Based about 15 miles outside Burlington, Vermont, in the West Bolton area, Cara Mezitt lives in a tight-knit, outdoors-loving community that’s “ridiculously on brand” for Vermont. Surrounded by the Green Mountains, with the Long Trail crossing her road just a mile from home, Cara’s world is shaped by skiing, snowboarding, mountain and gravel biking, hiking, and a deep appreciation for nature and community. It’s the same spirit behind iconic Vermont brands like Darn Tough, Skida, Burton, Cabot Cheese, Lawson’s Finest Liquid and Pit Viper.
At MCI USA, Cara supports a team of four marketers serving Full-Service Management (FSM) clients and leads marketing efforts for the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM). Her work spans education and certification, membership and events, requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, and bringing structure, creativity and momentum to a wide range of marketing initiatives.

  1. How did you get started in your profession?
    My first few early-career jobs were with a boutique marketing agency and several print companies. From there, I landed at Burton Snowboards and over a tenure of almost seven years, was given the space to grow, create and help build their internal creative agency from nine employees to 40-plus across print, web, design, production and project/account management by the time I left in 2010.
  2. What do you think people misunderstand most about marketing?
    Marketing is both art and science. Yes, the output needs to attract an audience through its look and sound (art), but there is so much that goes into laying the foundation (science) on which the final output is built. There is the research, testing, audience journeys and CRM—so many tools and outputs that go into building a well-oiled, successful machine.
  3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

    Gosh, there are so many pieces of advice. A few of my top favorites are:

    • No one is coming to save you.
    • Find a way to get it done.
    • Your attitude determines your aptitude.
    • A positive attitude is contagious, but so is a negative attitude. Choose positivity; always find that silver lining.
  4. What’s a hobby or interest that brings you joy outside of work?
    I’m always up for an adventure, whether it’s traveling with my family or heading out on weekend getaways with my girl-squad to just have fun and reset. I love throwing parties and cooking for a crowd (the more, the merrier!). And when I’m not doing that, you’ll probably find me helping out at TalentSkatepark.org, our local indoor skatepark, which is a total blast and means a lot to me.
  5. What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?
    In 2022–2023, I faced a significant health journey after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Through countless tests, treatments, surgeries and the long road to recovery, I was fortunate to have so much support from my family, friends, colleagues and community. Breast cancer affects one in eight women, and I feel incredibly lucky that mine was caught early and is now behind me. Navigating a serious health challenge was no doubt difficult, but the silver linings I’ve discovered on the other side are immeasurable. My husband and two teenage sons had their world shaken as well, and the perspective they gained through this experience will have a lasting, positive impact on their lives.