Esther Charlestin
Esther Charlestin is an American educator and businesswoman, serving as the chair of the Vermont Commission on Women. A first-generation Haitian American, Charlestin was the Democratic nominee in the 2024 Vermont gubernatorial election, becoming the second black woman to earn a nomination for governor in the U.S by a major political party.
She was supported in her gubernatorial bid by Vermont political figures including Howard Dean, Becca Balint, David Zuckerman, and Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, before losing to incumbent Phil Scott in the largest Republican landslide in the state since 1946.
Prior to running for Governor of Vermont, Charlestin was elected to the Middlebury Select Board in 2021 and 2022. Earlier, in 2019, she worked as a residence director at Middlebury College, and during the 2022–2023 school year, she served as Dean of Culture and Climate at Middlebury Union Middle School. She ultimately resigned from the latter position, citing experiences of racism.
In 2023, Charlestin founded Conversation Compass, a consultancy that helps individuals and organizations navigate conversations around culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion.