By Kolby R. LaMarche
UPDATED
Three senior aides to Burlington’s Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak have announced their resignations, confirmed in a letter to city workers yesterday afternoon by the mayor.
The departures, set to take effect by the end of next week, include Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Magee, Special Assistant for Ending Homelessness Sarah Russell, and Senior Adviser on Community Safety Ingrid Jonas.
The staff will leave in the order below:
Ingrid Jonas, a retired Vermont State Police commander with over 30 years in law enforcement, was a high-profile hire aimed at bridging policing and social services. She aided in launching the “Situation Table” initiative, a multi-agency panel that fast-tracks at-risk individuals—often those cycling through minor offenses tied to addiction—toward treatment rather than jail. (Oct. 10)
Joe Magee, a former Ward 3 Progressive city councilor and vocal advocate for low-income residents, joined Mulvaney-Stanak’s team after her 2024 election victory. Promoted from communications director last year, he coordinated daily operations, outreach efforts, and, at times, media responses. His last day is October 15, and he told Seven Days he has no immediate job plans lined up. Magee previously worked on Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. (Oct. 15)
Sarah Russell, who began working under former Mayor Miro Weinberger, has been a leading figure in addressing Burlington’s escalating homelessness crisis. She helped manage the city’s winter warming shelters last season and coordinated emergency shuttles to a New North End facility during brutal cold snaps. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak commended Russell for her work “leading our homeless response efforts in an unprecedented time of homelessness.” (Oct. 17)
In her email to staff, Mulvaney-Stanak praised the trio for tackling “nearly impossible work” on the city’s intertwined challenges. “Their dedication to Burlington, their passion, and their contributions will be deeply missed,” she wrote. “Wherever they land, they’ll continue making a positive impact.”
Magee described the exits to Seven Days as “largely coincidental,” occurring halfway through the mayor’s three-year term, with no single trigger or reason provided. The city, according to the mayor, has already recruited a replacement for his role.
UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak announced the departure dates of three staff members. However, the mayor still did not expand on any reasons for the quite quick departures.
The mayor also announced the appointment of South End resident Jen Monroe Zakaras to replace Magee as deputy chief of staff.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Columbia University, focusing on social determinants of health. Zakaras has managed multi-million-dollar grants from the National Institutes of Health and coordinated research teams.
As part of a university center’s leadership team, she worked on health issues related to climate change. Her research also includes studies in Kenya on men’s contraceptive acceptance and family planning perceptions in the context of changing gender relations.
In 2024, she served as campaign manager for Missa Aliso’s run for State Representative in Chittenden-17.
Zakaras ran for Burlington City Council in 2025 but lost, despite raising over $13,000 and having the mayor’s endorsement. A mother of two, she will now work with Erin Jacobsen, who remains the mayor’s chief of staff and has not been mentioned in any release.
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