Managing in the Pandemic
Professional Development Series

Rutland Young Professionals and Castleton University’s Master of Business Administration program are co-hosting Managing in the Pandemic, a professional development program for professionals across Vermont.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business, including how we manage ourselves and others. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, organizations across the country had to balance changes in how they operate. Employees have had to manage changes in their work environment due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Managing in the Pandemic events are moderated by Dr. Jacob Park, Associate Professor in Castleton University’s College of Business. Dr. Park specializes in the social and environmental dimensions of innovation, entrepreneurship, and international business. He serves as the Associate Editor of the Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and on the editorial boards of Business Strategy and the Environment Journal and Emerald Emerging Market Case Studies. He is a board member for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and a former member of the Vermont Governor’s Council on Energy and the Environment.

Event 1: Panel Discussion

In this panel discussion, we heard from four Rutland Young Professionals who discussed their professional experiences during COVID-19 and how the pandemic has impacted their business.

Panelists included:
Candice Britt, Administrative Assistant at Community College of Vermont
Courtney DiFiore, Public Relations and Social Media Manager at Killington and Pico Ski Resorts
Jake Pluta, Principal Broker at White Cap Realty
Fran Sun, COVID Vaccine Clinic Supervisor at Rutland Regional Medical Center and Owner of Shark and Sparrow

Rutland Young Professionals and Castleton University's Master of Business Administration Program co-host this two-part professional development series for yo...

Event 2: A Conversation with Eliza Leeper – Mission and Customer Manager at Vermont Creamery | Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m.

Join Rutland Young Professionals and Castleton’s MBA program for a conversation with Eliza Leeper, Mission and Customer Manager at Vermont Creamery. The Vermont-based business was acquired by the farmer-owned cooperative Land O’Lakes in 2017 and has continued on its path of conscious growth. Eliza will discuss the 2020 Vermont Creamery Mission Report, which reflects the organization’s commitment to sustainability, both in the creation of its product and in its business strategy. She will discuss how Vermont Creamery focused on its employees and the community during COVID-19.