, Burlington, Vermont
Hamdi Jafar
Individual Representative, Burlington, Vermont
STAFF
Anika Heilweil
Fund Vermont’s Future Campaign Manager
Anika Heilweil (she/her) is the Campaign Manager of Fund Vermont's Future. She oversees legislative strategy and community engagement for the Campaign and manages relationships between the Campaign, organizations, and individuals. Before joining Fund Vermont’s Future, Anika worked on legislative efforts to protect public lands in the Southwest, aided with political science research, and volunteered for mutual aid efforts in her local community in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Anika is a graduate of Middlebury College. She currently resides in Burlington, where she enjoys cooking, mountain biking, and skiing.