Minter Steps Down from Capstone Community Action after Six Successful Years; Two long-standing leaders to take the helm

To download: Press Release 11.15.2024

For Immediate Release

Contact: Yvonne Lory, Capstone Community Action
Phone: (802) 479-1053
Email: ylory@capstonevt.org

Minter Steps Down from Capstone Community Action after Six Successful Years;

Two long-standing leaders to take the helm

(Barre, VT) Sue Minter, executive director of Capstone Community Action, announced that she will be stepping down at the end of the year after serving in that position since 2018.

“The Board is grateful to Sue for bringing her considerable experience and skills to leading this organization,” said Jon Valsangiacomo, chair of Capstone’s board of directors. “Sue has guided Capstone through an unprecedented period of challenge – from the COVID pandemic to historic flooding. She has worked to ensure that the most vulnerable Vermonters were cared for at a time of great uncertainty.”

“Sue leaves Capstone on solid footing,” shared Valsangiacomo. He noted that her announcement has given the organization ample time for a smooth transition to new leadership. Sarah McMullen, chief of operations, and Alison Calderara, chief of programs and advancement, will serve as interim co-directors while Capstone conducts a leadership search.

Under Minter’s leadership, Capstone has deepened its community impact by expanding the types of programs and services it has provided. In six years, Capstone’s budget grew from $16M to over $27M, encompassing new and innovative programs and additional staffing (170 -200 staff over 6 years). This has allowed the organization to serve far more people in both their crisis services (food, heat, and housing) as well as for home weatherization, Head Start, and financial empowerment programs. In 2024 Capstone provided support to over 9,400 Central Vermonters, including, weatherizing 680 homes, providing early education and Head Start services to 270 families and providing nutritious food to individuals and families who visited our food shelf over 9,000 times.

“I feel very proud of what we’ve accomplished at Capstone”, said Minter. “Capstone has been a statewide leader through a pandemic and natural disasters as well as a trusted partner and friend to vulnerable Vermonters.”

Minter played a critical leadership role in activating central Vermont’s Regional Response Command Centers at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, which was informed by her experience with the State’s recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. Her professional relationships strengthened Capstone’s community collaborations and participation in numerous committees, boards, coalitions, and partnerships to directly support and advocate for central Vermonters who are unhoused and food insecure.

Minter also broadened the mission of Capstone and helped Community Action Agencies be forceful advocates for low-income Vermonters at the State House. This advocacy helped lead to new transportation equity programs that help low-income Vermonters purchase energy efficient used cars through “MileageSmart” and receive rides to essential services through the EV Transportation service “GOPHER”.

Minter stated, “It has been such a privilege to work with Capstone’s caring and talented staff to serve Vermonters. Every day, we work with our neighbors and provide them with dignity and hope as they create brighter futures for themselves.” She noted, “I am not retiring, just stepping back to recharge. I look forward to finding new ways to serve my community in the challenging years ahead.”

“We are grateful to Sue for the extraordinary service that she has provided and wish her the best in her next chapter,” said Valsangiacomo.

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. Capstone serves over 9,300 people through these programs each year.