You + Our Million Dollar 2x Match Challenge = 2x the Impact
You + Our Million Dollar 2x Match Challenge = 2x the Impact
Help us fight Alzheimer’s and deliver twice the help and hope during our Million Dollar 2x Match Challenge. Your gift will advance research and help provide care and support for the millions affected by Alzheimer’s.
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Vermont Chapter Staff
Meet Our Team
Howard Goodrow, Executive Director
Howard Goodrow is the Executive Director for the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Howard has over 20 years of non-profit experience, focusing primarily in the fund development space. Howard started his career with the American Cancer Society working out of Rutland, VT and later moved to Burlington as the State Vice President for Development. He was later promoted to oversee all transactional income throughout New England, including all Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events. This move forced a personal move to Connecticut. Howard then moved on to a national role with the Cancer Society working with Division I college basketball coaches within the Coaches vs Cancer platform. His final stop with the Cancer Society was back in the New England Division as a Senior Director of Corporate Relations. After his time with the Cancer Society, Howard took on the role as Chief Development Officer for the Greater Hartford (CT) YMCA.Having spent time in leadership roles at the local, regional, and national levels, Howard has been very engaged in setting the direction, not only within development, but also from a human resource, mission, board of directors, and strategic planning standpoint for both organizations he has been a part of.
Howard grew up in Woodstock, VT with his parents and four siblings and has lived in multiple towns from Brattleboro to Colchester. Howard and his wife, Katie have relocated from Connecticut to Milton, VT, and they have two sons, Cole (20) and Aidan (18). Howard is a graduate of the College of Saint Joseph in Rutland, with a Masters in Business Administration from Plymouth State University.
Howard can be reached at (860) 436-7774 (cell), hjgoodrow@alz.org.
Jordan (Jo) Cotto, Program Manager
Jo joined the Vermont Chapter in October 2021, bringing a strong passion for recruiting, training, and education. She is thrilled to be a member of the Vermont Chapter in the fight to cure Alzheimer's, a cause very near and dear to her heart!In 2005 Jo moved to Seattle, WA where she worked for PROVAIL in Supported Employment as an Employment Consultant and later Program Manager, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities with employment and retention; she also started a mentorship program that worked to connect new employees with tenured employees in cohorts. Jo was also involved in several collaboration opportunities on a county and state level to support businesses with hiring diverse staff utilizing the supported employment model.
In 2016 Jo and her family moved back to Vermont to live closer to extended family. She worked at Howard Center as a Program Manager and Team Lead, supporting individuals with dual diagnoses of mental health and developmental disability by accessing resources for housing, community support, as well as medical,clinical, and transportation needs.
Jo started the "Lunch Buddies" program in an effort to connect employees and increase their productivity, as well as co-facilitated a committee for a new onboarding and training program for case managers.
Jo was born and raised in Fairfax, Vermont and resides in Williston. She enjoys spending time with her boys, Quinn and Vincent, with friends, and family. Outside of the office, she enjoys walking and yoga; writing, hiking, and spending time at the beach.
Jo can be reached at (802) 433-4090 ext 8011, jtcotto@alz.org.
Jenna Johnson, Development Manager
Jenna joined the Vermont Chapter in May of 2018, with a background in management, marketing and communications. She is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to any way that she may assist in furthering the mission of the Alzheimer's Association.Jenna manages two of the four Walks to End Alzheimer's in Vermont; the Champlain Valley Walk in Shelburne and the Northeast Kingdom Walk in St. Johnsbury. Jenna also manages the Camel's Hump Challenge, Vermont's premier backcountry event, a rigorous wilderness ski touring experience where spirited backcountry Nordic skiers traverse around the perimeter of Camel 's Hump - the third highest peak (4083') in Vermont 's Green Mountains.
Jenna lives with her family in Winooski; she enjoys working in her garden, hiking and snowboarding.
Jenna can be reached at (802) 316-3839 ext 8015 (office), jmjohnson@alz.org.
Meg Polyte, Public Policy Director
Meg joins our Vermont team with deep knowledge of Vermont non-profits, community organizations and politics. Most recently serving as the Chief of Staff for the Lt. Governor, Meg is well versed in policy and practice in Montpelier and beyond. She loves meeting new people, helping individuals share their stories, and advocating for those who we too often marginalize or forget.Meg grew up in Vermont and has a deep love for the people, community spirit, and natural beauty of the state. After living and working in the former Soviet Union and then Russia for 5 years, Meg returned to Vermont where she attended St. Michael's College in Colchester and earned a BS in International Leadership and Management. She later returned to St. Michael's and completed her Masters in Education.
Meg lives in Burlington with her two almost grown kids, two cats and her dad. She loves gardening, knitting, cooking, yoga and appreciating the beauty of Lake Champlain and the green mountains.
Meg can be reached at (802) 440-1881 ext 1429, mmpolyte@alz.org.
Amy Joseph, Administrative Associate
Amy Joseph joined the Vermont Chapter in May of 2024 as the Administrative Associate. Amy comes to the Chapter with a background of volunteerism for the Champlain Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s, most recently serving as co-chair of the planning committee. Having lost her mother to the complications of ALZ, she has a passion to connect with others and help those who are on that same journey themselves or with a loved one.Outside of the office, Amy enjoys traveling, reading, and scrapbooking in her free time. A life-long Vermonter, she loves to be out and about hiking with her family and her Labrador Retriever, Harley!
Amy can be reached at (802) 433-4222 or asjoseph@alz.org.
Jazmin Averbuck - Development Manager
Jazmin began as the Development Manager for the Vermont Chapter in September 2022. She brings a passion for an engaged community and vibrant events to her position; she supports The Longest Day event, Walks to End Alzheimer's in Rutland and the Upper Valley, and The Reason to Hope Dinner.Jazmin earned her graduate degree in Health and Physical Activity from the University of Pittsburgh with a focus on physical fitness, movement and recreation of seniors throughout the community. Recreation is a passion of Jazmin's as she is an active volunteer with both the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association and within the Vermont strength community. She personally is a competitive strongman athlete and highland games thrower; more professionally, as an event promoter for United States Strongman and is a warehouse gym owner.
Jazmin is excited to bring all of her experiences and interests to work with the association throughout the State of Vermont, breaking barriers to reach all those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Jazmin lives in Williston with her fiance and pitty-pup, Pixie.
Jazmin can be reached at (802) 433- 4244 ext 2267, jmaverbuck@alz.org.