About Your Hosts
Monique Priestley, Vermont State Representative
Monique Priestley (she/her) is serving her second term as a Vermont State Representative (Orange-2), where she champions consumer protection—especially in data privacy, artificial intelligence, and right-to-repair—as well as the future of work. She serves as Clerk of the House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development and Vice Chair of the Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee. Nationally, she was appointed to the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity & Privacy and serves on the NCSL Committees on Technology & Communications and Labor & Economic Development. Monique is Co-Chair of Vermont’s Rural Caucus, which received a 2023 Legislative Service Award from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Future Caucus National Task Force on AI Policy and on the Steering Team of the Multi-State Legislative AI Working Group. Monique was named a 2024 EPIC National Champion of Freedom and a CSG Top 20 Under 40. She is an alum of the 2023 NCSL Emerging Leaders Program, the 2024 Future Caucus Policy Innovation Lab Fellowship, the 2024 CSG Eastern Leadership Academy, and the 2025 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship.
Zach Tomanelli, VPIRG Communications & Engagement Director
Before joining VPIRG, Zach was an Online Organizer and Community Director at the progressive news and activism website Firedoglake where he worked on everything from environmental protection to drug policy reform. He’s also spent time at the American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Now!, Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) and National Public Radio. Zach is a 2011 graduate of Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In his role at VPIRG, Zach manages all of VPIRG’s advocacy and outreach communications including emails, web posts, social media, mailings and publications. He’s also leads VPIRG advocacy efforts on digital consumer protection issues – fighting for data privacy/security, net neutrality and affordable high-speed internet access for all Vermonters. Zach also oversees VPIRG’s data, information and internal technology operations.
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