We’re Hiring!

The NEK Collaborative is excited to announce a search for our next Executive Director, a passionate, skilled facilitator ready to spark positive change across the region!

This leader will:
• Build an inclusive, shared vision for the region
• Connect projects to funding and resources
• Strengthen collaboration among partners
• Maintain strong relationships with leaders across sectors — from local partners to USDA Rural Development and all levels of government

If you care deeply about the Northeast Kingdom and want to help shape a vibrant future, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply by sending resume + cover letter to Alia Salem, alia@nekcollaborative.org

Deadline to Apply: Friday, April 3

Executive Director Job Description

Our Team

**Abby Long**
Interim Executive Director
Abby considers herself fortunate to have lived and worked in a wide range of environments around the world. Her experiences include teaching in rural China, Southeast Asia, the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and Belize, as well as contributing to Gulf Coast restoration efforts through AmeriCorps following Hurricane Katrina.
She holds a B.A. in Public & Community Service Studies and American Studies from Providence College, and a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Service, Leadership & Management from the School for International Training Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont. Abby holds a certificate from Marlboro College in Nonprofit Management and is a recent graduate of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute.
For eight years, Abby served as the Executive Director of Kingdom Trails, where she championed the power of outdoor recreation to support community and economic vitality. Today, she is honored to continue advancing the Northeast Kingdom region she calls home, where she lives with her husband and their 5-year-old son.

Alia Salem

Communications & Design Coordinator

Alia began her career in 2020 after graduating from the University of Florida and has since built a strong background in brand strategy, UX, and visual design.

Her work spans brand identity, graphic design, web design, and user experience, with a focus on clear communication and meaningful connection.

Alia has roots in Newport, Vermont, and stays connected to the region while working remotely across the U.S in her self-converted shuttle bus. She is also the founder of the Adventurepreneur Design Den, where she supports creative small businesses in building strategic online brands.

Board Organization

For decades, our board has been organized to cover the region’s concerns thoroughly and address them effectively. In the center of our board, leading with decisive action, we have advisors and directors from the region’s finest and most dedicated change-making organizations. Our sector advisors, covering everything from manufacturing to faith, make sure that all of the region’s concerns are given adequate voice in the planning of our projects.