Ela Chapin is a Democratic State Representative for Washington-5 in the Vermont House of Representatives, representing East Montpelier and Middlesex. Elected in 2022 and serving since 2023, she is co-chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus and currently sits on the House Committee on Environment after prior service on the House Committee on Judiciary. Notable achievements include founding the National Farm Viability Conference, co-founding the Agricultural Viability Alliance, directing Vermont's Farm & Forest Viability Program from 2006–2021, and being named a rising star by Vermont Business Magazine in 2014. Born in 1976 in Calais, Vermont, she lives in East Montpelier with her husband and children.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Master's degree in environmental policy and planning from Tufts University; bachelor's degree in environmental science from Brown University; certificate in Nonprofit Management from Marlboro College.
• Professional Background: Over a decade in environmental and outdoor education, including with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School; 15 years in economic and community development focused on working lands, food systems, and agriculture; board service with organizations like Community Capital of Vermont, Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Vermont Farm to Plate, and Vermont Compost Association; current role on Northern Forest Center's workforce housing review committee.
• Political Experience: First elected to Vermont House in 2022 as a Democrat for Washington-5 ; active in legislative committees on judiciary and environment; co-chair, Legislative Women's Caucus.