Rising Stars

November 6, 2025

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4:30pm – 7:30pm

VermontBiz is proud to announce the winners of its Rising Stars recognition award. The list is comprised of 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities.

About this Event

VermontBiz is proud to announce the winners of its Rising Stars recognition award. The list is comprised of 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities.

“We are thrilled by the response to this initiative to recognize these up-and-coming leaders nominated by the Vermont business community. This is our sixteenth year,” said VermontBiz Publisher John Boutin. 

“We received over 120 outstanding nominations this year. The total number of honorees over the past 14 years now totals 721,” Boutin said. “The five judges had a difficult time choosing the top 40. These young professionals have chosen to make Vermont home.  These honorees over the years have stepped up as leaders, not only at their place of employment but also in their communities,” Boutin said.

VermontBiz will honor Vermont’s most accomplished young leaders at the Rising Stars special event on November 6th. The honorees will also be featured in the November issue of VermontBiz.

FAST FACTS: Of the 40 honorees, there is 1 from Addison County, 4 from Bennington County, 1 from Caledonia County, 18 from Chittenden County, 2 from Franklin County, 1 from Grand Isle County, 3 from Rutland County, 9 from Washington County, 1 from Windham County.  The average age of the honorees is 34 years old. The oldest is 39 and the youngest is 24 years old.

On November 6th join VermontBiz to honor 40 of Vermont’s most accomplished young leaders at the Rising Stars ceremony. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and their communities.

When: November 6, 2025
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Cocktail, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
& Networking Reception
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Awards Ceremony 

Where: The Farmhouse at The Essex Resort & Spa

70 Essex Way, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Winners

Rising Stars Class of 2025

First Name Last Name County Nominee Company
Adam Polonski Chittenden Lost Lantern Whiskey
Alex Hango Franklin PC Construction
Benjamin Lozier Washington Union Mutual
Bryn Loftness Chittenden Biobe
Charles Johnston Chittenden DuBois & King, Inc.
Dylan Watts Rutland Heritage Family Credit Union
Elizabeth Couto Lamoille American Nurses Association of Vermont
Emily Hoffman Washington The Vermont Flannel Company & Vermont Teddy Bear
Emily Malley Chittenden Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York
Emma Paradis Chittenden Common Good Vermont, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont
Franklin Cody Bennington Office of Governor Philip B. Scott, State of Vermont
Hazel Brewster Washington Vermont Department of Economic Development
Heather Moore Chittenden Shelburne Craft School
Ibrahim Wilson Chittenden EastRise Credit Union
Jay Dubberly Addison Zig Zag Lit Mag
Jennifer Kaulius Chittenden University of Vermont Health Network
John Mullett Washington National Life Group
Jordan Posner Grand Isle CIDER
Julia Connell Washington State of Vermont – Department of Housing and Community Development
Julie Koehler Windham Beaver Brook Children’s School, Inc
Kaitlyn Lewis Keating Washington Caffry & Keating PLLC
Kate Abdelfatah Chittenden King Street Center
Katelyn Hudson Chittenden Cushman Design Group of Stowe, VT
Kelly Brush Chittenden Kelly Brush Foundation
Kevin Chu Chittenden Vermont Futures Project
Kevin Molloy Rutland Spring Lake Ranch
Kory Cantin Caledonia Union Bank of VT & NH
Kurt Naser Chittenden PC Construction
Kyle Guptil Chittenden UVM Medical Center
Logan O’Grady Snow Bennington Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund
Martina Anderson Washington VAMHAR
Mary Capparuccini Chittenden Hadley Financial Group
Mike Mitrano Rutland Dark Shadows Entertainment, Paramount Theater
Mollie Lannen Washington CW Creative
Nicole Eaton Chittenden Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, Inc.
Sarah Blizzard Bennington Greater Bennington Community Services
Shayna Sherwood Franklin Sherwood Real Estate, FNESU, Doro/Sherwood Casting
Sophia Rabe Chittenden Olive & Milo
Tom Bazzano Chittenden OneDigital
Zoe Contros Kearl Bennington Power Guru; Town of Shaftsbury

Sponsors

VermontBiz Events are an excellent opportunity for you to show your support for these growing companies, and to put your company in front of thousands of attendees and exhibitors.

PRESENTED BY:

VermontBiz

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR:

Union Mutual

PLAQUE SPONSOR:

Vermont Awards and Engraving

Past Years