Biography
Bankowski was born in Boston, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Boston College. She continued her education by taking courses at Boston College Law School. For ten years she served as a legislative aide to Congressman Father Drinan in Washington, D.C. She managed Madeleine Kunin's successful campaign for Governor in 1984 and became the Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs for the State. She also served as Governor Kunin's Chief of Staff, the top aide to the Governor from 1985-1989. Bankowski left her position in 1989 to spend more time with her family, but continued to work for the Governor part-time. She was a member of the transition team for President-elect Bill Clinton in 1992, where she was an advisor on economic issues, particularly audits of federal agencies.
She served as Senior Director of Social Mission Development for Ben and Jerry's from 1991 to 2001 and was a member of the company's Board of Directors until 1999. Bankowski was involved with the start-up of the organization Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and served on the board of the Social Venture Network, a national organization of entrepreneurs and philanthropists. She serves on the Green Mountain Power Board of Directors, has been a trustee of Bennington College and the Windham Foundation and is a board member of the Trust Company of Vermont.
Bankowski served as Co-chair of Gaye Symington's 2008 run for Governor. She was active in the administration of Peter Shumlin. She is currently the president and CEO of the Windham Foundation.Education
Boston College
Boston College Law SchoolOccupation
Madeleine Kunin's campaign manager (1984)
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Governor's Chief of Staff
Executive