Raising a Glass to Women’s Leadership

The Vermont Community Foundation is proud to be home to the Vermont Women’s Fund, a statewide initiative dedicated to advancing gender equity through strategic philanthropy and community leadership.

That shared commitment to progress was on full display at an unforgettable event, hosted by Lawson’s Finest to celebrate International Women’s Day and the enduring impact of women in business, philanthropy, and community life.

Led by Lawson’s Finest’s CEO Adeline Druart, the event featured a keynote from Emily Bush, Director of the Vermont Women’s Fund, and a compelling panel discussion with four of Vermont’s most inspiring women business leaders: Karen Colberg (King Arthur Baking), Sas Stewart (Adventure Dinner), Libby Parent (Vermont’s Original Bag Balm), and Sascha Mayer (Mamava).

“You’re here because you want to be hopeful, you want to be inspired, you want to connect, you want to learn, you want to engage,” said Adeline in her opening remarks. “And that’s what we hope we’re going to deliver here today.”

The Vermont Women’s Fund, plays a crucial role in advancing gender equity across the state. Emily Bush captured the essence of this mission in her keynote: “We all have a part to play in making sure that women’s voices, ideas, and leadership are at the forefront of this movement.  Let’s keep supporting and celebrating women, because when they succeed, we all do.”

From personal journeys to professional insights, the panelists shared candid reflections. “It’s like 50% believing in yourself and 50% having it reflected back at you,” said Sas Stewart. “If I can hit that balance… that’s the feeling.” Libby Parent added, “I can only be my authentic self. And I think sometimes growing up in your career, you may get advice to be different than you are. I was never very good at that.”

The panelists brought both humor and heart as they shared the realities of leadership in Vermont and beyond. Karen Colberg, CEO of King Arthur Baking Company, offered a moving reflection on the roots of her work ethic: “What I believe really deeply is that there are parts of us that are just deep in our DNA, and they’re who we are… For me, I have this incredible work ethic. It’s from my grandmother—she was an entrepreneur… And that work ethic is deep inside me.”

Sascha Mayer, cofounder of Mamava, closed the panel with a powerful reminder of what leadership often looks like behind the scenes: “There’s a million decisions. There’s a million moments. It’s saying yes, and it’s taking on challenges. It’s sharing the idea. It’s being brave every single day with a million different decisions.”

The event also spotlighted Lawson’s Finest’s Social Impact Program, which partners with Vermont nonprofits—including the Vermont Women’s Fund—to brew purpose-driven collaborations. “The Social Impact Program is a huge part of what it means to be part of Lawson’s Finest. Every year, we brew about 10 or 12 different beers in collaboration with amazing nonprofit organizations across Vermont,” said Carra Cheslin, SIP Manager. She added, “We’re so excited to be partnering with VCF, and to continue to build that relationship into the future. This event is just the beginning.”

As the event transitioned into a lively networking hour, attendees continued to connect and reflect. “It’s really important to come together, to be in community as we try to create the future we want to see,” said Stacie Fagan, Vice President of Philanthropy at the Vermont Community Foundation. “That power of connection, shared experience, and mentorship—even in a group setting—was really palpable today.”

This gathering served as a powerful reminder that leadership rooted in empathy, authenticity, and collaboration can transform communities from the inside out. Attendees left feeling energized and more connected to a community of women who truly want to lift each other up.

Thank you to the entire Lawson’s Finest team for their commitment to Vermont.  As Emily so perfectly captured in her keynote, “Sean and Karen Lawson have pulled on every lever of their business to drive social impact—brand, product, culture, core values and philanthropy.”  

Together, we’re not just raising a glass—we’re raising the bar for what’s possible when women lead, communities come together, and purpose drives progress.

And it shows.