Lisa Senecal of Stowe is now Chair of the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW), an independent non-partisan state government commission dedicated to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls.
Ms. Senecal, elected unanimously, takes the helm from Marcia Merrill of Jericho. Ms. Merrill steps down after ten years, leading the only entity in Vermont expressly considering broad implications of state policy and budget priorities for women in our state.
"Like the women’s movement, VCW has evolved over our 55-year history in response to current issues," said VCW's director Cary Brown. "Our Chair helps to guide and steer this process, and we’ve been blessed with gifted leaders, like Marcia and Lisa, who volunteer hundreds of hours of their time in service to women of Vermont. We celebrate and thank Marcia for her service to the women of Vermont and we welcome Lisa to this position."
Ms. Senecal is a founding partner in The Maren Group, a consultancy that works with businesses, investors, and campaigns to identify and remedy business and cultural practices that increase risk of sexual harassment and other forms of gender discrimination. An experienced entrepreneur with a background in media relations and marketing, her successful ventures include an award-winning children's entertainment company and a New Media consultancy. She has consulted and provided media relations and new media strategy for dozens of companies and organizations; gubernatorial and US Senatorial campaigns; and statewide policy initiatives.
She developed her voice as a women's advocate as a civilian student at Norwich University, from which she graduated cum laude. As one of a handful of women in each class, she developed perspectives invaluable both personally and professionally. Commissioner Senecal writes and speaks with an emphasis on issues of equity, equality, opportunity, and safety for women. Her perspectives and writing appear in a range of media, from NPR's Morning Edition and PBS News Hour, to The Daily Beast, the New York Daily News, and USA Today; she also writes a monthly column for her local newspaper, The Stowe Reporter. In addition to serving as Chair of VCW, she is on the Board of Trustees for the Stowe Education Fund and The Clarina Howard Nichols Center.
Reflecting on her new leadership role, Ms. Senecal said, "The honor of being appointed to the VCW by Governor Scott might only be surpassed by being elected Chair of the Commission by my fellow commissioners. Their faith in me is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to working closely with the outstanding staff of the Commission and my fellow commissioners to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls in Vermont - which happens to be what's best for our overall economy and Vermonters of all genders."
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