Dillon Boisvert
32 | Manager of Human Resources, United Way of Northwest Vermont
Residence: Chittenden
Career highlight: The career highlight I’m most proud of is joining United Way of Northwest Vermont in a newly created Human Resources role. It let me combine my passion for helping people thrive at work with a mission focused on strengthening our community. In this role, I’ve helped shape how we support, develop, and engage our staff while contributing to United Way’s broader impact across Northwest Vermont. The experience has reinforced a belief that has guided much of my career: when organizations invest in their people, they create better workplaces, and better workplaces help build stronger communities.
Community involvement: My community involvement includes serving in volunteer leadership roles with SHRM Vermont, the state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management, for the past five years. Through this work, I have helped support professional development opportunities, organize the annual Vermont HR Conference, and foster connections among people leaders from across the state. What makes this involvement especially meaningful is the opportunity to extend my impact beyond a single organization. By helping leaders create positive workplace experiences for their teams, I can contribute to stronger workplaces, stronger organizations, and ultimately stronger Vermont communities.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont: What motivates me to live and work in Vermont is that it feels genuine. People care about their communities, businesses are often value-driven, and relationships matter. There is a level of authenticity here that can be hard to find elsewhere. Equally important to me, Vermont offers an exceptional quality of life, with access to outdoor recreation, vibrant arts and culture spaces, and a pace that allows people to stay connected to what matters to them.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is helping people have a good day at work. Sometimes that means connecting someone with a benefit, providing support during a challenging time, or simply making work a little easier. When I see those moments make a difference in someone’s experience, it reminds me why I chose this profession and reinforces the purpose behind the work.
Best career advice: The best career advice I’ve received is not to compare your journey to someone else’s. Every person’s path is different. Some opportunities come early, others take time, and many of the most valuable experiences happen when you least expect them. Focus on your own growth and enjoy the journey along the way.
Favorite Vermont season: My wife and I both celebrate our birthdays in the fall, so the season will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s a time of celebration, beautiful scenery, and a reminder to slow down and enjoy some of Vermont’s best months.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: If I had unlimited funds, I would invest in aspiring entrepreneurs and people with passion projects they dream of bringing to life.
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend: I don’t really believe in guilty pleasures when it comes to music. Everyone connects with different songs for different reasons, and I think that’s part of what makes music so interesting. If a song brings you joy, that’s all the justification you need.
Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: My advice is to find people already engaged in the type of community service that interests you, then reach out. Vermont has no shortage of organizations and volunteers doing meaningful work, and I’ve consistently found that they are excited to welcome others who want to get involved. Taking that first step can feel intimidating, but I’ve found that people are often incredibly generous with their time and happy to share their knowledge and passion for the work. The hardest part is usually getting started.