Monique Priestley

Monique Priestley graduated from Oxbow High School.[1] Priestley earned an associate degree in graphic design and a B.A. in digital media from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon and a master's of communication in digital media from the University of Washington. Her career experience includes working as an executive director for The Space On Main, a nonprofit, and as the director of digital for CampusCE Corporation in Seattle, Washington.[2]

Priestley served as chair of the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation, chair of Vital Communities, co-chair of the Bradford Business Association, and as a board member of the Vermont Council of Rural Development, Community Capital of Vermont, the Cohase Chamber of Commerce, and Little Rivers Health Care. She also served as a statewide member of the Vermont Creative Network Steering Team, Future of Vermont Action Team, and Vermont Futures Project’s Young Professionals Advisory Council.[2]

State Senate

Monique Priestley has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Monique Priestley, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 33,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

Help improve [the profile publisher] - send us candidate contact info.

State House

Monique Priestley did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Monique Priestley did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My core values, service and integrity, drive everything that I do. I am the Executive Director of The Space On Main, which I founded as a nonprofit in 2017 and opened it in 2018 in hopes that it could promote a greater sense of community and connection for people living and working in the Northern Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. I am a business counselor for the Center for Women & Enterprise and Director of Digital for CampusCE Corporation in Seattle, Washington, an EdTech company I have worked for since 2010. I believe strongly that everyone has a responsibility to give back to their communities. I serve as a Justice of the Peace and volunteer on a number of town commissions. I am a director of the boards for Vermont Council on Rural Development, Community Capital of Vermont, Cohase Chamber of Commerce, Cohase Rotary Club, and recently stepped down as chair the boards of Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation and Vital Communities in order to run for office. I serve on the steering committees of the Vermont Creative Network (Vermont Arts Council) and Future of Vermont Action Team, and on the cabinet of EMERGE Vermont. I graduated from University of Washington’s Master of Communication in Digital Media program and hold both a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and an Associate of Science in Graphic Design from Northern Vermont University – Lyndon. I am an alumna of Leadership Upper Valley, Vermont Changemakers’ Table, and Vermont Leadership Institute.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Housing. It is no surprise that this is the greatest concern I have heard from voters. In order for our communities to thrive, we must have a healthy stock of housing for a variety of ages, incomes, and family sizes.Rural Economic & Community Development. We are not Burlington or Montpelier. We need funding, permitting, licensing, technical assistance, and support programs that meet the unique needs of our small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations.Community Health & Wellbeing. We must reach a point where individuals and families can thrive with effective, affordable, and equitable access to child care, education, insurance, and healthcare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

In a broad sense, I am most passionate about community building, public engagement, and economic development. In my run for office, I want people to feel like they have a resource that is serving them, not a personal agenda. I want to live in a state that takes care of its people and makes smart decisions that allow people to thrive in a rural environment. I have so much hope for the future and want to be a part of building a stronger, more inclusive network that is able to do effective work that serves our people from Main Street to the ends of our dirt roads.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, absolutely. Some of the most important decisions and elections happen at a local level. The wellbeing of our towns depend largely on volunteer commission and board members. Being involved with local town, school, and nonprofit organizations is the easiest and quickest way to learn what services exist as well as what gaps need to be filled in order for communities to thrive. Over the past 13 years, involvement in local, regional, and statewide commissions and boards has taught me the strengths we can celebrate, the challenges we face, as well as helped me to build a far-reaching network of people who make things happen.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is critical. Very few things that result in impact occur without activating a network. Perhaps the greatest strength that I bring to running for office is my ability to network and collaborate with others. Through community involvement, I have built a network that reaches all corners of Vermont at a variety of levels from grassroots volunteers who are getting started to lifetime leaders who have driven major statewide efforts. I am not nervous about working at the State House because I already have a network of friends and colleagues that have been serving and are currently running.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As a public citizen I have often attended the Rural Development Working Group (REDWnG). I am interested in joining that caucus as well as the House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I am taking every door knocking conversation with me to the State House. There have been many moments with people of all ages who are extremely excited that I am running - I quickly realized that my campaign isn't really about me; I represent a deeply engaged young person who wants to do something hopeful to make a difference. It is bigger than me in so many ways and that keeps me going. I want to honor people's hope in a better life.