Staff

Molly Lambert

lambert@vcia.com
Molly Lambert joined the VCIA in July 2002 as its President and Chief Operating Officer. In this capacity she is responsible for leading the association and serving as the industry’s chief spokesperson.

Prior to joining VCIA, Molly served as Secretary of Commerce and Community Development for the State of Vermont. As Secretary, she served as chief advisor to the Governor on public policy, projects and programs related to economic development, housing, and tourism. She was also the key liaison with the Vermont State Legislature and Congressional Delegation to ensure support of the agency’s public policy initiatives.  Prior to this appointment, Molly served for seven years as Executive Director of the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, Vermont.

Molly holds a BA in Social Work from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Administration from St. Michael’s College. 

Diane Leach

leach@vcia.com
Diane Leach joined the Vermont Captive Insurance Association in 1987 and is the Director of  Education and Program Planning.  She started her captive insurance career in 1984, working for American Risk Management, Corp. in the accounting and administration areas.  Her involvement with the Association began during its early stages and has continued through its current maturity.  She is a past Board member of the Vermont Society of Association Executives and a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Barbara Casanova LaRock

larock@vcia.com
Barbara Casanova LaRock joined the VCIA in 2000 and is our Director of Membership and Development.  Barbara has extensive administrative and development experience with non-profits, both charitable and political in nature.  Barbara has a diverse professional background that encompasses both legislative and association experience; including national conference coordination, fund-raising, membership development, database management, network administration and web-site development.  

Before joining VCIA, Barbara was a Legislative Aide with the Builders Association of South Florida.  She also served on the Board of the Cuban Nation Heritage Foundation and as a volunteer for the Hialeah Foundation.  Barbara has also served on the Board of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, an auxiliary of the Republican National Committee.  Her past work experience includes interning for US Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Administrative Assistant in the office of the former Mayor of San Diego, Susan Golding.

Barbara holds a B.A. in Political Science ('94) from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Elizabeth Halpern

halpern@vcia.com
Elizabeth Halpern joined VCIA in 1999 and is our Director of Communications.  She is responsible for the development and design of all the Association's marketing and educational materials. In addition, she manages the VCIA website and electronic promotion. Elizabeth directs the association's advertising and press activities, and is the staff liaison to the Communications Committee. 

Elizabeth has worked in marketing and design for 14 years, working previously in design firms, as a self-employed graphic designer, and in marketing management positions.

Elizabeth holds a B.S. degree from the University of Vermont and completed a year of coursework at the University of Nice, France. 

Peggy Claflin

claflin@vcia.com
Peggy Claflin joined the VCIA in February 2006 and is our staff accountant. In  this capacity, she is responsible for all the financial proceedings of the association. She is also the staff liaison for the Finance Committee.

Peggy is a recent graduate of Champlain College where she graduated summa cum laude and has received several awards recognizing her outstanding achievements as a non-traditional student. She was an accounting tutor at Champlain College as well, a role reserved for top students. 

While earning her accounting degree at Champlain, Peggy worked as a paralegal for attorney Sarah Gentry Tischler, P.C. 

Peggy lived for many years in Florida where she worked for Merrill Lynch. She moved to Vermont in 1998, and became the co-owner of Jerihill Hardware Store in Jericho.

Sharon Lones

lones@vcia.com
Sharon Lones joined VCIA in January 2005.  Sharon brings a wealth and variety of knowledge to the Association in both administrative and technical skill.