Local Motion is excited to announce the selection of Karen Yacos as its new Executive Director. Yacos comes to Local Motion from Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit, where she worked with stakeholders across the country to create resilient water management strategies. She previously served as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Keurig Green Mountain, and worked at ICLEI, the Seaside Institute, and the Orton Family Foundation, always focused on creating livable communities and healthy ecosystems.

"I am delighted that Karen has agreed to lead our organization," Eric Hart, President of Local Motion's Board of Directors. "She has the skills and passion to make Vermont better through biking and walking, has extensive leadership experience, and understands how healthy communities grow and thrive."

A long-time Vermonter, Karen received her MS in Natural Resource Planning and her BS in Zoology from the University of Vermont. "I'm thrilled to join Local Motion and to lead the organization's efforts to make walking and biking safe, accessible, and an enjoyable option throughout Vermont, at a time when people's interest is growing here and nationally," said Yacos.

"Karen is the kind of strong and effective leader that Local Motion needs," said Jason Van Driesche, the organization's Interim Executive Director and Deputy Director. "I look forward to working with her."

Founded in 1999, to reconnect the Island Line Rail Trail from Burlington to the Lake Champlain Islands, Local Motion helps communities across Vermont become great places to walk and bike. With a year-round staff of twelve, dozens of seasonal employees, over 200 volunteers, and more than 1,500 members, Local Motion brings together businesses, municipalities and individuals to ensure that every Vermonter can say "yes" to biking and walking.