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About Montpelier Alive

Our Mission

Montpelier Alive celebrates the City of Montpelier. We work with partners to sustain and build upon Montpelier’s vibrant downtown community by offering and supporting special events and activities and by promoting City businesses. We work to ensure a thriving local economy for Montpelier and to preserve the City’s historic character and unique sense of place.

Our Vision

Montpelier serves as the economic, social, and cultural center for central Vermont, with a thriving downtown and a unique sense of place.

We hope to see you in Montpelier soon!

Staff

Executive Director, Katie Trautz

Born and raised in Cabot, Vermont, Katie is a musician, mother, community leader and arts advocate. Katie is the co-founder of the non-profit folk music school Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture based in Montpelier, VT.  Following her 8-year directorship at the Summit School, she became the Executive Director of Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, VT.  She joined Montpelier Alive in 2021 as the Event and Communications Coordinator, and soon thereafter became the Executive Director, bringing vibrant programming to the Capital City. Katie's vision is to grow the organization to meet the community need, while continuing to uplift and celebrate Montpelier's unique charm.

 

Events and Marketing Coordinator, Katie Hopkins

Katie and her husband moved to Vermont in 2020 and have since celebrated the arrival of their daughter in August 2024. While growing up in Massachusetts, Vermont has always felt like home. With a strong background in event planning and a deep connection to the downtown community, Katie is eager to bring a fresh perspective on promoting and celebrating everything the capital city has to offer. When she’s not highlighting Montpelier’s charm, you can find her exploring outdoors with her family and adventure dog, Bridger. 

 

Development Manager, Lesley Kantlehner

Lesley Kantlehner moved to Montpelier in 2021 to get more time with her family in the mountains. She fell in love with Montpelier immediately thanks to the many festivals, amazing businesses and restaurants, and welcoming community. She's proud to work with Montpelier Alive to spread the joy for her new hometown with others.

 

Communications and Marketing Manager, Morgan Haynes

Born and raised in Vermont, Morgan is a marketing professional, artist, and community advocate with a passion for storytelling and local engagement. She joined Montpelier Alive in February 2025, bringing her expertise in digital marketing, graphic design, and communications to showcase the vibrancy of the Capital City. When she’s not crafting social media campaigns or designing eye-catching promotions, you can find her exploring local restaurants, attending community events, and on-air during her weekly radio show at Royalton Community Radio. She’s excited to connect with Montpelier’s residents, visitors, and businesses to showcase all the city has to offer!

 

Board of Directors

Officers:

  • Megan McConnville, Chair; Founder, Park Street Community Solutions and Senior Planner, EPR PC

  • Joel Dennison, Treasurer; Digital Product Manager at National Life Group 

  • Ray Mikus, Secretary; Owner at Green Light Real Estate 

Directors-at-Large

  • Ras Moshe Burnett; Musician

  • Marc Gwinn; Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

  • Jordan Mensah; Accountant, 802Cars and Musician, Shidaa Projects, Inc.

  • Pelin Kohn, City Council Member

  • Todd Daloz, Assistant Attorney General, VT Assistant Attorney General’s Office

  • Alec Long, Managing Director at Long Advisors LLC

  • Mitch Yacavoni, Northfield Savings Bank, Commercial Lender

  • Scott Van Beck, Co-Founder, “Founder, A Better Path to Learning”

  • Jen Roberts, Onion River Outdoors business owner

Committees:

  • Design Committee: The Design Committee focuses on improving the physical aspects of Montpelier's Downtown (streetscape, lighting, facades, circulation, etc.) and developing strategies to ensure an attractive appearance, highlighting the city's unique assets and heritage.

  • Montpelier Business Association: The Montpelier Business Association (MBA) is a committee of Montpelier Alive that acts as a support network and united voice for small downtown businesses. The group meets regularly to coordinate promotions, networking, and events, and discuss important topics that collectively impact downtown small businesses. Through the MBA and our work with the Montpelier Development Corporation, we strive to ensure a thriving downtown business environment.

  • Finance Committee: The Finance Committee oversees the financial health of the organization, works with Staff to prepare the annual budget,  oversees any investment funds, reviews financial policies, and ensures that the organization is properly insured.

  • Membership and Development Committee: Montpelier Alive’s Development and Membership Committee works to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization, focusing on corporate, individual, and foundation giving, including growing the business membership. The committee also solicits feedback from the business membership and works with staff to enhance the benefits and programs that serve members. 

  • Board Development Committee: The Board Development Committee leads the Board in regularly reviewing and updating the Board’s statement of its roles and areas of responsibility, and what is expected of individual Board members, provides trainings to the Board, and is responsible for recruitment of new board members. 

Montpelier Alive accomplishes its mission through a Board of Directors, Executive Director, Committees, and the help of many volunteers! If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer or committee member, please contact our offices at 802-223-9604.

Designated Downtown

Shortly after Montpelier Alive was formed in 1999, we received State of Vermont recognition as a Designated Downtown. Through this program, downtown property owners and renters are eligible for tax credits. The downtown can also create its own signage, apply for special transportation funds, and take advantage of special state programs designed for downtowns.

  1. Agendas and Minutes

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  2. Join Our Board

    We are seeking new voices that represent the amazing diversity of the Montpelier community. If you are interested in helping create a more vibrant Montpelier, please consider joining our Board of Directors!

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