go ahead

“What I love about Vermont and New England in general is that everything is accessible here,” said Carrie Simmons, executive director of the Stowe Area Association of Vermont, also known as Go Stowe. Stowe and the surrounding area are known for their natural beauty and landmarks such as Moss Glen Falls, Vermont’s tallest waterfall, and Mount Mansfield, the tallest mountain. Simmons, who is from the relatively flat town of Whitewater southeast of Madison, Wisconsin, said she wasn’t always familiar with the mountains. “I was a hiker and I learned to ski when I took this job,” she said. “Being from the Midwest, I wanted to be completely comfortable in the mountains. But then I fell in love with skiing—it’s super fun.”

Simmons moved to Vermont in 2007, when her husband’s graduate studies drew the family to Brattleboro. After a long career at branding agencies, including her own, connecting with Stowe Regional Association board members at the annual Vermont Tourism Summit encouraged her to continue pursuing the leadership position she holds in Stowe today.

Simmons considers one of her great professional achievements to be the creation of the Stowe Area Association’s Declaration of Inclusion, a commitment and plan developed in partnership with multiple organizations to build a community in Stowe that welcomes all. She is also committed to supporting emerging new leaders in the industry. Through her leadership coaching side business, Brilliance Unleashed, Simmons helps others navigate challenges such as career transition and overcoming imposter syndrome. “Sometimes you can feel very isolated, and having the support of a coach and being able to provide that support to other people has been really helpful and meaningful to me,” Simmons said.

While many people have inspired Simmons throughout her career, she is particularly grateful for her mother, who raised five children on her own after Simmons’ father died. “It’s not that growing up was easy, but the impact she has had on who I am now and my drive for achievement and leadership speaks volumes to how I grew up and who she was,” she said.

The Stowe Regional Association, which turns 80 next year, will also launch a revamped website and brand under Simmons’ leadership. “We’re passionate about the direction our brand is going and what we’re doing,” Simmons said. “A lot of different things are happening. Suddenly, all the time.”

The article Moving Forward appeared first on Meetings + Events.