Team Members
Explore and learn more about the team
behind UVM Thrive Guide. Our teams hold multiple roles aimed to make each campaign a success.
Jordan McDermott
Project Manager
Hi! I'm Jordan, I am a senior majoring in Public Communication with a concentration in design and a minor in consumer and advertising. I love going to school in Burlington because of the easy access to so many great outdoor spots.
Addy Czartoski
Brand Researcher
Hello my name is Addy! I’m a senior here at UVM with an Environmental science major, ecological design concentration and a consumer and advertising minor. I am from Michigan and now feel at home here in Burlington. I love working with kids, farming and painting. I am looking forward to sharing ways I have connected with Nature in Burlington over the last four years.
Kate Heilenbach
Website & Graphics
Hi I’m Kate, a senior at UVM majoring in studio art. I am originally from Chicago but have fallen in love with Burlington. I’m happiest when I’m hiking, swimming or at the beach. I’m excited to be a part of the thrive guide team and improve my graphic design skills!
Jackson Root
Writer
Hi! My name is Jackson Root, I am a senior majoring in public communications and in political science. I am the writer in the nature group of the UVM Thrive Guide. I am from Calais, Vermont. I coach baseball for a high school team in the spring and a legion team in the summer. I have enjoyed multiple writing/journalism internships in my time at UVM. I look forward to writing for our group and getting out helpful information about connecting to nature!
Abby Hanson
Podcaster
Hi! My name is Abby Hanson, and I’m a junior at UVM. I’m double-majoring in English and anthropology, and my minors are in Public Communication and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. My role in the Thrive Guide is as the podcaster for the Nature Team. Outside of class, you can find me at meetings for UVM’s Amnesty International chapter, The Gist Literary Magazine, and UVM Program Board (UPB).
Georgia Brox
Project Manager
Hey everyone! My name is Georgia Brox and I'm a senior Public Communications and Design major. My favorite way to stay connected to the UVM community is through the club ski team and skateboarding. Reaching out to anyone I enjoyed meeting was the best way I made the friends I have now and hopefully will have for a long time to come.
Moses Delane
Brand Researcher
Hello! My name is Moses Delane and I am a Junior studying Community Entrepreneurship at UVM. I am originally from Chicago, Illinois but I was raised in Fairfax, Vermont. My favorite way to feel connected with my UVM community is through my participation on the UVM’s Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Program. UVM Team Chill has helped me create long-lasting bonds with both our immediate UVM community and the Ultimate Frisbee communities that exist on other campuses across the country. I am happiest when I am throwing pieces of plastic at my friends.
Amanda Tran
Website & Graphics
Hiya! My name is Amanda Tran and I am a senior studying Community and International Development with a minor in Public Communication. I was born and raised in Burlington, VT. My favorite way to feel connected with the UVM Community is through my position at the FOUR Office! My involvement has allowed me to connect with many students and provided me with lasting connections!
Caroline Currey
Writer
Heyo! My name is Caroline Currey and I am a junior studying Political Science with a double minor in Public Communications and Psychology. I am from Cockeysville, Maryland. My favorite way to stay connected to the UVM community is through my participation on the UVM Crew team. I have been on the team since my freshman year and can’t imagine life without my silly, wonderful teammates! I have definitely made lifelong friends!
Emma Utterback
Podcaster
Hey y’all! My name is Emma Utterback and I am a senior studying Public Communications with a specialization in media and journalism. I’ve lived in Greenwood, Indiana my whole life, but decided to play basketball at the University of Vermont to try something new. My favorite way to stay connected to the UVM Community is through athletics. By being on the women’s basketball team, I have met so many amazing people from my team and other teams and have developed long lasting friendships.
Zanna Branicki
Brand Manager
Hi! My name is Zanna Branicki and I am a current junior at UVM. I’m studying sociology as well as consumer and advertising. I’m a member of Delta Delta Delta here on campus. You’ll find me hanging out with my friends or going on a sunset walk!
Cam Morrissey
Website & Graphics
Hi! I'm Cam Morrissey, a junior in the business school focusing on marketing and sustainable business. I'm also a member of the women's ice hockey team here at UVM. I'm originally from California, and love the beach and hiking!
Jenn Benati
Podcaster
Hi, my name is Jenn Benati. I am a Junior studying Communication Design with a minor in Business. On campus, I am the Director of PR for UVM LWT. I am also a member of the Orchesis Dance Company.
Talia Seidman
Writer
Hey! My name is Talia Seidman and I’m a junior and Psychology major at UVM. I’m apart of the exec team for Kappa Alpha Theta and UVM Marketing Club. My favorite thing to do in Vermont is watch the sunsets at the Waterfront!
Elle Zymba
Brand Manager
Hi! My name is Elle Zymba and I am a junior at UVM. I am a business student with a concentration in marketing and a minor in applied design. On campus I am the president of the UVM Ski and Snowboard club, fostering the East Coast ski community with over 4000 members! When I’m not on campus, you can find me pouring wine at Dedalus, a local wine bar or ripping up the slopes at Mad River Glen!
Emma Havers
Graphic Designer
Hi, everyone! I’m Emma. I’m a third-year at UVM studying business with a concentration in marketing and business analytics, and a minor in applied design. When I’m not creating graphics for UVM Thrive Guide, you’ll find me spending time with my family and friends. I’m excited to hopefully help UVM students reconnect with themselves through the information in this campaign.
Zipporah Hommel
Podcaster & Writer
Hi everyone. I’m Zipporah, and this is my third year at UVM. I am a history major (and loving it) and I have two minors, one in economics and one in public communication. I make podcasts for UVM Thrive Guide, but when I’m not doing that you can still hear me speaking on 90.1 WRUV FM Burlington, where I have a weekly radio show. I love listening to music, going for runs and hanging out with my friends by Champlain Lake. What excites me the most about this project is its application to my own life. I relate a lot to the topics we discuss, and actually use the tips we promote in my own day-to-day experiences.
Samantha Paquette
Writer
Hi, folks! I’m Sam, a third year UVM student. I have two majors - Human Development and Family Studies, and Public Communications. When I’m not writing blogs for UVM Thrive Guide, you’ll see me rehearsing with my A Cappella group, The Cat’s Meow, leading a life group in Chi Alpha Christian Ministries, or taking a fitness class at the gym (cycling is the best!). I’ve been so excited to have the creative freedom to write about what’s interesting to me and what evidence shows is helpful in boosting happiness, and sharing that with students.
Sam Heinrichs
Team Leader
Hi, y’all. I’m Sam, a third-year Public Communications major with a minor in Community and International Development. Outside of UVM Thrive Guide, you’ll catch me spending as much time in the sun as I can, or chatting online with friends. This experience has been an exciting challenge, as I’ve learned how to manage both a team and a social media campaign.
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“Mikey” Hongzhe Piao
Podcast
Hello, everyone! I’m Mikey. I’m a fourth-year student at UVM majoring in Entrepreneurship. This campaign has been a fun opportunity to grow my organizational skills and personal development, and to challenge myself creating content.
Sophia Molho
Writer
Hello! I’m Sophia Molho. I’m a fourth year at UVM, and I’m studying community entrepreneurship with an environmental studies minor. When I’m not researching for this campaign, I am interning and the Attorney Generals Office Consumer Assistance program. This is my first social media campaign, so I’m excited to make my debut on the social media scene, and apply the research skills I’ve learned to a “real-world” project.