Capstone Community Action Selects Alison Calderara as New Executive Director
For Immediate Release
Yvonne Lory, Capstone Community Action
Phone (802) 479-1053
Email: ylory@capstonevt.org
Capstone Community Action Selects Alison Calderara as New Executive Director
(Barre, VT) The Board of Directors of Capstone Community Action is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Calderara as the organization’s next Executive Director.
Following a comprehensive national search led by Beth Gilpin Consulting and Capstone's Executive Director Search Committee, Calderara was selected to lead the organization with overall strategic and operational responsibility. As Executive Director, she will report to the Board of Directors and oversee Capstone’s mission-driven programs, dedicated staff, and business affairs while guiding the organization’s community impact, financial sustainability, and long-term growth.
“After a thorough national search, we are proud to hire Alison for this critical role for Capstone,” said Abby White, Chair of the Capstone Board of Directors and Executive Director Search Committee. “She is a thoughtful, collaborative leader who brings both strategic vision and a deep commitment to equity and opportunity. Alison’s experience and values are a strong match for Capstone’s mission and the communities we serve. This is a critical moment for anti-poverty work in Vermont, and we are confident she is the right person to lead Capstone.”
Capstone’s Search Committee comprised of board members and staff, in partnership with Beth Gilpin Consulting, prioritized candidates with strong backgrounds in financial oversight, strategic planning, program development, and advocacy. The ideal profile called for at least seven years of senior leadership in regional or statewide organizations and a proven track record of advancing strategic initiatives.
Calderara brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont’s communities. She most recently served as Chief of Programs and Advancement at Capstone, where she played a key role in program design, external partnerships, and strategic growth. Her past leadership roles include 25 years of nonprofit executive experience in managing, developing and funding federal programs, operations, fundraising and advocacy and as the CEO of a large nonprofit agency.
“I am honored and excited to step into the Executive Director role at Capstone Community Action,” said Alison Calderara. “This organization has a powerful 60-year legacy of helping Vermonters meet their basic needs and build long-term stability. I look forward to working with our incredible staff, Board, and community partners to strengthen and expand our impact in the years to come.”
The leadership transition follows the departure of Sue Minter, who stepped down in December 2024 after six years as Executive Director. Since that time, Sarah McMullen, Chief of Operations, and Alison Calderara, formerly the Chief of Programs and Advancement, have served as Interim Co-Executive Directors. They filled that capacity until Alison formally assumed the Executive Director role on July 25, 2025.
Capstone Community Action was founded in 1965 and works to overcome poverty by serving people in crisis and creating economic opportunity for people and communities. Capstone’s programs include emergency food, heat assistance, housing counseling and homelessness intervention, savings and credit coaching, business counseling, workforce development, home weatherization, transportation access, and child and family development programs in Early Head Start/Head Start. We serve over 10,250 individuals and families through these programs each year. www.capstonevt.org.
###
