Michael Metz

Michael M. Metz is a retired business professional and entrepreneur with a strong background in business development, marketing, and international business specializing in precious and rare earth metals for high-tech applications, particularly in emerging electronic and photovoltaic technologies. He held leadership positions in notable companies such as Metz Metallurgical Corp, Michael Metz and Associates, Degussa Corp/AG, and worked with Ames Goldsmith Corp., NanoDynamics Inc., Cermet Materials, PGP/Heraeus, MRA Labs, and Johanson Dielectrics, among others. Aside from his professional achievements, Michael actively participated in various boards and committees, including those of Champlain College, Vermont Academy of Science and Engineering, Echo Leahy Science Center, and Generator Makerspace. He also played essential roles in philanthropic endeavors as Co-President of The Metz Family Foundation and Founding Board Chair of Burlington City Arts Foundation. Michael obtained an MBA from Columbia University and a BA in Chemistry from Middlebury College. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the advancement of photovoltaic electronic materials, Michael was elected as a member of the Vermont Academy of Sciences and Engineering in October 2020. Outside work, he enjoys fine art photography, traveling, cross-country skiing, and water sports. Michael has been happily married for 43 years and has two sons.

Janice St. Onge

Janice St. Onge is the President of the Flexible Capital Fund, L3C ("Flex Fund"), an impact investment fund and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The Flex Fund, recognized as one of the 25 Transformative Funds of 2021, provides flexible risk capital to Vermont's food system, forest products, and climate solutions businesses. Janice manages all aspects of the fund, including capital raising, deal flow, due diligence, and financial management. She previously was the Director of the Center for Innovation & Leadership at the University of Vermont and the Technology Business Development Director for Vermont's Department of Economic Development. Janice received the 2001 National Tibbetts Award for her outreach work with Vermont's Small Business Innovation Research program. She has extensive experience in commercial loan management and oversaw a $21 million portfolio while serving as an Assistant Vice President at Peoples Bank. She co-founded the Vermont and Northern New England Women’s Investors Network and serves on the Vermont Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and Burlington Telecom Innovation Fund Advisory Committee. Janice is a founding member of Slow Money Vermont's Organizing Committee and a co-founder of the Stowe Energy and Climate Action Network. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. in Marketing and is an alum of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute. In her free time, Janice enjoys winter sports and has experience as a former International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup Freestyle Skiing Judge.

Geoff Strawbridge

Geoff is the founder and CEO of BootstrapVT, a marketing collective providing handcrafted marketing for growth-focused companies. Geoff has spent the last 20 years leading marketing, product management and operations for entrepreneurial companies and venture-backed startups. Geoff has extensive marketing and customer acquisition experience with CPG, Health, Wellness, Fitness, and Travel brands. He brings hands-on knowledge of advertising platforms, digital marketing tools, subscription businesses, mobile app development, content management, and even his own ad server.

As a founder and startup veteran, he understands the unique journey every entrepreneur must take to grow their business.  Geoff has managed cross-functional teams his entire career including: product, engineering/tech, marketing, editorial, customer support, ad ops, business development, and sales. Past companies include: Everyday Health, EatingWell, MyWebGrocer, VoodooVox, Lycos, Tripod, and NetMarket.