VEDA’s Leadership Team

VEDA has expert talent with decades of experience leading financial organizations who work together to help the state’s economy grow and flourish by serving as Vermont’s premier economic development and agricultural lender.


Joan Goldstein
	Joan became Chief Executive Officer of the Vermont Economic Development Authority in July 2025. Before that, Joan was Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. Appointed by Governor Shumlin and reappointed by Governor Scott, she enjoyed bi-partisan support for her economic development initiatives including offering incentives to workers who relocate to Vermont, investing in move-in ready rural industrial sites, and cleaning brownfields so they can be redeveloped. Joan’s driving focus has been the attraction, expansion, and retention of business; expanding municipal grand list values; and human capital development. Prior to her efforts at the state level, Joan was a regional economic developer in northern Windsor and Orange Counties and worked at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse in New York City. Joan lives in Shelburne with her husband Mark and their dog, Lola. Joan may be reached at (802) 828-5464 or jgoldstein@veda.org.
Peter Samson
	Peter Samson was named Chief Lending Officer of the Authority on July 1, 2019. A commercial banker for 28 years, Peter has provided financing solutions and banking services to businesses across New England, developing a strong working knowledge of regional economic development. Before joining VEDA, Peter held the position of Connecticut Region Executive for Berkshire Bank where his team focused on direct commercial lending and business development for small businesses, middle market clients, not-for-profit entities, and real estate developers. Samson previously worked at People’s United, Fleet and Webster Banks. He holds a B.S. from Central Connecticut State University and an M.B.A. from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. Peter resides in Fayston where he has been a long-time weekend resident of the Mad River Valley. He and his wife enjoy all that the MRV has to offer as well as visiting their son in Burlington. Peter may be reached at (802) 828-5459 or psamson@veda.org.
Thaddeus Richardson
	Thad Richardson was named VEDA's Chief Financial Officer in February 2020. A lifelong Vermonter, Thad has twenty years of experience in financial services, including fifteen at Community National Bank where he served first as VP of Commercial Lending, then as VP of Municipal Services & Asset Liability Management. His responsibilities included the Bank’s government banking operation as well as financial oversight of its investment portfolio, interest rate risk function, and overall balance sheet management. Richardson is an active member of the Vermont Economic Progress Council, a Trustee at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and past Board Chair of Northern Counties Health Care. He earned a B.A. in Accounting from Castleton University and an M.B.A with Finance concentration from Clarkson University. Thad lives in Lyndon with his wife and two daughters and may be reached at (802) 828-5470 or trichardson@veda.org.
Renée Grzankowski
	Renée Grzankowski was named VEDA's Chief Operations Officer in 2019 and joined as Director of Operations in July 2017. Formerly Vice-President of Operations for a Central Vermont insurance brokerage firm, Renée also held a variety of national and international corporate and investment banking positions with over twenty years in financial services, including a near decade at Wachovia Bank, N.A. Renée earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Bates College and made Calais, where her extended family has resided for eight generations, her full-time home in 2008. She and her husband have three children and are active members of their community, serving on local, non-profit boards and coaching youth sports. Renée may be reached at (802) 828-0754 or rgrzankowski@veda.org.
Jennifer Emens-Butler
	Jennifer became Chief Legal Officer of VEDA in July of 2025, having previously served as General Counsel and Director of Closing since joining VEDA in January of 2021. Prior to joining VEDA, Jennifer was the Director of Education and Communication and Past-President of the Vermont Bar Association. Prior to 2016, Jennifer practiced law in the field of business and consumer bankruptcy for nearly 20 years following her federal clerkship in the US Bankruptcy Court. Jennifer is currently serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Aspire Living & Learning, an organization that provides services for neurodiverse children and adults in several states and serves on the Northfield Savings Bank Foundation Board. She lives in East Montpelier with her family and enjoys paddleboarding with her Cavapoo in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter and nature photography in all of Vermont’s seasons.
Cheryl Houchens
	Cheryl Houchens is VEDA’s Director of Human Resources & Compliance and has extensive experience in community and regional banking. Cheryl joined VEDA in 2017 after over 25 years in commercial lending, credit administration, and compliance risk management. Cheryl holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina and is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager through the Institute of Certified Bankers. Cheryl loves being active outdoors and appreciates the natural beauty of Vermont. She lives in South Burlington with her husband, Paul, and their two children and is an active member of her community. Cheryl can be reached at (802) 595-3015 or chouchens@veda.org.
Sarah Isham
	Sarah Isham is Director of Agricultural Business Development. Sarah had been VACC’s Senior Agricultural Loan Officer since 2000, having started her tenure with VACC as an Agricultural Loan Officer in 1994. Sarah previously had a 14-year career with USDA as an Assistant County Supervisor at Farmers Home Administration, where she originated farm and housing loans. Sarah graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Animal Science. A resident of Brookfield, she is actively involved in the Vermont horse industry and community organizations. Sarah may be reached at (802) 828-5463 or sisham@veda.org.