Our Team

Heather Shouldice is the President of William Shouldice & Associates LLC. An experienced government relations expert, Heather is widely known and respected for her keen insights and knowledge of the complex Vermont legislative and regulatory processes. As President, she is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing customized legislative and regulatory strategies for the firm’s state, national and international clients. Heather also oversees issues research, coordinates and leads briefings with key decision-makers, drafts testimony, and directs communications with clients to ensure they receive up-to-the-minute reporting on legislative and regulatory developments.

Before joining the firm, Heather owned and operated a successful retail business for over 20 years. She is a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives where she served on the powerful Ways & Means Committee.

Heather is a strong proponent of giving back to her community. Since 2001, she has served as a Corporator for the Northfield Savings Bank, an independent community bank and on the NSB Foundation Board. She is the Chair of the Capital Complex Commission, a position she’s held since 2005, and she serves on the Board of The Advocacy Group (TAG) and the Hillsboro Inlet Condo Association. Heather is also a member of the Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association, and past-President of the Montpelier Rotary Club, an organization she belonged to for over 20 years. She is a former Director for Neshobe Golf Club and Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Heather studied business management at Paul Smith’s College.

Emma C. Shouldice joined the family firm in 2020. A graduate of Providence College, Emma received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Science with a Certificate in Business Studies.

Prior to graduation, Emma was a Senior Intern for Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline, communicating directly with constituents, provided training to new interns on office protocols, wrote constituent communications, and handled information and database management. Emma also interned for William Shouldice & Associates LLC, monitoring House and Senate committees and bills, analyzed effects of potential amendments in the Vermont Legislature, and assessed the political landscape to proactively move client priorities.

Emma worked for The Advocacy Solutions LLC in Providence, Rhode Island while pursuing her college degree. At Advocacy Solutions, Emma analyzed fiscal year budgets and committee hearings to identify potential impact to clients’ interests and presented findings to the Senior Lobbyist, tracked bills through all stages in the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as managing bill calendars and committee hearings to ensure clients could attend essential meetings at the State House.

Emma’s family comes from a long line of government relations enthusiasts. Her Aunt, Heather Shouldice, served in the Vermont House of Representatives. Her father, Bill Shouldice IV, was Secretary of Commerce under Governor Howard Dean, and her grandfather, Bill Shouldice III, is the Founder & Advisor of the Shouldice Firm. Emma’s Great, Great Grandfather, William Burke, was a State Senator from Rutland County.

Emma lives in South Burlington and spends time with family on Cape Cod and Lake Dunmore in the summer.

Cheri is the technology and program manager at William Shouldice & Associates LLC. Responsible for the legislative bill tracking and “up-to-the-minute” reporting on legislative and regulatory activity, Cheri works directly with the firm’s clients to ensure they know what is happening in Montpelier, the moment it happens. Cheri is also responsible for handling day-to-day management of the firm.

Cheri brings considerable experience managing and overseeing multiple projects at various stages of development. Prior to joining the firm, Cheri worked for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms as a Project Manager providing IT consulting, troubleshooting, and server management. She was also responsible for complete telephone infrastructure and equipment management. In these roles, Cheri managed projects companywide across the United States and oversaw more than a dozen people on her team.