'Pay it forward': Luncheon honors Bennington County women leaders

Originally published on the Bennington Banner May 17 2023

Written by Susan Allen

Women can do it all. We might feel like imposters much of time, winging our decisions. We sometimes get overwhelmed trying to balance work and home. But we have mentors who have helped us overcome the challenges, and nobody works harder than we do.

That was the message Wednesday from some of Southern Vermont’s women leaders, speaking to about 130 mostly women from throughout the county at the Inn at Manchester’s Celebration Barn.

The event was the second annual Women in Leadership Luncheon, hosted by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Berkshire Bank.

Keynote speaker Ashley Austin, the new co-owner of the Northshire Bookstore and CEO of her own company, ALG, outlined her rise through the professional ranks in the music industry.

Her client roster includes Daryl Hall & John Oates, Iggy Pop, Bootsy Collins, The Blues Brothers and the estates of Sam Cooke, John Belushi and Dean Martin; and she has worked with The Doors and other legends.

“I have experienced misogyny,” Austin said, describing her early work experience in which she tried to be the best, but was passed over for a key promotion by a less-qualified man.

The music industry “was a boys’ club,” she said. “But being in a leadership role now does not mean all of that disappears,” Austin added…