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The VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement goes to ...
Ellen Kahler
Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
This award is named in honor of late VBSR Board member Terry Ehrich, this award is given to a person exemplifying Terry's outstanding leadership, including sustained commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy, and community.
For the past 20 years, Ellen has led VSJF with vision and purpose, launching transformative initiatives such as Vermont Farm to Plate, DeltaClimeVT, the Vermont Forest Products Program, and a robust business management coaching program. Her leadership has mobilized millions of dollars in grant and investment capital for Vermont businesses, shaped public policy, and supported countless values-led entrepreneurs. Ellen’s impact spans agriculture, forest products, energy, and workforce development—making her a cornerstone of Vermont’s socially responsible business ecosystem.
The VBSR Innovation & Inspiration Award goes to ...
Vermont Green Football Club
This award recognizes VBSR member organizations who have accomplished a recent innovative and/or inspirational achievement
in the areas of Planet (Environmental Impact), People (Social Impact), and Prosperity (Economic Impact).
Vermont Green FC is a values-led soccer club that mobilizes fans for environmental justice and social inclusion. In just a few seasons, the team has become a model for using sport as a vehicle for change—choosing vendors and partners aligned with their mission, and inspiring joy and advocacy across Vermont. The club’s commitment to people, planet, and prosperity sets a new standard for sports organizations nationwide.
The VBSR Young Changemaker Award goes to ...
Sam Bellavance
Founder & Executive Director at Sunset Lake CBD; Lake Effect Vermont; and Sunset Lake Cannabis
This award recognizes an individual under age 40 who has led the formation of a socially responsible enterprise.
The awardee is selected based on their ability to use the power of business to advance innovative solutions to society’s challenges.
Born and raised in South Burlington, Vermont, Sam has always had a passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship. After graduating from American University in 2017 with a degree in finance, Sam decided to return home and work at his family’s dairy farm in Alburg, Vermont. During this time Sam decided to grow 10 acres of hemp, beginning a journey that would lead to the creation of Sunset Lake CBD, a vertically integrated business crafting CBD products with hemp grown at the family farm. Sunset Lake CBD now sells CBD products to all 50 states, all while remaining true to its roots as a family farm, now located in South Hero. In 2022 Sam launched Sunset Lake Cannabis, another farming business designed to serve Vermont’s new recreational cannabis market. In 2023, Sam launched Lake Effect Vermont, a Cannabis dispensary in South Hero, Vermont.
Sam believes that Vermont’s small locally-owned businesses are what give our cannabis market such a unique character. As a Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont (CRAV) board member, Sam is working hard to preserve what makes Vermont’s cannabis market special, while also meeting with lawmakers and the Cannabis Control Board to develop policies that improve the market for licensees and consumers.
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