The Class of 2012
Janet Ackerman VP, Community Development Director of People's United Bank
Janet Ackerman is the Community Development Director for People's United Bank - New Hampshire and serves as liaison for the People's United Community Foundation. She started her banking career in Connecticut focused on Commercial Lending and has spent the last 21 years in the New Hampshire banking arena. Janet currently serves on the board of the NH Community Development Finance Authority, the Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Energy Board, the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, The Corporate Fund as well as the Investment Committee for the Monadnock Community Hospital and the Legislative Committee for the NH Bankers Association. She also serves on the Monadnock United Way Allocations Team.
Janet has a BA in Psychology from Allegheny College and a MBA from RPI.
She lives in Francestown with her son, Ryan, the best kid on the planet.
Elise Annunziata Planner II of City of Manchester
Elise Annunziata currently works as a Planner for the City of Manchester’s Planning and Community Development Department, Community Improvement Program. She has been active in local government, environmental protection, politics, education, consulting and fundraising. In the mid-to-late 1990s, she served in Senegal, West Africa with the United States Peace Corps, and later traveled to The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Madagascar and back to Senegal through independent consultant and training contracts with the Peace Corps, NASA/NOAA/NSF-Partnership Global Learning to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program and Women’s Global Education Project. Elise’s past work also includes over a decade of non-profit issue advocacy, get out the vote campaigns, development, strategic planning, and management of public/voter education projects for Sierra Club and Clean Water Action, among other organizations. Prior to that, she worked for ten years in various capacities including research, legal support and government contracts administration. Elise is a Founding Board Member of Women’s Global Education Project and of the newly formed Manchester Foundation for Education. Recently, she joined the Board of Mill Falls Charter School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with English Concentration from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia and a Master of Arts in Environment and Natural Resource Policy from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Michael, live in Manchester with their children, eleven year old Aidan and four year old Olivia.
Julie Baron CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation
Julie is a business professional with 20 years of experience in Leadership activities. Her strengths lie in the areas of operations, strategic planning, management, community organization, business and staff development.
In 2004, Julie joined the staff team at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire as their CEO where she oversees the organizational strategy and direction of the Foundation.
Julie also serves on the Board of the Queen City Rotary Club in Manchester. Prior to her appointment, Julie served as the Senior Vice President of Field Operations for the American Cancer Society's New England Division, where she oversaw the organization's Regional Vice Presidents, who managed the organization's 380 person field staff team.
One of Julie's passions is creating a strong vision and mobilizing organizational resources to capture that vision. She is passionate about her work and community and looks forward to learning and serving it through new eyes at LNH. She lives in Gilford where she resides with her husband, Chip.
Daniel Barrick Deputy Director of NH Center for Public Policy Studies
Daniel Barrick is the Deputy Director for the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies, a non-partisan think-tank whose goal is to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping the state’s future. Dan joined the Center in November 2010, and his work there has focused on education policy and the state budget. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Concord Monitor for eight years. While at the Monitor, he served as the paper's chief State House reporter, deputy city editor and night news editor, and coordinated the Monitor's coverage of the 2008 New Hampshire presidential primary. His reporting focused on the state's economy and the impacts of the recession. He was named the 2010 Writer of the Year by the New Hampshire Press Association. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College and has a master’s degree from Columbia University's School of Journalism. A native of New York, he lives in Concord with his wife and daughter.
Craig Beck Administrative Director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Craig Beck, a transplant to NH, was born outside of Washington D.C. but stayed in New Hampshire after graduating from Plymouth State College in 1991. His wife, Michelle, and their two boys, Tanner and Colin, live in Goffstown, and are active in the local communities. Craig received his Masters in Business Administration from Plymouth State College in 1993, and earned an additional graduate certificate in Healthcare Administration from New Hampshire College.
His healthcare career started at Oxford Health Plans as a medical claim adjudicator, moving up in the organization into both staff, project and site management roles over a seven year period. He transitioned to the healthcare delivery side, joining Dartmouth-Hitchcock, where he has worked as the Administrative Director for the Nashua medical group practice for the past eight years. In this role, he has been part of a leadership team that has worked with clinicians and staff to deliver high quality, patient centered care.
Outside of work, Craig and his family play hockey, ski, run, hike and generally take advantage of all the great outdoor activities in NH. Additionally, Craig and his family put a focus on supporting families impacted by cognitive disabilities. He has played an active role on a number of non-profit boards, including Gateways Community Services and Home Health and Hospice, and has taken a lead role in the development and growth of The Chatter Cup, a local hockey tournament that has raised both funds and awareness for the disabled community.
Roxanne Benzel Process Improvement Sr. Principle Engineer of BAE Systems
Roxanne Benzel, has been instrumental in manufacturing companies’ quests for improvements and profits over the past two decades. Having spent a number of years working for some of the larger tier 1 suppliers to the automobile manufacturers, she has brought about efficiencies and methodology changes to processes that reduce leadtime and waste. Roxanne is currently employed at BAE Systems, one of the world’s leading defense contractors, with global presence in engineering and manufacturing specialties. Roxanne is using her skills as a certified Lean Systems/Six Sigma Master Black Belt to further key business objectives of the organization. Through her leadership, she is able to reduce company costs and improve core processes through standardization and streamlining. Roxanne has been a speaker and presenter to several organizations including the Global Gemba Conference, Eaton Lean Systems Conference, the University of North Carolina Shingo Prize Conference, and at the New Hampshire Probate Court Conference in Meredith, New Hampshire.
Roxanne is very involved with the Hopkinton Historical Society currently serving as Board of Trustees Secretary, and the Hopkinton Woman’s Club as Past-President, Director, and currently serving as Historian. While serving in these worthy organizations, she has lead several major fund raising campaigns that have contributed to the needs of her community. Roxanne received a BS in Education from Michigan State University. Roxanne transferred to New Hampshire 15 years ago and lives with her husband, Tom, and 2 Chow Chows in beautiful Hopkinton.
Michael Bourbeau Vice President of Information Systems of Northeast Delta Dental
Michael Bourbeau is the Vice President of Information Systems at Northeast Delta Dental, where he has worked for 14 years. Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of nearly 740,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Michael holds undergraduate degrees in Electronic Engineering and Computer Information Systems as well as an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Michael is a graduate of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Concord program. Michael serves on the e-strategy committee of Delta Dental Association, the national organization with which Northeast Delta Dental is affiliated. Michael is a member of the Granite State Independent Living board of directors, currently serving as its treasurer.
Pubali Campbell Owner of Bikram Yoga Manchester
Pubali Campbell was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky but has been in New England since 1997, when she moved to Boston to attend Boston University. She received a B.A. in Economics from BU in 2001, and worked as a consultant in a small company in Rhode Island before joining the Bikram yoga community in 2003. Pubali has been a certified Bikram Yoga teacher since 2003, and opened Bikram Yoga Manchester in January 2005. In addition, Pubali is proud to sit on the board of Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire, is a committee member for the Your Job Your Dream program at the Moore Center, a member of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of New Hampshire, and a graduate of the Leadership Manchester Class of 2011. Pubali is honored to be participating in the Leadership NH Class of 2012.
Elizabeth Carroll President of Carroll Productions
Beth Carroll is President of Carroll Productions which creates educational content for web and broadcast, including documentaries, corporate and instructional media, as well as museum and non-profit videos.
Prior to launching the production company in 2010, Beth was the Host/Producer of “NH Outlook”, NHPTV’s award-winning weekly public affairs program focusing on state, regional and national issues. Her awards include multiple Emmy nominations, an Edward R. Murrow Award, a Telly Award, and numerous Associated Press and NHAB awards.
Beth has more than 25 years of media and community relations experience. Before coming to NH, she served as Executive Producer and TV News Anchor at the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts. Prior to that, she worked as a News Anchor/Producer at the NBC affiliate in Springfield where her work was regularly featured on CNN. She also helped launch the first 10pm newscast in Connecticut, serving as the principal News Anchor at the Fox affiliate in Hartford. Her coverage has included reports from Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the GOP political convention in New Orleans, NATO exercises in Turkey, and was Host and contributing editor for a documentary on Israel.
Active in the community on a local and state level, Beth volunteers for organizations like NH Businesses for Social Responsibility, BusinessNH Magazine, Easter Seals NH, and NH Business Review. She lives in Madbury with her husband where they serve as co-presidents of the Madbury Historical Society. Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Political Science from the University of Massachusetts.
Christy Cloutier Holmes School Director/Artistic Director of Cocheco Arts & Technology Academy
Ellie Cochran Director of Philanthropy of NH Charitable Foundation
Ellie Cochran is the Director of Philanthropy for New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and maintains a portfolio of prospective donors, fund establishers and professional advisors for the Foundation.
Ellie came to the Foundation in 2004 from The Derryfield School in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she was Director of Community Relations and held a variety of other roles over a seventeen year period.
Ellie has served on a variety of local and statewide boards and is currently a board member for the New Hampshire Institute of Art and the New Hampshire Bar Foundation.
She is a graduate of The Derryfield School and Colby Sawyer College.
Ellie lives in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Sarah Fox Court Improvement Project - Training Specialist of NH Judicial Branch
Sarah Fox grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and still calls it home. She earned a degree in elementary education from Boston University. She has had unique opportunities to travel and live abroad including a year traveling with the international performance group Up With People, student teaching in Australia, studying in Sweden and teaching 3rd grade in Ecuador.
She taught at Inter-lakes Elementary School and also worked as a child care director. During this time, she served as a CASA volunteer, providing a voice for abused/neglected children in court. The experience inspired her to pursue a career in child advocacy and she went to University of New Hampshire School of Law. Sarah received the Public Interest Coalition fellowship for two summers, working at the Children’s Alliance of NH and the Department of Education. She also externed at the Disabilities Rights Center. She was a member of the Belknap Citizens Council on Children and Families and served as Chair for two years.
Sarah graduated in 2005 with a JD and a Masters of Education Law and worked at the Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education as an Education Consultant. She is now the Court Improvement Project Training Specialist in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. She has been a foster mother for the past three years - her most challenging and rewarding endeavor.
Alyson Genovese President of Cause Solutions
Alyson Genovese is the owner of Cause Solutions, a consultancy for corporations that wish to build or enhance their strategic Community Relations, Public Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Genovese is a recognized expert and published author on a variety of sustainability-related topics, including stakeholder engagement, strategic communications and corporate community investment. Ms. Genovese also works with nonprofit organizations seeking new ways to engage with and communicate to corporate partners.
After launching her career at the Points of Light Foundation and United Way of America, Genovese served as an Account Director of Cause Branding at Cone, where she counseled blue-chip clients on how to build, enhance, or communicate strategic philanthropy programs to achieve business objectives such as increasing brand awareness, building customer loyalty, or deepening relationships with customers, investors, regulators and/or employees. Ms. Genovese then served as Senior Manager, Community and Government Relations at Comcast, where she was responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of all public affairs and community relations efforts in the region’s 400+ communities throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
Ms. Genovese has a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University, a Master’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management from George Mason University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire. Alyson and her family reside on the New Hampshire Seacoast.
Lisa Hatz Interim Director, VR Field Service Administrator of State of NH
Lisa Hatz is the Interim Director and Field Service Administrator with the State of New Hampshire, Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Vocational Rehabilitation assists customers with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment through providing individualized career planning and rehabilitation services designed to meet the needs of the customer and employer. Lisa began her career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the State of Maryland focusing on customers with traumatic brain injury and mental health disabilities. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Iowa. She recently graduated from the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute designed to provide administrative, planning and program training to new Directors of state Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Lisa lives and works in Concord, NH.
Laura Jamison Guardian ad Litem of Self Employed
Laura Jamison grew up, as a Navy brat, having travelled all over the world, is thrilled to call Northern New Hampshire home. Laura co-owned and operated a start-up restaurant in Boston and then in North Conway for eight years. After moving further north, she became involved with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates as a volunteer for abused/neglected children, later becoming a private self-employed Guardian ad Litem who advocates for children in family court. Laura is involved with many local economic development boards, including the Berlin Planning, Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery, Berlin Master Plan, Main Street Master Plan, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, and is the chair of Theatre North. For education Laura attended White Mountain Community College for Human Services, Woodbury College for Advocacy and will graduate from Granite State College for Behavioral Sciences this spring, her goal is to continue for a Masters in Mediation. Laura is a graduate of the 2008 Leadership North Country. Laura through WREN, a Rural Entrepreneurial Network coordinated a popular producer only Berlin LocalWorks Farmers Market managing over fifty local entrepreneurs and vendors throughout the summer. In the off-season she provides small business technical assistance and trainings as an independent contractor. For fun, Laura spends quality time with her busy family and better half who is a full-time firefighter Captain and NH State Legislator. They enjoy the outdoors kayaking, sailing, hiking, and beekeeping.Luis Maldonado United States Property & Fiscal Officer of Dept. of Defense, National Guard Bureau
Luis Maldonado is an active duty Army officer who resides in New Hampshire and is assigned to work with the New Hampshire National Guard. In his position, he represents the fiscal and property interests of the federal government within the National Guard, which is a New Hampshire state organization. He has been a member of the New Hampshire National Guard since 1996 and was a member of the Army Reserve in Manchester for several years before that. Prior to his reserve component service, Luis was on active duty with assignments in West Germany, Virginia, Texas, and a wartime tour in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
In addition to his military service, Luis was also a New Hampshire state employee for ten years. He served in various positions as an engineer at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord and at the Youth Development Center in Manchester.
Luis grew up in New Hampshire, having attended public schools in Bedford and Manchester. He is a 1985 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a masters degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
He is an avid hiker and backpacker who has climbed all of New Hampshire’s 4,000 foot peaks, including a few in the winter. He commutes to work by bicycle as often as he can, daily work needs permitting. Luis lives in Concord with his wife and two children.
Julie McConnell Director, Community Facilities Lending of NH Community Loan Fund
Karen McGinley Shareholder of Devine, Millimet & Branch
Karen is a shareholder of the law firm of Devine, Millimet & Branch, Professional Association, and chairs the Real Estate Practice Group. She has extensive experience in real estate matters including the representation of developers, investors, lenders, and borrowers involved in real estate purchase and sale transactions and financing. She also handles leasing transactions, operational issues and problems as well as zoning and planning issues for the firm's real estate clients. Karen has extensive experience in complex condominium and other creative forms of real estate development, including mixed use development. Karen has been Recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America in Real Estate by Woodward & White's Best Lawyers in America®,the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Karen is a member of the Town of Bedford Planning Board, is a Commissioner from Bedford to the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) and is a member of the Executive Committee of SNHPC. Of particular interest to Karen is New Urbanism which could be described in New England term as mixed use developments in the nature of a New England Village. She is currently working on new zoning for the Town of Bedford which will permit mixed use, denser development in the current commercial areas of Bedford. Personally, Karen is a transplanted Southerner from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who has been married to David for almost 29 years. They have 2 daughters, Rachel (24) and Leah (20). The family is a skiing family with David and Karen being “racer chasers” for 16 years when their girls were members of the Gunstock Ski Club racing team, sking from late November to early April of each winter season. They also love to hike and take day trips into Boston and Portsmouth. Despite her southernplace of origin, Karen has always been a die-hard Red Sox fan.Scott McPherson VP - Operations and Finance of NH Public Radio
Scott McPherson is the Vice President for Operations and Finance at New Hampshire Public Radio. He is responsible for the business and technical operations of NHPR, including engineering, information technology, finance, human resources, and facilities. He joined the station in 1995 as producer of Perspectives, a daily half-hour interview program. In October 1995, he helped launch The Exchange with Laura Knoy. Among the projects Scott has led while at NHPR include the design and construction of NHPR’s new 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art broadcast center, and expansion of NHPR’s transmission facilities across the state, expanding NHPR’s reach by more than 500,000 people.
Prior to NHPR, Scott worked as a newspaper reporter, covering politics, local government, and police and fire news for newspapers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has contributed stories to the Boston Globe, Business NH Magazine, and NPR.
Scott is a native of Plymouth, Mass. He is a graduate of Keene State College, and completed his Masters of Business Administration degree at Southern New Hampshire University in 2011.
In the community, Scott is a member of the church council for South Congregational Church. He is active with his alma mater Keene State College, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Keene Endowment Association and the editorial board of Keene State Today, the college’s alumni magazine. He is a former director of the Keene State College Alumni Association.
He and his wife Kelly are the parents of three boys and live in Concord.
Cari Moorhead Associate Dean of UNH Graduate School
Cari Moorhead was born in Dublin, Ireland. Having graduated from high school in Dublin, she attended college from 1979-1983 at the University of Ulster earning a Sports Studies degree.
Cari emigrated to the U.S. in 1985. She earned a Master's degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Northeastern University in Boston. Since 1988 she has worked in a variety of positions at the University of New Hampshire, both in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. She is currently the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at UNH. During her tenure at UNH she earned a Ph.D. in Education.
She serves on many UNH wide committees including the UNH Strategic Initiates, the Diversity Council, and the President’s Commission on the Status of LGBT concerns. Her work to enhance educational access and inclusion for underrepresented students was recognized recently when she was inducted into the UNH Diversity Hall of Fame.
Professionally, Cari recently started a three year term as New Hampshire’s representative to the Executive Council of the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools. She has a long history of community service including work with the Greater Seacoast United Way, and First Tee of New Hampshire. She is an avid golfer and is a member of the Rochester Country Club.
Oreste "Rusty" Mosca Principal Shareholder of Nathan Wechsler & Company
Rusty J. Mosca is director of the auditing and accounting practice of Nathan Wechsler & Company, P.A. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of New Hampshire (Whittemore School of Business) in 1985. He spent three years at Deloitte and Touche before joining Nathan Wechsler & Company, P.A. in 1987. Rusty was admitted as a principal in 1994.
Rusty has significant audit experience in a variety of industries with a concentration in the construction industry and with nonprofit entities. He has been instrumental in managing the firm’s paperless audit and accounting practices, quality control and the implementation of new accounting pronouncements. His proactive approach to technology based auditing practices has proven invaluable.
Rusty has been a featured speaker at accounting and audit related seminars, including at the NH Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism, Bank of America Nonprofit Seminar Series, and the Independent School Association of Northern New England.
An active member of his community, Rusty serves as Treasurer and a Board Member of Havenwood-Heritage Heights Retirement Community and serves on the Board of Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire. He is a member of the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, Rusty previously held an officer position on the NH Teen Institute Board and was a recipient of the Jefferson Award for Active Volunteerism in the community. He has also helped establish federal funding for Granite State Youth Mentors, an initiative for mentoring programs.
Peter Nieves Shareholder of Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green
Suellen Peluso Associate VP for Development of Dartmouth-Hitchcock & Dartmouth Medical School
Suellen Peluso is associate vice president for development for Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock, directing the comprehensive fundraising program in alignment with the institutions’ priorities. She oversees principal, leadership, and annual giving programs, as well as corporate and foundation relations. Suellen was recruited to Dartmouth in 2002 to serve as the first director of foundation and corporate relations for Dartmouth’s academic medical enterprise, where she fostered a strong focus on building cross-campus partnerships and establishing academic-industry collaborations. In 2008, she assumed the additional role of senior philanthropic advisor to The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Prior to Dartmouth, Suellen served as director of development at Colby-Sawyer College from 2000 to 2002.
Before relocating to New Hampshire, Suellen held positions at the University of California, Los Angeles, including director of development for the division of life sciences and cross-campus collaborative efforts in translational medicine, and as director of development operations and planning for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Prior to her career in advancement, Suellen was a research associate at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a clinical genetics technologist at the New York Blood Center.
Suellen received her bachelor's of arts in microbiology from Purchase College, and earned an MS in health policy and management from the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, with a focus on maternal and child health. She serves on the board of the Star Island Corporation, and attends the International Affairs Conference each summer.
Steven Poggi Sr. Manager Engineering of Waste Management Inc.
Steve Poggi is the Senior Engineering Manager for Waste Management’s New England Market Area where he is responsible for facility planning, permitting, and construction. Waste Management’s operations in New England includes 16 solid waste collection districts, 6 transfer stations, 6 recycling plants, and 8 disposals sites. Operations in NH include the state of the art Turnkey Recycling and Environmental Enterprise facility in Rochester where Mr. Poggi has been involved in the design, permitting, construction, operation, and compliance for over 20 years.
The Turnkey Facility manages nearly a third of the NH’s solid waste and includes double lined landfills, a recycling plant, two landfill gas-to-electricity plants , and a comprehensive Master End Use Plan for the 1,200 acre site. This site provided landfill gas to UNH to help generate approximately 60% of the power used at University’s Durham Campus in 2010.
Prior to joining Waste Management in 1986, he worked for environmental engineering consulting firms in Boston and NH on solid waste management projects for various municipal and private clients throughout the Country.
Poggi currently serves as Chairman on the Board of Trustees for the Frisbie Memorial Hospital and has previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Manchester YMCA and Strafford County YMCA. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in NH and Maine. He was raised in NH and now lives in Hampstead with his wife and two children.
Mary Jane Ricker SVP Commercial Services of Laconia Savings Bank
Mary Jane Ricker, Senior Vice President at Laconia Savings Bank, serves the financial needs of business customers throughout New Hampshire. With 30 years of banking experience, Mary Jane assists these businesses from start-up to maturity.
Mary Jane is a graduate of ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Georgetown University, the National Commercial Lending Graduate School, University of Oklahoma and Business Administration, Southern NH University (formerly New Hampshire College).
Mary Jane has actively participated in the community by serving on many boards and charitable program projects. Mary Jane is currently serving as Chairperson of the Board for Northern New England School of Banking and Chairperson for Concord Hospital Business Partners in Heath. She also serves as a member of the Concord Hospital Philanthropy Committee and Kiwanis. She was formerly Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Familystrength, Board member for Kiwanis Club of Concord and an Economics Program Instructor for Junior Achievement. Mary Jane has received awards for her dedication to community service and volunteerism from Laconia Savings Bank as well as from the town of Chichester School Board.
Tonya Rochette VP HR Solutions of HR Partners, LLC
Tonya has over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field working in diverse areas spanning retail, manufacturing and distribution markets. In her experience serving companies in Director roles, she established herself as a global business partner working with highly diverse groups to support their growth strategies. In her current capacity as VP HR Solutions for Human Resource Partners, she works with client’s management teams in various outsourced HR capacities.
Tonya earned her MBA from the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics and is a graduate of the 2010 Leadership Greater Concord class and currently serves on the Steering Committee. She is a member of The Society for Human Resource Management and participates actively in community organizations such as The Concord Young Professionals where she serves on both the Steering and Enrichment Committees along with the Steering Committee for the Capital Area Student Leadership program and Concord Hospital Business Partners in Health. She serves as a Board Member of both Main Street Concord, Inc. and ConcordTV. Finally, she was awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year for the Concord Family YMCA.
She lives with her husband Rob, daughter Abby, son Chad and dog Moxie in Concord, NH.
Bart Sapeta Assistant Professor of Architecture of Keene State College
Bart is a broadly experienced licensed architect with substantial expertise in sustainable building design. Over the last 12 years he worked with numerous boards and building committees as well as private clients, primarily on civic and community type projects with strong emphasis on sacral architecture. Holder of NCARB Certificate and LEED AP credentials, he currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire. He studied at the Wroclaw University of Technology in Poland and Drury University in Missouri receiving master of architecture and engineering, and bachelor of architecture degrees. Bart lives in Keene with his wife and two daughters.
Kirk Simoneau Partner of Nixon, Vogelman, Barry, Slawsky and Simoneau P.A
Kirk Simoneau is a native of Nashua, New Hampshire. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly Franklin Pierce Law School) magna cum laude, Attorney Simoneau was a member of the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program. Prior to law school Attorney Simoneau earned a degree in English from the University of New Hampshire and worked as a professional writer and speaker.
Attorney Simoneau came to the practice of law for very specific reasons. As the sole eyewitness to a hit-and-run drunk driver killing his pedestrian father, he learned the criminal, probate, and civil law practice in the state of Florida as a participant. His efforts have also resulted in the creation of the Normand L. Simoneau Community Room at the Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, in memory of his late father.
Prior to law school Attorney Simoneau was an author and lecturer. He currently serves on the Board of the New Hampshire Academic Decathlon, his family's charitable foundation, The New Hampshire Bar Foundation and has been a member of numerous other charitable and civic groups, including the board of directors of the Nashua Senior Activity Center. His practice involves all types of litigation, including personal injury, wrongful death, discrimination and pro bono legal assistance to the disadvantaged.
He was named one of the Union Leader’s 40 Under 40 and was a finalist for Business New Hampshire Magazine’s Self Made in New Hampshire award, but Attorney Simoneau considers living in Bedford, New Hampshire with his lovely wife Anne and three young daughters, Elizabeth, Abigale and Rebecca as well as his his mother, Linda to be his greatest reward yet. On his days off, Kirk still tries to hit golf balls and write the great American novel.
Kathy Smith Program Director of NH Humanities Council
Kathy has worked for the NH Humanities Council since 1988. In 2000 she left to start a freelance writing business and for four years she worked for several non-profits around the state, including the World Affairs Council, the Innkeepers’ Association, and Strawbery Banke, among others. She published a piece of literary nonfiction on the buffalo wars in Montana and was a visiting professor in the English Department at the University of California, Irvine during that time. She returned to the NHHC in 2005 as program director. She is an active member of Grace Capital Church in Pembroke and Acting Chair of the Boscawen Conservation Commission. She continues work on a series of profiles on master innkeepers of New England as well as other freelance writing and editing assignments. She is an avid athlete and outdoors woman who loves hiking, running, paddling, cycling, and skiing. Also a rug maker, book worm, and ardent gardener, she lives at her home in Boscawen with four cats and assorted wild creatures. She spends her leisure time adventuring with lifelong friends.
Nick Soggu President of SilverTech
As founder and CEO of SilverTech, Nick Soggu has grown what began as a web services start-up in 1996 into the nationally-recognized, full-service digital marketing agency the firm is today. SilverTech, named three years in a row to the Inc. 5000 ‘Fastest Growing Private Companies’ list, has earned numerous awards and recognition under Nick’s exemplary leadership.
Nick has also received numerous personal and professional accolades. He was recipient of the 2007 ‘Excellence in Business’ award presented by the New Hampshire Business Review, the 2008 ‘40 Under 40’ award by The Union Leader, a 2008 ‘Emerging Leader’ award by NH Charitable Foundation, and was named to New Hampshire Magazine’s ‘IT’ list. In 2010, Nick was named a ‘Top 25 NH Leader to Watch for the Next 25 Years’ by Business New Hampshire Magazine and received the Pastoral Counseling Services ‘Good Samaritan’ award. Nick also earned a Historic Preservation Award for renovations to SilverTech’s headquarters.
Nick is committed to participating in the growth of New Hampshire’s economy and has been promoting New Hampshire businesses and professionals for over 15 years. He has spearheaded programs and helped to form organizations such as the Manchester Young Professionals Network and Stay Work Play, and has participated in the Manchester Area Colleges Consortium – promoting higher education’s role in the region’s economic, social and cultural well-being.
Nick’s board appointments include Northeast Delta Dental, SEE Science Center, Amoskeag Industries, Palace Theatre and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the Greater Manchester Leadership program.
Mica Stark Special Assistant to President for Gov't Relations of UNH
Mica Stark manages federal and state government relations for the University of New Hampshire, along with a variety of strategic initiatives for UNH President Mark Huddleston. As a 9th generation New Hampshire native, Mica feels a deep connection to the state and has spent his career trying to improve the quality of life in NH.
Before working at UNH, he was the managing director at the NH Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College where he managed four presidential debates and developed and led numerous civic engagement initiatives. Mica has worked with several nonprofits in the state, including City Year New Hampshire, where he was the founding board co-chair, and the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, a regional land trust west of Manchester. Mica also helped start Portsmouth Listens, a citizen led effort to organize well-designed citizen deliberations on various policy issues. He graduated summa cum laude from Michigan State University earning his master's degree in political theory and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of New Hampshire.
When not working and spending time playing trains and dinosaurs with his two young boys and wife, Mica can be found golfing.
Chad Stearns Executive Director of Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce
Laura Thibault Interim Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice NH
Laura Thibault currently serves as Interim Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice NH. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and a native of the state, her background includes more than a decade of non-profit advocacy and management.
Laura has worked as an independent nonprofit consultant and has a passion for mission based work.
Laura is dedicated to volunteerism and serves in several volunteer roles in her community, including religious education teacher and hospitality volunteer for the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and with the Pease Public Library Association. She particularly enjoys volunteering with her two children during the summer months with the Plymouth Area Eco-Learning Farm Stand (ELFS).
In her spare moments, Laura can be found with her two sons making mud pies at the beach, reading stories, planting vegetables & flowers or playing tag.
Debra Titus Principal Consultant of Human Capital Solutions, LLC
Debra Titus of Auburn NH is Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of Human Capital Solutions, LLC. Her career spans 27 years in the management consulting/training industry.
She assists clients in striking the right dynamics and balance between process and people. Client work includes strategic planning, leadership development, systemic services, competency model development, online assessments, culture audits, process improvement, and training that link career planning, succession planning, workforce attraction and retention and overall business growth. Ms. Titus is a certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator practitioner as well as one a certified trainer and consultant for several globally recognized programs. Through her work, she transitions between the roles of facilitator, coach, trainer and consultant while remaining a trusted advisor.
Ms. Titus serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and Executive Committee who chairs the Community Resource Development Committee which overseas Leadership Greater Nashua. Additionally, she serves on the board of The Manchester Community Music School, the Advisory Council for Girls at Work, Inc. and supports the state’s young professional initiatives; she played an instrumental role in supporting the Governor’s Task Force for attracting and retaining Young Workers. Committed to the future, she also volunteers for the Hugh O’Brien Youth leadership program. Her work earned her recognition as one of six NH’s Outstanding Women in Business for 2010 by NH Business Review and is thrilled to be part of Leadership New Hampshire’s Class of 2012.
Jeanine Tousignant CEO of Manchester Community Music School
A graduate of HARTT School of Music with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Management, Jeanine Tousignant joined the Manchester Community Music School as the school’s first Director of Development in June 2005. Since that time, she has promoted to Vice President for Advancement and is now CEO. Throughout her sixteen year career in the field of development Jeanine has worked for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, New Britain Symphony, and the Buffalo Museum of Science and Nardin Academy, Concord Community Music School and The Women’s Fund of NH.
Jeanine is on the Advisory Board of Leadership Manchester, coordinating the Arts & Culture Day. She is also on the board of the Manchester Rotary Club. Jeanine is past President of the Board of Directors of CONFR (Continuing Education in Fundraising). She pursues her love of playing the clarinet with the chamber music group Dynamic Trio and with the Manchester Community Music School Summer Band. She has volunteered with the Greater Manchester YMCA and the Manchester Young Professionals Network. She served on the Manchester Arts Commission from 2007-2009. In 2010, Jeanine received The Award for Excellence in Development from CONFR, and is also a member of the 2009 of the Union Leader’s 40 Under 40 Class.
While Jeanine is originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, she and her husband Chris Drobat live in Manchester. To unwind, Jeanine enjoys fishing, bicycling, gardening, and many gathering with family and friends.
Betsy Warren Product Support Director, Survivability & Protection Solutions of BAE Systems
Betsy Warren is a Director of Product Support for the Electronic Solutions Sector at BAE Systems, where she has worked since 2002. Her career spans 30 years in the defense and aerospace industry. Prior to joining BAE Systems, she was the Treasurer and Operations Manager at Tech Resources, Inc. and held quality assurance and program management positions at Kollsman Instrument Company.
Betsy served on the Wilton school board, Wilton budget committee and SAU 63 school board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business and Finance from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale Michigan and a Masters Degree in Management of Technology from the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business.
Betsy is a native of Milford, NH. She and her husband Jeffrey and son Andrew currently make their home in Bedford.
Mark Whitney Senior Financial Advisor of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Mark Whitney is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who advises people and organizations through every step of their financial life cycle, focusing on in-depth financial solutions and a relationship built on trust. He develops and implements financial plans ranging from asset accumulation to the efficient transfer of a business or an individual's wealth. He helps clients determine long-term financial goals and implement customized investment strategies with an emphasis on securing a lifetime retirement income stream. In addition, he advises families of children with disabilities as a Certified Special Needs Advisor. At the heart of his philosophy is a passion to build enduring client relationships through his commitment to provide outstanding guidance and service.
Mark earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College, a M.B.A. in Finance from University of West Florida, a J.D. from Regent University’s School of Law and a LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida. He is a member of Bedford Community Church, the Bedford Rotary Club, the New Hampshire Estate Planning Council, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Manchester Young Professionals Network, the Business and Industry Association and is an alumnus of the 2010-2011 class of Leadership Greater Manchester. He serves on the Palace Theatre Community Advisory Board and the board of the New Hampshire Philharmonic orchestra. Mark is an avid traveler and outdoorsman who resides in Manchester, NH with his daughter Shea Bella.