Kelly Brush

39 | Founder, Kelly Brush Foundation
Residence: Chittenden

Career Highlights: The career highlight that I’m most proud of is the impact that we’ve made through the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF) on the spinal cord injury community. The landscape of adaptive sports around the country and the ability to be active (acquire the equipment you need, find places to go, and find community who you can be active with) is completely changed because of the work the KBF has done. If the KBF never existed there would be thousands of people wishing they could ride their bike with their kids, go skiing with their friends, or play basketball with a team of individuals who were like them. Because of the work we have done over the last almost 20 years these people (and their friends and family) have more joy, fulfillment, and community in their lives.

My work serving on boards, from large national organizations to very small non-profits, has allowed me to support my community in a very meaningful way. I serve on the board of directors for the National Ski Areas Association, the Kelly Brush Foundation (VT based with national reach), Local Motion (VT based with local impact), Green Mountain Valley School (VT based), and Kayla’s directory (VT based with local impact). My voice in these organizations not only allows me to pay forward what I’ve learned about non-profit management and structure but more importantly gives a voice to the disability community at a board level. When the NSAA thinks about ski area management, I bring the voice of the skiers with disability. When Local Motion considers safe biking, walking and rolling around Vermont, I help them understand nuanced considerations and how those impact people with disabilities.

Community Involvement: My community involvement also involves mentoring. When there is someone who sustains a new spinal cord injury, I am often in touch with the family and the individual within days of the accident, offering hope, understanding, and information in a really scary and vulnerable time.

What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: Living in Vermont allows me to play and work right out my back door. The Vermont community is not only tight and supportive with everyone willing to network to find connections and support, but also with a deep understanding and appreciation for doing the things we all love – being outdoors in our beautiful state. I had the privilege of meeting with Senator Welch along with 10+ individuals from around the state focusing on tourism and the outdoor industry. This meeting just happened to take place at the fully adaptive friendly mountain bike trail network, The Driving Range, in Bolton. What better example of what Vermont leadership and citizens prioritize.

What would most people be surprised to learn about you: Few people know that I’m a introvert. I act like an extrovert often, speaking to many people at events and to large groups, but my true nature is introvert and my happy place is being around close friends and family.

Favorite Vermont season: My favorite Vermont season is fall. Going out for a mountain bike ride in the crisp morning that feel warm in the sun, the crunch of the leaves under my tires, the sun shining through the beautiful foliage. Not to mention cider donuts, soccer and football games, and excitement of a new school year.

Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is sitting in front of the fire after a day of skiing and watching playoff football. Or doing a puzzle.

What’s the ideal next move for you in your career: I would like to expand my public speaking. I have done some public speaking, sharing the message of the KBF, and speaking about the experience of an individual with a disability. I believe I have a message that will resonate widely and I hope to expand on the speaking I have done to share that around the country.

Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: Find an area that you are passionate about and where there is a need. When you are passionate about a cause it won’t feel like work and you will stay motivated.