The Power of Women In Leadership (International Women’s Day Panel)

Join us for a free, open to the public, panel discussion highlighting Vermont’s women-led businesses. Panelists will share the success stories and challenges of being a trail blazing woman leader in business. Please register here for this free event!

Following the panel will be an informal networking event featuring the debut of Powerhouse Pale  Ale, created and brewed by the Lawson’s Finest Women & Non-Binary Association. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Vermont Women’s Fund.

Keynote Address – Emily Bush 

Director, Vermont Women’s Fund

Emily is the Director of the Vermont Women’s Fund. She has over 17 years of experience working in development with a focus on creating opportunities for women and girls. She has expertise in leadership and fundraising and has worked with many nonprofit organizations including The Clinton Foundation, Girls Who Code, AI4All and Moms First. Emily resides in Manchester, VT with her husband and four young boys.

Panel Facilitator – Adeline Druart

CEO, Lawson’s Finest Liquids

Adeline Druart is the CEO of Lawson’s Finest Liquids, a B Corp certified leading craft brewery. Previously, Druart worked at Vermont Creamery for nearly 20 years, starting as a cheesemaker intern before progressing through the company to President and the Vice-President at Land O’ Lakes post-acquisition. Druart is passionate about business ecosystems, inclusive team culture, and creating lasting social and environmental impacts. She is the executive committee vice chair and a board member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

Panelist – Sas Stewart

Founder, Adventure Dinner

Sas Stewart is a serial entrepreneur passionate about creating spaces that foster joy, acceptance and celebration—a pursuit she has manifested over her 20 years in hospitality.  
She was named one of Imbibe Magazine’s 75 inspiring people influencing the way you’ll drink in 2023, and her projects have been featured in Travel and Leisure, Martha Stewart Living, Food and Wine, Outside Magazine, Sift, Bloomberg, Better Homes and Gardens and other publications. Before launching Adventure Dinner, Sas was the co-founder of the award-winning distillery Stonecutter Spirits and Highball Social (cocktail bar). She is a graduate of the SBA Emerging Leaders program, and holds a B.A in English from the University of Michigan and a M.S. in Sustainable Planning and Development from Pratt Institute.  

Panelist – Libby Parent

President, Vermont Bag Balm

Libby Parent is the President of Vermont’s Original Bag Balm, a 125-year-old, heritage Vermont brand.  A ninth generation Vermonter raised in an entrepreneurial family, Libby is proud to be a part of Vermont’s small business community, and passionate about contributing to sustainable business growth in the Green Mountain State. Libby started her career in Brand Marketing for Champion Athleticwear, managing national advertising campaign development.  She then returned to Vermont where she spent over five years at Keurig Green Mountain (now Keurig Dr. Pepper).  Libby held various roles in her tenure, including Global Innovation, Sales Strategy and Brand Management for two purpose driven coffee brands – Newman’s Own Organics and Hugh Jackman’s Laughing Man Coffee.  Prior to Bag Balm, Libby was the Director of Marketing for Vermont Smoke & Cure. Libby holds a BS in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and an MA in Global Marketing from Emerson College. 

Panelist – Sascha Mayer

Cofounder and Chief Experience Offer, Mamava

Sascha Mayer is the cofounder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of Mamava, the creator of freestanding lactation spaces for breastfeeding on the go. Sascha is a recognized expert on lactation space design, family-friendly workplace policies, and social entrepreneurial leadership.  Her career in design started at JDK (now Solidarity of Unbridled Labour) where Mamava was incubated. As Strategy Director, Sascha designed and facilitated multidisciplinary creative-collaborative sessions with brands including HP, Levi’s, Lululemon, Nike Women, and Seventh Generation. Prior to joining Solidarity, Sascha served as assistant press secretary for former Congressman (now Senator) Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sascha is also the host of The Bodacious Optimist, a podcast focused on design, brand, advocacy, and the people who have inspired her entrepreneurial journey.

Panelist – Karen Colberg

CEO, King Arthur Baking

Karen Colberg is CEO of King Arthur Baking, America’s oldest flour company, based in Norwich, Vermont. King Arthur is in the business of inspiring baking by providing knowledge, education and the highest quality ingredients and tools for the baker. As a Benefit Corporation and 100% employee-owned company, King Arthur believes in the power of baking to make a difference for their employee-owners, the larger baking community, and the planet. Prior to King Arthur, Karen built her merchandising and financial acumen at The Gap and GE, respectively. Karen joined the company in 2005 as Director of Merchandising. Prior to being named CEO, she held the roles of Co-CEO, CMO and Vice President/General Manager, Direct. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Economics from Colgate University and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.