Burlington Young Professionals (BYP), a program of the Lake Champlain Chamber, has named Kelsey VonDerLinn as its new Advisory Board Chair. VonDerLinn succeeds Sophie Owen Jankowski, who will remain on the Board.

BYP aims to attract and retain young professional talent in Northwest Vermont by creating pathways for young professionals to connect, build their networks, and establish deep roots in the community. BYP provides educational, leadership, and networking resources to support young professionals’ growth and success.

The BYP Advisory Board is a dedicated group of young professionals from various industries who volunteer their time and expertise to shaping the program. They play a vital role in guiding initiatives, developing relevant programming like BYP Learns and BYP Reads, and ensuring BYP effectively serves the interests of the region’s young professional community. Serving on the Advisory Board also offers members an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience.

VonDerLinn is the Director of Sales & Guest Services at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. In this role, she oversees earned revenue and enjoys making community connections that enhance the museum’s impact.

“It’s been a great experience to serve on the Burlington Young Professionals Advisory Board and I’m excited to take on this new role,” said VonDerLinn. “I’ve been lucky to watch the group grow so much over the last few years. It’s a real asset to YPs in the area, allowing them to connect with others and build upon their skills during our workshops. Let’s see where we can go from here!”

VonDerLinn lives in Starksboro with her husband, cat, dog, and chickens, and is excited to welcome their first child in late July. She enjoys gardening, spending time with friends, and hiking in the Green Mountains and Adirondacks.

Owen Jankowski, Director of Operations & Technology at Redstone, reflected on her time as Chair. “Burlington Young Professionals has provided an incredible opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. As a Board member, I’ve seen how impactful it is to provide a space for community members to connect and support the future of Vermont’s economy,” she said. “I look forward to seeing how BYP can expand its reach, deepen mentorship opportunities, and create even more inclusive spaces where every young professional feels empowered to lead, contribute, and thrive.”

BYP Manager Amelia Cayer praised Owen Jankowski’s contributions. “When BYP transitioned from a Steering Committee to an Advisory Board, Sophie was one of our first members and was instrumental in guiding our brand-new Board through its early stages,” Cayer said. “I’m incredibly grateful for her leadership over the last couple of years. Now, I’m really looking forward to working with Kelsey as we embark on this next chapter!”

The BYP Advisory Board also includes the following young professionals:

Troi Bachmann, Northwest Vermont REALTOR® Association *BYP Reads Chair
Mary Capparuccini, Hadley Financial Group & New York Life
Chelsea Ceardai, EastRise Credit Union
Austin Davis, Lake Champlain Chamber
Emily Hayes, Courtyard Burlington Harbor
Brittany Nevins, Vermont Department of Economic Development
Ryan Nick, NAI/J.L. Davis Realty *Advocacy Chair
Phil Sheridan, Merrill Lynch
Gabriella Stevens, Chittenden Solid Waste District

To learn more about the BYP Advisory Board, please visit bypvt.org/advisory-board.

BYP announces new Advisory Board Chair

Meet the Advisory Board Member: Gabriella S.