Meet the Board (Karen Duguay)

Meet the Board

Every month "Around the Chamber" will introduce our readers to a member of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

In this issue, we introduce you to ACCOC Board Member Karen Duguay, Executive Director of the Better Middlebury Partnership

How long have you lived and/or worked in Addison County?

I grew up in Addison County, moved away for college and the start of my career and then returned with my husband to raise our family here. We’ve been back in Addison County now for the last 15 years.

I am the Executive Director of the Better Middlebury Partnership, which is a community-building organization in Middlebury. Our focus is on creating community connections, facilitating volunteerism, supporting businesses and helping our community be as vibrant as possible through events, programs and partnerships. We host many of the large events in Middlebury, including Very Merry Middlebury and Midd Night Strolls, the Midd Summer Market series, the Downtown Block Party, Spooktacular and most recently the Middlebury Car Show and Fall Festival in partnership with ACCOC.

The BMP and the Chamber have representation on each other’s boards and I’m pleased to have been able to fill this role on behalf of the BMP for the last five years or so. I think the top three issues that we hear about most frequently are housing, staffing and access to childcare. Those three things are certainly intertwined with each other and are impacting many of our local businesses.

Tell us about your career?

How long have you volunteered with the Chamber’s Board?

Karen Duguay

In 2022, what do you see as the most challenging issue(s) facing business in Addison County?

The Chamber of Commerce’s role in supporting business and non-profits in Addison County is always evolving. In your view, what should be the Chamber’s strategic direction coming out of the pandemic?

I’d love to see the Chamber think creatively about using our county’s assets to bring visitors to the area. I’m also looking forward to continuing to partner with the Chamber and other regional entities as we move away from working in silos and move further toward collaboration and shared vision and leadership in the county.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?