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Melanie Gidney was appointed to the role of Executive Director, following the retirement of Linda Chambers, who had served in the role since 1994. Ms. Gidney had been working on an interim basis in this role for the past year and a half as support to Ms. Chambers while she was on extended leave. Ms. Gidney has been a dedicated and highly respected staff member and leader at the agency for over 28 years, with an impressive mix of clinical and administrative experience that has positioned her well for this role.

After receiving her degree from the University of Vermont, Melanie Gidney joined the Clara Martin Center in 1992 as a case manager in the Community Support Program (working with adults who have a major mental illness). She then assumed her first leadership position within the agency as the Assistant Coordinator of Case Management Services in 1994. In 1995, she was designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health as a Qualified Mental Health Professional, which she maintains to this day. Also in 1995, she became the Intake/Emergency Site Coordinator for the Randolph area. In 1997, she shifted from a clinical position to an administrative position within the agency and brought her many skills to the human resource department as the Human Resource Manager. In 2001, she moved into the role of Director of Operations, overseeing many facets of the organization. After having a family, she assumed the role of Director of Quality Assurance and Systems Improvement. She worked closely with the Executive Director for many years and was promoted in February 2020 to become the new Executive Director of the Clara Martin Center. She has been recognized as a dedicated and highly respected staff member and leader at the agency for over several decades. She has demonstrated an enduring commitment to the Clara Martin Center staff, clients and to the many communities served. She is a lifelong Vermonter, who has strong family roots in the Orange County area. Her passion for people, her empathy, and her ability to connect with others make her a strong leader for the Clara Martin Center’s entire organization.