The Faculty
At Green Mountain College you’ll be part of a dynamic learning environment deeply rooted in the ethos of sustainability. GMC has offered a business degree program for over seventy years, and made the environment a special area of focus for undergraduate programs in 1995. Now recognized as a national leader in sustainability, GMC introduced the nation’s first accredited distance learning MBA two years ago. GMC is a great place to learn about being green.
Our faculty members are talented instructors and businesspeople who understand the connections between conscientious environmental stewardship, social justice, and profitability. Our faculty bring real-world business experience from companies like Seventh Generation, Stonyfield Farm, Inc., Ben & Jerry’s, and American Flatbread.
Karen Fleming
Associate Professor of Business, MBA Program Director
In 2004, Karen co-founded Coates Walker, Inc., a manufacturer of custom wood-based products made with sustainable, non-toxic materials, that has since built a reputation for LEED certified/environmentally responsible construction, one of the fastest growing segments of the construction market. As Senior Vice President of Marketing at Seventh Generation, the leading brand of non-toxic and environmentally responsible products for the home and a leader in socially responsible business, she helped double the rate of revenue grown while managing expenses; sales grew from $13 million to $50 million in 4 years. Prior to working at Seventh Generation, Karen also worked as Vice President of Marketing at Stonyfield Farm, Inc., where she oversaw all company planning and management and helped build sales from $44 million to $80 million. She is adjunct marketing and branding instructor and member of board of advisors for the Business Center at the University of Vermont School of Business, and a charter member of the Organic Trade Association Marketing Committee, and has spoken at the Harvard University School of Business, University of Chicago School of Business, Vermont Women's Business Owner Network, Natural Products Expo West, and other venues. She has renovated/built six personal residences in the past 16 years, and is currently in the process of designing a seventh home based on solar power and other green design principles. View full profile
Bill Prado
Assistant Professor of Business and Economics;
Chair, Department of Business & Economics
Dr. Prado has over 15 years of practitioner experience, generally in global business and specifically in cross-border risk management and financing (including asset-based, credit-secured, sales, and export financing). The experience he brings is based on conducting business throughout the world, including in Spanish or French when needed. His background in structured finance, risk management, trade/export financing, tax-based leasing and commercial banking began with five years as an international banker, financing the exports of Fortune 1000 companies. Dr. Prado also worked for manufacturers for more than ten years, first financing the international sales of large communication systems, and later financing aircraft and rail product sales. Soon after being invited to join Green Mountain College's full-time faculty in 2004, Dr. Prado became a key team member in the development and implementation of Green Mountain College's M.B.A. in Sustainable Business. That experience sparked Dr. Prado's current interest in the development of sustainable business practices that result in competitive advantage for businesses -- and in the role of business education in promoting sustainable business success. View full profile
Victor Morrison
President, American Flatbread Company
The American Flatbread Company is a nationally-recognized leader in sustainable business practices. He has served as financial operations manager for IBM in Essex Junction, as the CFO for SkiTuner/Grindrite, and as CFO/VP of Finance and Administration for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The American Flatbread phenomenon began as a small restaurant in Waitsfield, VT, serving homemade pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Today it is a privately-held company with four restaurants and a national sales operation of frozen baked goods. The business started as “an experiment in post-modern bread baking,” using traditional methods and simple wholesome ingredients produced locally.
Debra Heintz
Director of Retail Operations, Ben and Jerry’s
Dr. Debra Heintz has over 20 years of management experience in materials, operations, health management and information systems. As Ben & Jerry’s global director of retail operations, she leads a worldwide organization of over 70 people to support the strategic management of 650 retail stores. Debra is also an adjunct faculty member at Champlain College and the University of Phoenix, with experience in creating new curriculum and course design. Previously she worked in a variety of management roles at Digital Equipment including production planning, purchasing, and materials. She also worked as a manufacturing supervisor at General Electric, starting in the company’s prestigious two-year MMP training program. Debra holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of Connecticut; an M.B.A. from the University of Vermont; a master’s in systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and a Ph.D. in health science from Union University, 2001.