Thetford woman is volunteer of the year

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports has named East Thetford resident Katie Ahern as one of its Volunteers of the Year, recognizing her wide-ranging commitment to the organization’s adaptive sports programs. Ahern has volunteered with Vermont Adaptive since 2021 and brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her role.

In addition to volunteering, Ahern is a special educator and school administrator, and she is also the parent of a Vermont Adaptive program participant. Her involvement spans programs and events across the state, from ski days at Pico Mountain to paddling outings, bike rides, outreach events, and vacation-week lessons.

Ahern is especially active with Vermont Adaptive’s school group programs and the Special Olympics Vermont team, often coaching and teaching students of all abilities. She is also well known among fellow volunteers and staff for her enthusiasm — and for bringing homemade treats, particularly her popular espresso cookies.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced keynote speakers and program highlights for the 2026 Vermont Economic Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at Hotel Champlain in Burlington. The annual conference is considered one of the state’s most significant business and policy gatherings.

The program will feature a keynote conversation between Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Jack Crivici-Kramer, co-host of the nationally recognized business podcast The Best One Yet. The agenda will also include state and national economic outlooks, along with data-driven discussions focused on Vermont’s economic future.

Each year, the Vermont Economic Conference brings together business leaders, policymakers, and economic experts from across the state. Organizers say the 2026 event will continue that tradition, offering insights into the trends and forces shaping Vermont’s economy.

AI non-bank lender expands into Vermont

Kiavi, a tech-enabled non-bank lending platform for residential real estate investors, has announced its expansion into four additional states: Mississippi, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont. With the move, Kiavi now operates in 49 states and Washington, D.C., marking a major milestone for the company.

The expansion comes during a period of record growth. Year to date, Kiavi has originated $7.3 billion in loan volume, a 20% increase over the same period last year, despite a decline in existing home sales. In 2025, the company also closed $1 billion in rated securitizations, expanded into 17 new states, and became the first non-bank lender to fund more than 100,000 loans to real estate investors.

Kiavi CEO Arvind Mohan said the company’s growth reflects its mission to provide fast, reliable capital to investors nationwide through its data- and AI-powered platform. He said the expansion will help investors scale their businesses and contribute to addressing the national housing shortage by creating move-in-ready homes.