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Barbara Benedict
Barbara McClure Benedict has served as President of the Foundation since 2017 and has served on its board since 2001. Born into the family that published The Burlington Free Press over three generations, Barbara learned from her parents and grandparents the importance of community service, of sustained philanthropic leadership, and of access to lifelong learning opportunities. Barbara holds postgraduate degrees in business administration and information resources/library studies from Boston University and the University of Arizona. While rearing thee children and working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Barbara and her husband lived in many communities overseas and across the United States. In 2007/8, Barbara spearheaded initiatives to assess and address the barriers Vermonters face in obtaining postsecondary and career education. These varied experiences all contribute to the perspective she brings to the Foundation's philanthropic efforts. She continues to guide the Foundation's strategies to research and support the continuously changing ecosystems that influence access to postsecondary education and workforce development in Vermont.