About CLI

An article about us in the Champlain Business Journal

Why the Center for Leadership and Innovation?

Who We Are:

The Center for Leadership and Innovation (CLI) in partnership with UVM Continuing Education was created to address the needs of developing leaders and growing companies in Vermont.

What We Do:

The CLI offers a Professional Certificate in Leadership and Management, one and two day management development seminars, week-long intensive programs for professionals and in-house corporate training solutions. Additionally, we are a point of access for area businesses to a variety of UVM resources. Also affiliated with the Center for Leadership and Innovation is the Vermont Family Business Initiative (VFBI), an ongoing membership program that provides a training and support network to family businesses in the state.

How We Can Help:

Through our seminars, intensive summer programs, corporate training and the VFBI, the Center for Leadership and Innovation is poised to support your business to compete in a global economy. As a portal to University of Vermont resources, the CLI can provide you and your business leadership training, access to academic expertise and research partnerships, student internship opportunities, graduate and undergraduate education, and other University initiatives. Understanding your needs, we can help your business go from knowledge to action.

Your educational opportunities through the Center for Leadership and Innovation include:

CLI Staff:

Alison Maynard, Director of Public Program at UVM’s Center for Leadership and Innovation

Alison Maynard has been at UVM for almost ten years, and during this time she has held a variety of positions including Director of the Vermont Business Center, State Outreach Coordinator, and Senior Program Developer. At Continuing Education she has worked with audiences around the state to create diverse learning opportunities. Her other experiences in higher education include the Center for 4-H Youth Development at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Since 2008, Alison has been a member of the Lake Champlain Workforce Investment Board and is a member of its Executive and Planning Committees. Alison’s non-profit experiences include special event planning and fundraising at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has been active in the program planning committee of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and is currently a board member for Child Care Resources.

Alison is a 1994 graduate of the University of Vermont. She lives in Burlington with her husband and two children. Alison attended graduate school at UMass, Boston and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at UVM. For fun she and her family enjoy outdoor concerts, Burlington’s bike path and parks, community festivals, and local agriculture.

Tracey Maurer, Director of Corporate Training and New Business Development

Tracey Maurer
Tracey is a Senior Program Developer and leads the Corporate Training Development team at The University of Vermont.
Tracey is responsible for business development, outreach, professional development and executive education within UVM’s Continuing Education department. Tracey joined UVM in 2008.

Tracey serves on the University of Vermont’s Personal and Professional Development and Occupational Environment Committee. She is also a board member for the Conference on Management, Executive and Professional Development Programs. Tracey is active with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

In 1994, Tracey founded Kids Vermont, a magazine for families throughout the state. For over fifteen years she served as editor, publisher, and marketing director before selling the business. Tracey’s background has been focused on business development, marketing, advertising and sales.

Tracey previously worked as an Account Executive in New York City for McCann Erickson, and in Vermont for Jager, Dipaola, and Kemp Design.

Heather Palow, Program Planner

Heather Palow is the Program Planner for the Center for Leadership and Innovation. Previous to this position, Heather worked at the University of Vermont for more than five years in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Heather’s higher education background has focused on undergraduate and graduate student recruitment, retention, diversity, and event management.

Jennifer Lian, Student Advisor

Jennifer Lian has worked at the University of Vermont for more than 10 years in a variety of departments. Most recently Jennifer advises Continuing Education students, with a focus on Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) students, career changers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students aligning for research and careers in Business and the Environment. As part of her graduate studies in Education at the University of Vermont, Jennifer was awarded the Gerald Saddlemire Masters Research Award from the National Association of American College Personnel (ACPA). Jennifer holds an M.Ed. with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Vermont. Prior to her academic career, Jennifer worked for nearly 10 years as a graphic designer, editor and free-lance photojournalist.

Christina Economou, Program Coordinator

Christina Economou graduated from UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies. Originally from Marblehead, Massachusetts she moved to Vermont for college and simply could not leave Burlington after graduation. She is the Program Coordinator for the Center for Leadership and Innovation as well as for programs within the environment portfolio.