Julia Connell
32 | Community Development Specialist, State of VT — Department of Housing and Community Development
Residence: Washington
Career Highlights: The career highlight I’m most proud of is becoming the President of the Vermont Community Development Association. After a few years of working with the Board, it is an honor to be in a leadership position and to build a network of Community Development professionals.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes working with municipalities and entities throughout the entire state of Vermont by providing technical assistance on the programmatic requirements of HUD, Community Development Block Grant, and Recovery Housing Program funding. I also serve as the President of the Vermont Community Development Association where I assist with holding informative meetings during the year at various locations around the state on community development issues. And, I work part-time as a real estate agent with KW Vermont to help current and new residents find their Vermont homes!
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by attending UVM as an undergrad, falling in love with Vermont, and never leaving!
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is helping Vermonters access funding that can be instrumental in bringing housing/jobs/community space to their community. It’s the people working to make these projects happen their communities that are so crucial to bettering Vermont! I also love the feeling of helping someone find their new place to call home!
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentors are Kelly Hamshaw and Josh Hanford. I would not be where I am in the community development field without the mentorship of Kelly as my professor at UVM. And Josh hired and inspired me at the State, always finding creative ways to further our public dollars, expand housing in VT, and have a positive attitude while doing it!
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I did Irish Step dance for many years!
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are thoughtful, outgoing, and reliable.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is a summer trip to Lake Willoughby.
Favorite Vermont season: My favorite Vermont season is a tie between summer and fall! I love the changing leaves, warm days and cool nights/mornings of fall – but the lush green mountains and lake days in the summer are hard to beat!
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is TikTok (before the algorithm changed)! I like being able to see and hear from people in real time about what is going on in their world.
What is your favorite smell: My favorite smell is balsam fir and/or pine!
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I’d most like to share a Vermont beverage with is Taylor Swift. Not only is she an amazing singer/song-writer/performer/creator, she is an influential and powerful women who brings joy to the world and gives back to the communities she visits.
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend: The song on my playlist I would be embarrassed to tell my best friend is all the Drake songs on there. Mostly the old stuff though!
Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: Don’t hesitate to get involved, in whatever way works for you! No matter what, it will be appreciated!