“BuildingGreen is the kind of place I envisioned myself working at. We work really hard because we are really passionate about what we do.”

Each weekday morning, Kelsey Eaton ’12 walks to work at BuildingGreen, an established publishing company in downtown Brattleboro, Vt. She is part of a 14-person team that links architects and construction professionals with the knowledge to build in an environmentally responsible way.  Kelsey describes the company as the most respected source for guidance on environmental design and build in the country.
 
“It’s the kind of place I envisioned myself working at,” Kelsey said. “We work really hard because we are really passionate about what we do. And there’s a real culture of respect. If you need to take time, you take time.”
 
Kelsey is a marketing associate responsible for building the company’s growing customer base that already includes 20,000 email subscribers. She uses analytics to develop email campaigns and works on company branding projects like revising the BuildingGreen website.
 
A communications major at GMC, Kelsey got her first job at Vermont Wood Studios in Vernon, Vt., thanks in part from a recommendation from GMC professor Jason Schmitt. She was the social media manager at the company, which specializes in sale of high-end, Vermont-crafted wood furniture made from local wood products. Kelsey did everything from designing brochures to maintaining the company website. Her experience at GMC helped her there.

“I learned a lot from Paul Dahm, who taught design classes. I’ve been able to use a lot of skills I picked up at GMC,” she said.

She also worked as a designer for the College’s newspaper The Mountaineer.
 
Now, at BuildingGreen she is on the ground floor of a fast-growing company that reflects her own values of sustainability.  
 
“I came in at a time when they were doing major work on strategic planning—including redesigning the website and brand identity. I am the only marketing person on staff, working with the lead editor. It’s a pretty exciting to be this involved in
a growing company.”

For his Delicate Balance project, Cleo created a system that allows students to pre-pay for a meal and fill a reusable container and eat outside of the dining hall. “It’s a great opportunity for students to not miss meals because of academic or athletic obligations.”

A native of Harare, Zimbabwe, Cleo’s journey to Green Mountain College was a family affair.

“I was born and raised Methodist,” he said, “and my aunt recommended GMC. She is a pastor in Maine in a Methodist church, and two of my cousins came to GMC.”

Working in business has always interested Cleo. “I took a class with Jason Schmitt (professor of communications) and it really interested me,” he said, “so I declared the communications major as well.” He ended up double-majoring in sustainable business and communication studies.

As a student ambassador for admissions, Cleo was often the first person prospective students met when they came to campus and he served as director of recruiting and hiring for student ambassadors. He also worked as a development assistant in the office of Development & Alumni Relations. Somehow, Cleo found the time to play on the men’s varsity soccer team for four years and serve as the Student Senate director of fundraising.

One of his legacy accomplishments at GMC is his Delicate Balance project related to food waste on campus. Cleo worked closely with food-service directors Dave and Cindy Ondria to implement the system that allows students to pre-pay for a meal and fill a reusable container and eat outside of the dining hall. “It’s a great opportunity for students to not miss meals because of academic or athletic obligations,” he said. After graduation in 2014, Cleo began work as an accounting and reporting specialist at the Bank of New York Mellon in Boston.