• Staff

Richard Levitt

Degrees

• JD, Vermont Law School, 1999
• Master in the Study of Environmental Law, Vermont Law School, 2000
• BS, Public Affairs, Indiana University, 1996

---

Biography

Rich joined Vermont Law and Graduate School in November 2023 as director of foundation and corporate partnerships. With over 20 years of fundraising expertise in the educational sector, he brings an immense amount of experience, including a lengthy stint at Brandeis University. He previously served as the environmental issues manager for Senator John Kerry, which offered vast exposure to energy, agriculture, conservation, and other environmental matters. His tenure at The Wilderness Society found him protecting roadless areas alongside the U.S. Forest Service and in coordination with community activists.

Rich is a tested fundraiser, having worked in major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, communications, and grant-seeking. As director, Rich is tasked with developing VLGS’s grant capacities by cultivating relationships with foundations and industry, as well as securing major government awards. He maintains deep ties with VLGS faculty and academic centers and provides strategic direction to leadership on programmatic development and philanthropic opportunities.

Rich returned to South Royalton almost 25 years after earning a JD in 1999 and a Master in the Study of Environmental Law (now, the Master of Climate and Environmental Policy) in 2000. As a law student, Rich participated in an externship at the U.S. Department of Justice and was awarded a fellowship to spend a summer at American Wildlands in Bozeman, Montana. In addition to his degrees from VLGS, Rich graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington, earning a B.S. in public affairs, concentrating on environmental studies, and minoring in political science.

Rich is a devoted runner, hiker, and snowshoer. He is also a cellist, and he recently started learning Modern Hebrew.

Departments

• Office for Alumni Relations and Development