One Page Bio | Video Introduction
Who is Prudence?
Prudence Pease of Tunbridge, Vermont, created a career dedicated to advancing the lives of others in her community and the state of Vermont. Fifteen years ago Prudence began this journey serving as a community leadership facilitator and later as a community coordinator. She went on to work as a peer navigator with the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Along the way Prudence became involved in politics. She ran for and was elected as the senior assistant judge of Orange County, Vermont. In this role she managed the county’s judicial system and presided over small claims, family, and traffic court. Prudence is a certified Bridges Out of Poverty facilitator and has trained more than 5,000 individuals in Bridges work, including human service providers, HR professionals, and employers. Her personal story of growth and change as she traveled the road from welfare mom to judicial officer is extremely compelling and demonstrates beautifully the messages of Bridges Out of Poverty. Prudence is a graduate of the Vermont Leadership Institute. She is a highly sought-after speaker and currently contracts with United Way of Chittenden County and aha! Process.
Prudence’s credentials
Education
- B.A. in Professional Studies, Johnson State College, 2014
- Associate’s Degree in Accounting, Community College of Vermont
- Vermont Leadership Institute, Snelling Center for Government
- Certified Family Support Facilitator, University of Vermont Affiliated Programs
Work history
- Family Support Specialist/Parent Educator, Rutland County Parent Child Center
- Certified Facilitator/Trainer, United Way Chittenden County, Vermont
- Assistant Judge, Orange County Superior Court, Vermont
- Certified Facilitator/Trainer, Vermont Agency of Human Services
- Peer Navigator/Resource Coordinator, Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
- Community Coordinator, Community Partnership of Orange/Windsor
Prudence’s aha! moment
I attended my first Bridges presentation in 2005 while serving as a judicial officer. I came away speechless from the number of aha! moments I had experienced. In the months that followed, I saw Bridges concepts in my courtroom, in my community, and in my family. I began training Bridges for the Vermont Agency of Human Services in 2007. I trained across the state, zigzagging between regional offices. I officially joined the aha! Process team in June 2011. Today I see the world through a Bridges “lens,” and the aha! moments just keep coming.
Prudence’s passions
Creating future stories! Over the years as a young mom on welfare, I struggled with creating my future story. Today one of my greatest joys is creating future stories through the use of bridging capital. I spend part of each week teaching in an alternative classroom for pregnant and parenting teens ages 14–21. To be a part of these young people’s future is an extraordinary journey—watching them grow as parents and individuals, encouraging them to build connections in their community, witnessing their success. I believe with my whole heart that each of us has the capacity to become bridging capital!
Prudence’s best training
Economic diversity is not an easy conversation. When I can inspire discussion that challenges our own individual mental models, that is the point where learning begins. Bridges Out of Poverty is the first step in moving from tolerance to acceptance. When you understand why people do what they do, why they make the decisions that they make, when you reach that place of acceptance, you can build a relationship. Relationships have the power to change and design a new world. An inclusive world …
What does Prudence do for fun?
Critters, critters, and more critters! My life is filled with all types of critters, both inside and outside the house. I live on a working dairy farm, but aside from the the cows I have horses, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, and pigeons that live outside. Inside we have an assortment of dogs, cats, lizards, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs. If you can name it, I probably have it. Where did all the critters come from? Most are rescues—animals that have been neglected and abused and have come to my home to have a second chance at life.
What are people saying about Prudence?
“Excellent presentation! Now I understand the impact of a lack of resources and the importance of relationships to people in generational poverty.”
“I loved this presentation! I will use this in every interaction with everyone I deal with professionally and personally.”