Fall 2024 Speaker Series: Connected Communities
Making Connections: Mobility for All with Kelly Stoddard-Poor and Jon Kaplan

AARP VT’s Kelly Stoddard-Poor and Jon Kaplan will give a transportation seminar for people interested in learning what can be done to improve local transportation options for those who can no longer drive, or who do not wish to drive. Participants will learn key concepts of healthy community design, share their own experiences, get tips on going car-light or car-free, and dig into ideas for advocacy and action in their own community.

This event will be held in-person in the Yestermorrow main studio, as well as virtually via Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86165759687
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kelly Stoddard Poor, Associate State Director, AARP VT

Kelly joined the AARP Vermont team in 2013 as the Associate State Director. Kelly’s
background is in public policy and community organizing with a strong commitment to social
justice. She leads the livable community work for AARP VT - establishing a vision and action
steps for Vermont communities to meet the needs of its aging population. Prior to AARP Kelly
spent eight years at the American Cancer Society where she was the Director of Health and
Advocacy Initiatives. She managed the state’s cancer control program and advocacy campaigns
to reduce tobacco use, increase screening rates and enhance access to health care. She
earned her undergraduate degree in anthropology at the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst, and completed a master’s degree in sustainable development at the School for
International Training in VT. She lives in Montpelier with her family.

Jon Kaplan, AARP Volunteer & former VTrans Ped/Bike Manager

Jon is a retired civil engineer who worked for 30 years in the field of bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Most of his career was with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, including 13 years as the state Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. He worked on developing standards for road design to encourage active transportation (walking and bicycling) and provided technical assistance to dozens of Vermont communities. Jon retired in April 2023 and is now working to make his home town of Randolph more safe and attractive for people to walk and ride bikes. He is also spending time on creative writing, playing disc golf, chess, bowling, bicycling, hiking and travel.