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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 8, 2026 

Northeast Kingdom Collaborative Announces Abby Long as Executive Director

NORTHEAST KINGDOM, VT — The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative (NEK Collaborative) Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Abby Long as its new Executive Director following a competitive and public search process conducted over the past several months.

Long has served as the Collaborative’s Interim Executive Director since September 2025, guiding the organization through a period of renewed energy, strong regional engagement, and significant progress on strategic priorities. Following a search that attracted multiple qualified applicants, interviews with candidates, and evaluation by a hiring committee composed of board members, community leaders, and staff, the Board selected Long to lead the organization into its next chapter.

“Conducting an open and competitive search was important to our board,” said Dave Snedeker, Executive Director of the Northeastern Vermont Development Association and Executive Committee member of the NEK Collaborative. “It demonstrates our commitment to transparency and accountability while ensuring we selected the strongest possible leader for the Northeast Kingdom. Abby’s vision, collaborative approach, and proven results made her the clear choice.”

Founded in 1996, the NEK Collaborative maintains the Northeast Kingdom’s Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone designation agreement with USDA Rural Development, serving as the region’s neutral and nonpartisan convener, bringing together communities, organizations, businesses, and government partners to identify and advance shared regional priorities. 

A resident of Burke, Long and her family have called the Northeast Kingdom home for nearly a decade. Her husband, Brandon Mapes, is a middle school Special Education teacher down the road at the town school where their 5 year old is a thriving Kindergartener. “The Northeast Kingdom is our chosen home,” said Long. “This region is surrounded by stunning landscapes and supported by wonderful people who care deeply about their communities. It is an honor to serve as the Executive Director and I am incredibly grateful for the trust placed in me.”

Prior to joining the Collaborative, Long was the Executive Director of the Kingdom Trail Association for eight years. She holds a graduate degree in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management from the School for International Training in Brattleboro VT and a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College in American Studies and Public and Community Service Studies.  She has received further business executive and nonprofit management certificates, and is a graduate of the Snelling Center for Government Vermont Leadership Institute. She also serves on numerous statewide and regional boards and committees, helping ensure the Northeast Kingdom has a strong voice in conversations that shape Vermont’s future.

Michael Strait, Town Manager of Brighton shared, “Over the years, Abby and I have served together on numerous boards and committees, and I have consistently been impressed by her ability to bring people together, build consensus, and help communities see how they can work collaboratively toward common goals. As someone representing a town in Essex County, an area that too often feels left out of conversations intended to benefit the entire Northeast Kingdom, I especially value Abby’s ability to make all communities feel included and heard.” 

During her time as Interim Executive Director, Long led several key programs, including a successful NEK Together Conference, coordination of NEK Day at the Statehouse, and creation of the Housing Hubbub, an ongoing regional housing convening. She was instrumental  in advocating for the release of REAP Zone funding that had been delayed at the federal level, helping secure more than $1.2 million in investment for Northeast Kingdom projects.

“Through Abby’s leadership, the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative has come alive.” said Linda Ramsdell, President of Headwaters Community Trust. “Abby leads with a rare blend of professionalism, light-heartedness and creativity. This is especially welcome and needed in the Northeast Kingdom, where challenges around health care, housing, the economy and climate change can seem overwhelming. Abby brings her refreshing energy and a collaborative spirit to every conversation and convening, making it possible for people to see new possibilities.”

Looking ahead, Long will guide the development of the Collaborative’s next organizational strategic plan, continue strengthening federal, state, and local partnerships, advance economic development initiatives, and help ensure the rural region and its priorities remain at the center of funding and policy decisions.

Rick Ufford-Chase, Mayor of the City of Newport and Executive Director of Newport Downtown Development shares, “In my judgment, Abby is the right person for this job at the right moment in time. This role demands an interesting combination of bold, deliberative leadership and consistent, thoughtful patience. NEK Collaborative has the opportunity to transform our communities if the new ED truly understands what it means to work behind the scenes to bring people together and nurture their shared vision for the community. I believe Abby brings this skills set to the table, and look forward to working with her."

“At its core, the Collaborative exists to convene and listen, then determine and transform regional priorities into meaningful action,” Long said. “I believe in the strength of our Kingdom and the power of collaboration and am excited to work together for a more vibrant and resilient future for our home.”

About the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative

The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community and economic development across Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. As the holder of the Northeast Kingdom’s federal REAP Zone, Rural Economic Area Partnership Program, designation agreement with USDA Rural Development, the Collaborative serves as a neutral convenor to determine regional priorities and works to ensure these priorities are reflected in all levels of decision making to strengthen the region’s future. To learn more about the NEK Collaborative, please visit www.nekcollaborative.org