Community Investments tailors staffing of projects to the needs of the client. We augment associates’ areas of expertise with assistance from a team of professionals in a wide variety of disciplines. We are,
MBA, Wharton; economic development consultant
For the past 25 years, Jill has been the Principal of a Community Investments a firm that assists nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, and state government in Northern New England. Before that, in Vermont, she was the Executive Director of the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation and came to Vermont to serve and Director of Development for the Town of Rockingham. Earlier work in Philadelphia included serving as Executive Director for the Community Development Coalition, Inc., a coalition of 20 community development corporations across the city; Researcher for employment and training think tank, Public/Private Ventures, and staff to City Councilwoman Joan Specter.
Her areas of expertise include:
Jill received an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA/MPA degree from the Wharton School of Business and Finance.
VEC involvement
Jill served as President and volunteer CEO for the Vermont Environmental Consortium for seven years until she stepped down at the end of 2016 to become a member of the VEC Board. She led the transition from staff-run, in debt organization to a fiscally sound, well respected member of Vermont’s environmental community, overseeing a variety of research projects and events, most recently establishing a VT Department of Labor-funded “green careers website” and holding a Trade Show celebrating new and emerging environmental businesses. She oversaw securing funds and overseeing grants received from private and public sources for the work of the organization.
Specifically, she
MS, Connecticut State Southern University; BA Goddard College; fundraising, government relations, nonprofit board organization
Judy Bevans joined CI in 2015. She currently serves as Executive Director of the North Woods Stewardship Center, an educational, research and conservation service organization serving the communities of northern Vermont and New Hampshire since 1989. Its Education, Conservation Corps, and Forest Stewardship Initiative programs interconnect to provide the knowledge and skills needed to understand the northern landscape, make use of its resources wisely, and help sustain vibrant communities and a healthier natural environment. Prior to that, Judy served as Sterling College’s Director of Advancement and Government Relations from 2011-2014. Sterling is small, liberal arts college focusing on the environment, ecology and advancement. Judy has also served as Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party and on the VEDP Executive Committee.
Recent board service has included the Vermont Conservation Voters, EmergeVT and the Planned Parenthood PAC Committee.
She attended Southern Connecticut State University where she received a double MS in Therapeutic Recreation and Exercise Physiology and attended Goddard College, receiving a BS with a concentration in Gerontology.