Speaker's Profile

Erica Metzger Hare is the Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Living & Learning, a $100 million, multi-state nonprofit supporting neurodiverse children and adults in discovering their passions, unlocking their potential, and thriving in their communities.For more than 40 years, Aspire has partnered with individuals and families to build lives rooted in independence, connection, and choice. Under Erica’s leadership, that commitment continues to grow, expanding access to person-centered services across human services, behavioral health, and education.Erica brings a combination of strategic insight and operational depth, shaped by leadership experience across healthcare, human services, and higher education. She began her career at Accenture in her native New York City, advising organizations navigating complex regulatory environments, and went on to hold leadership roles at leading academic medical centers including Columbia University Medical Center, NYU Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.After relocating to Vermont, Erica spent a decade as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she led financial and operational growth. She joined Aspire in 2019 as Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, helping strengthen before stepping into the CEO role.Erica’s leadership extends beyond Aspire. She serves as Board Chair of UVM Health- Central Vermont Medical Center, and co-founded ElevateHer VT to support women’s leadership and advancement.She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. Outside of work, Erica enjoys singing, gardening, practicing yoga and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.