Class of 2022

Class of ’22

Karen has been in the banking industry for 15+ years and is currently the Market Manager for Partners Bank in Rye. I’m lucky to have a job that I truly love. I enjoy connecting with my customers, getting to know them and providing exceptional customer service to answer their financial questions.

Karen received her B.S. in Marketing from C.C.S.U. in New Britain, CT. I’ve been the Treasurer of Hampton Lacrosse for 8+ years; former board member of the North Hampton Business Association and a current member of Seacoast Women’s Giving Circle.

I reside in the Seacoast with two of my three sons and our fun-loving, French bulldog, Tark. I enjoy biking, walking, paddle boarding and spending time at the beach or on a lake. I look forward to learning about the different topics covered in Leadership Seacoast.

Class of ’22

Brooke Baerman is the Associate Campaign Manager at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine, where she is working on a capital campaign to renovate and restore the historic theatre. She graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University with degrees in Art History and Philosophy. Brooke holds a master’s in American Material Culture from the Winterthur Program and a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Delaware.

She has held a fellowship at Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, and presented her master’s thesis, “New Order from your Hand, New Lustre from your Eye”: the Art, Craft, and Science of Philadelphia Shellwork Grottos, at Colonial Williamsburg. Brooke has also worked at various museums, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Whistler House Museum of Art.

Brooke is thrilled to be participating in Leadership Seacoast, and she looks forward to exploring new ways to contribute to the community. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and writing fiction. Originally from New Hampshire, she currently lives in Wells, Maine with her partner Erik and their two cats.

Class of ’22

Evan leads the Risk Management and Training team at Eastern Propane and Oil, based in Rochester. Originally from Maine, Evan moved to New Hampshire to attend UNH in Durham. After graduating, he pursued a career in the energy industry starting as a loss control consultant for an insurance carrier. After several years, he transitioned to another area marketer as Safety Director before moving to his current position. Evan is an active member of several professional associations, currently serving as Chair of the Emergency Response Committee and member of the Education and Safety Committee for the Propane Gas Association of New England, as well as an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

When Evan isn’t committed to his career in Risk Management, he serves as Deputy Fire Chief for the Town of Newmarket. He joined the department in February of 2005 while a student at UNH and continues to serve his community today. He is actively involved in the Newmarket Firefighter’s Association and the Seacoast Chief Fire Officer Mutual Aid District.

A full-time resident of Newmarket since 2008, Evan lives with his wife, two young daughters, and yellow lab. They enjoy an active lifestyle while exploring everything New Hampshire has to offer.

Class of ’22

I am the Operations Manager for Eversource Energy’s Eastern Region, the largest energy delivery company in New England. I am fortunate to collaborate with incredibly talented and dedicated professionals every day to provide safe, reliable service to the more than 4 million customers we serve.

In addition to Eversource, I am also a Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor. I have accumulated thousands of hours of flight time and flown over 100 different aircraft. This role has allowed me to see and share a perspective not often observed by others.

As a New Hampshire native, I am passionate of the many opportunities New Hampshire and in particular the Seacoast has to offer. I volunteer much of my time to coaching youth sports, particularly baseball and soccer. In fact, the U10 girls soccer team I coach just completed their 2021 season undefeated! When not on the field, I am often found outdoors hiking the Presidential Range, rock climbing and mountain biking within Pawtuckaway State Park, or just skiing down one of the many NH slopes.

Class of ’22

Tom Burleigh serves as a wealth manager and financial planner at CMH Wealth Management in North Hampton. In his role, he works with individuals and families seeking financial security through thoughtful planning. He enjoys helping clients navigate periods of transition – whether that be a family, business, or career transition.

Prior to joining CMH Wealth in 2019, Tom served as a Principal at Longfellow Investment Management Co. in Boston. He previously spent time also working in Portland, ME and Washington, DC.

Tom has served as a non-profit board member and member of multiple finance committees. He has exhibited very poor roofing skills while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and superior cleaning skills at the Trotter School in Dorchester. Tom and his family feel blessed with a strong local community. He is excited to join Leadership Seacoast, to build on that community and grow alongside other curious connectors.
Tom grew up on the Seacoast of NH. He enjoys being back in the area, exploring the coast and coffee shops with his wife, Mikala, and their two young daughters.

As the girls get older, they’ll be strongly encouraged to share Tom and Mikala’s love of hiking, skiing, and exploring all that New England has to offer.

Class of ’22

Hello! My name is Steve Butzel, and I am the director of the Portsmouth Public Library in Portsmouth, NH. I am also a life coach specializing in working with people who desire to look deeply at themselves and explore intimately how they are and are not truly thriving in their life.

I believe impactful leadership requires not only vision, knowledge and experience, but also deep curiosity, honesty and vulnerability. I lead from my heart while complementing it with the collective knowledge and wisdom of my team and my own lived experiences and education.
My participation in Leadership Seacoast is reflective of my commitment to personal growth and translating that growth into action, both in my professional and community life.

As far as my future goals and plans, both professionally and in the community, I hope to accelerate my growth as a leader and broaden my contribution to my community, and that means locally, regionally and beyond. This may take the form of joining more boards of nonprofits and businesses. It may take the form of leading grassroots campaigns. But no matter what, I will remain open to learning from my mistakes and leveraging relationships with others who know more than I do!

Class of ’22

Brylye Collins is a Talent Acquisition Partner and Certified Diversity Recruiter at Novocure. Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer through the development and commercialization of its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields. Brylye has been a talent professional since 2015 and was in management 15 years prior to that. She believes in maintaining a positive mindset, creating partnerships, and always strives for significant outcomes. Brylye was also one of the the winners of Novocure’s prestigious Novocure Excellence “Drive” Award in 2021.

Brylye has volunteered her time as an Ambassador for the Dover Chamber of Commerce. While at the Dover Chamber, she participated in the Cocheco Arts Festival committee. Additionally, she has volunteered for the Garrison PTA, Dover Little Green Football, and Dover Little Green Cheerleading.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time at home with her three children and two dogs. She enjoys the outdoors, keeping an active lifestyle , and is currently training for a triathlon in 2022.

Class of ’22

Mark Connors is the Town Planner for the Town of Stratham, NH. In that role, he helps lead both short- and long-term planning projects for the Town and assists the Planning Board with development and subdivision reviews and oversight of land use and zoning regulations. Previously he served as the Assistant Planning Director for the Town of Bedford, NH. Much of his planning career has centered on regional planning efforts, including for the Nashua Regional Planning Commission in Nashua, NH, the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments in Lowell, Mass., and with the Wasatch Front Regional Council in Salt Lake City while in graduate school. Mark has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and a Master’s of City & Metropolitan Planning from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. His professional interests include demographic research and housing policy.

In his spare time, he enjoys attempting to renovate his very old and largely crumbling home in Dover, traveling, skiing, and trying out new restaurants and microbreweries.

Class of ’22

Scott Dodge is a Sr. Regional Technical Representative for Airbus Helicopters supporting helicopter operators in the Northeast. His support contributes to the overall success of customers who fly critical no-fail missions in both law enforcement and emergency air medical segments. He was a key team member contributing to the success of the X3, Airbus’ experimental hybrid high-speed helicopter demonstrator, which successfully achieved a record-breaking speed of 255 knots. Scott also serves in the NH Air National Guard as a Senior

Master Sargent supporting the KC-46 Air Refueler, ensuring its global readiness. Scott began his military career in the United States Marine Corps in 1994, dedicating his life to one of service before self. His military service has spanned across 26 years, and in support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Scott, his wife, and children live in

Southern Maine. Scott has been visiting Balch Lake in Maine for over 40 years. His love of this special place has had a lasting impact on his life. His hobbies include downhill skiing, hunting, fishing, and hiking

Scott has served on the Board of Directors for the New England Helicopter Council, the Shepard Island Association, and with the NH Air National Guard Minute Man Fund, created to support military members.

Class of ’22

Kerstyn Flack joined Bank of New Hampshire in March of 2021 as Assistant Vice President – Dover Banking Office Manager. With over eight years of experience in financial operations, Kerstyn brings a wealth of knowledge in customer service, employee engagement, and branch management to her team of banking professionals. In her role, Kerstyn oversees the daily operations of the office while also being responsible for the management of the office’s deposit portfolio, customer relationship management, new business development and community engagement.

Kerstyn continually looks for ways to engage with the community and local non-profit organizations. Since immersing herself in the Seacoast community, Kerstyn’s positive and enthusiastic personality has served her well. Currently, Kerstyn is an Ambassador with the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, a member of Business Network International (BNI), and was recently named a NAMI Connect Adult Advisor for Dover High School students.

A lifelong resident of New Hampshire, Kerstyn currently resides in the Lakes Region with her two Golden Retrievers, Georgia and Basil, and a Hedgehog named Fig. Kerstyn has a passion for travel and is always looking for her next adventure!

Class of ’22

Lieutenant Colonel Natalie J. Friedenthal is the Staff Judge Advocate for the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard. She is responsible for all legal matters arising within the Wing. Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal was sworn in as an officer on April 4, 2008.

Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal has prior service experience as an enlisted member in both the active duty Air Force and the Air National Guard. She was on active duty from 1994 to 1998 as a Target Intelligence Specialist working with B-1b Lancers at the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. During that time she deployed with her unit to Oman as well as deploying to support the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy and the 4406th Provisional Operations Group at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. After leaving active duty, she joined the 129th Rescue Squadron of the California Air National Guard, working as an Intelligence Specialist for a combined squadron of HH-60s, HC-130s, and Pararescue Jumpers. With the CANG, she deployed with her unit to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

After taking a break in service to complete law school, Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal accepted a position in South Korea working as a legal liaison to the South Korean Supreme Court. In that position she created a globally-focused legal education program and taught these classes to Korean judges who were enrolled in advanced legal education programs in English-speaking countries the following semester. Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal worked as a litigation attorney for Vanacore Law Office in Concord, New Hampshire from 2007 through 2017 where she specialized in employment law, personal injury, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability. After serving for seven months as the Director of Training and Exercises for the New Hampshire National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters, she assumed the position of full-time Legal Advisor to the 157th ARW Wing Commander.

In addition to the core tasks of a Staff Judge Advocate, Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal has engaged in continuous process improvement within the legal specialty. Her innovative training program, Progressive Discipline Boot Camp for Supervisors, has been submitted as a benchmark and was named a “best practice” in the Air National Guard by the ANG Assistant to The Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Friedenthal has been a guest speaker at Senior and Noncommissioned Office Professional Enhancement seminars, Wing and Group professional development training, and the First Sergeant’s Symposium. She also has created and presented New Commanders’ Legal Orientation; Deployment Lessons Learned—the Hard Way; and Not Your Daddy’s Air National Guard. She has instructed at the Air National Guard Law Office Course.

Class of ’22

Hello, my name is Yvette Frost and I am a Premium Administration Analyst for Benefits at FedPoint which administers employee benefits for the federal government.

Throughout my career I have been introduced to many groups in the area and try to volunteer or become involved in local events and opportunities at least once every few months. I am also a member of our Corporate Giving Committee here at FedPoint and I love it so much being a part of the group that helps keep our employees involved in volunteer opportunities and other activities in our area.

I am a single cat mom of 3 living in Rochester, New Hampshire. In my free time, I love to listen to local bands and all kinds of music; travel to different states to see concerts and shows; travel to other destinations with family and friends. I am also an avid reader and a want to be writer and I have recently started to blog on behalf of my new side hustle that I love Pampered Chef. I am excited to be a part of the 2022 Leadership Seacoast class!

Class of ’22

Born and raised in Northern, NJ, I joined the Army after obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Animal Technology. After eight years in the Military as a Veterinarian Technician and then a Transportation Officer, having earned a BA in Psychology, I left to pursue a Master’s Degree in Business with a Healthcare concentration. With my love of the outdoors and nature, I moved North with my native New Englander husband and began my health care administration career in Boston, working with MassHealth and an affiliated HMO for individuals with end-stage AIDs and severe physical disabilities. When we moved to NH, I transitioned my career to the Primary Care and then Hospital settings. And, for the last 8 years, I have been working with Long Term Care Partners, now FedPoint, in Portsmouth, in the Claims Department as a Team Lead.

In my free time I enjoy practicing Yoga, walking, hiking, bike riding, reading, shopping, checking out new places, eating out and Family Time, including my husband, 2 young adult children, our Dog, Cat and Gecko!

Class of ’22

Kim Gibson recently joined the “Wildly Reliable”, family run company, Relyco, in Dover, NH as a Sales Representative after a hiatus to raise her two amazing daughters.

Prior to reenergizing her career in sales, she was the Director of Human Resources for the Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth and sister properties Hilton Garden Inn Lewiston and Hampton Inn Exeter. In addition, Kim leveraged her SHRM accreditation as an adjunct instructor teaching Human Resources and the Law for Granite State College.

Kim’s passion for driving change and community service was ignited by her involvement with the United Way of the Greater Seacoast in the late 1990’s. Since then, Kim has been involved as a volunteer in the local school system, secretary of the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the Barrington Youth Association both as a softball coach and sponsorship advocate.

Kim is most passionate about her work with HAVEN NH, the largest violence prevention non- profit in NH, serving in leadership roles both on the Board’s Executive Committee and Development Committee as well as her work in her hometown, running the Barrington End 68 Hours of Hunger program for the past 5 years.

Becoming a part of Leadership Seacoast, class of 2022 means so much to her and she is energized that this work will enhance her ability to outreach to the community and deepen her connection within the catchment area she serves.

Class of ’22

Hello! My name is Matthew Gordon and I am the Assistant Treasurer of Piscataqua Savings Bank, located in downtown Portsmouth, NH. I began my career here six years ago as a Teller and moved into the Finance Department of the Bank in the spring of 2016. I graduated from Providence College in 2013 with a BA in Business Economics. Since joining the Bank, I have also graduated from the Northern New England School of Banking as well as the New England School for Financial Studies. My main job responsibilities involve managing cashflows, maintaining the investment portfolio, and assisting the Treasurer with monthly and quarterly financial filings.

I was born in Illinois but raised in New Hampshire. Growing up I was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. My main hobbies revolve around sports. I currently play in an adult recreation volleyball league, and in years past I have also played flag football and dodgeball. In addition to sports, I fill my days going for walks along the beach at Fort Foster with my wife, Lily, and our dog, Mars. It is our hope to travel abroad together someday soon.

I am excited to be a part of Leadership Seacoast’s Class of 2022 and look forward to engaging with my classmates and exploring the issues in the seacoast community.

Class of ’22

An interesting thing happened to me on LinkedIn recently.

I had responded to a post; I neither remember the original post or my response but that doesn’t matter. What matters is a reaction I got from that. Someone I do not know took exception to my answer; they were not content to call me on the content of that, they went on to attack me personally for being “Woke” or perhaps (even worse) “Fake Woke” and castigate me in a Neo-McCarthyism rant. My transgression – I choose to include my Pronouns on my LinkedIn Profile!
I seldom respond to unknown people on the Internet but in this case I felt the need to defend my choice. In my reply I noted my many LGBTQA+ friends and family members including the memory of my Uncle. What struck me was how my attacker wanted to devalue not just my initial reply but me as a person. That is something I’ve not felt before.

Being “Woke” is a good thing in the sense that I am sensitive to discrimination, injustice and prejudice. My Oath as a Boy Scout – I earned Eagle Scout – requires that I “keep myself physically fit, Mentally Awake, and Morally Straight.

Essentially my Mentally Awake state goes back to my very earliest memory; November 22nd, 1963, I was 3 ½ years old and President Kennedy had just been assassinated in Dallas. I do not remember the act itself (my Mother shut the TV off almost immediately) I do remember the waves of emotion surging across the US. My formative years in the 1960s continued tumultuously with assassinations, race and gay riots, Vietnam, Kent State and Woodstock.

In my own family during that time I was taught to Welcome people regardless of color, nationality, gender – but not so much when it came to homosexuals including my Uncle Douglas to whom my mother was cordial. Openly welcoming new Black and Puerto Rican families to our formerly all white neighborhood came at a cost to my Mom and Dad as they became pariahs – as hurtful as that was to my Mom especially they stoically persevered.
From our suburban and generally liberal New Jersey town my Dad and I were among a few people who enjoyed taking to the hunting fields. Most of my friends thought that hunting was barbaric. Shooting and hunting are still a touch point between me and my Dad and Granddad.

Then there was my Uncle Douglas – “Queer as a Three Dollar Bill” was how my Dad described his older brother. Douglas was banished to California by his own father and mother. He would come East for weddings and funerals. Being called ‘Queer’ was a pejorative in that era; it often preceded a violent physical attack. Douglas was also an actor who was at his best on a live stage but also took roles for TV and the Movies. He spoke a half dozen languages fluently and could play piano like Liberace! On April 5th of 1978 M. Douglas Henderson took his own life and all his talent went with him in death.

In the interim I served for four years in the US Marine Corps – mainly in Japan. I got out of The Corps during the depth of the recession in 1982 and was fortunate to find a job. I have never been out of work since; the old Boy Scout attributes of Trustworthiness and Loyalty definitely help here. So does being flexible as I have worked at a variety of jobs.

Somehow in our spare time my first wife (I’m on my third but that is another story) and I raised three caring, empathetic and intelligent children. They are now raising our eight grandchildren.

All of the above bring me to being the person who likes to spend an hour at the shooting range, a day hunting or fishing but still shares (and spoiler alert – will continue to share) his {He, Him, His} pronouns on his LinkedIn Profile.

Class of ’22

I am Katrin Kasper (she/her) I grew up in Hanover, NH, I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management from UNH, where I developed a deep understanding of complex systems, the natural world, and our effect on it. I have maintained that love of wildlife throughout my life. I dreamt of Africa since I was a small child and moved to Nairobi, Kenya after college, where the very foundation of my thinking began to crumble. I have been searching for the truth ever since. I returned to the states and lived in Ohio and Kentucky before realizing there is no place like home, and for me, that is the Seacoast of New Hampshire.

I have a husband and two teenagers. After the children were born, our family faced a series of medical challenges, and my husband and I decided I would stay home with our children. I found volunteering was a way to work around my schedule and still help me feel connected to my community. I have been president of the Lee Cooperative Nursery School, part of the Lee Public Library Community Center, a regular volunteer at Mast Way, member of the Middle School Action and Go Vote Committee, a swap shop volunteer, and board member of: The Freedom Cafe, The Lee Historical Society, the Town Hall Renovation Committee, Work Opportunities Unlimited, and was the Chair of the ORCSD Long Range Planning Committee. Currently I am a Select Person for the Town of Lee.

Class of ’22

An NYC native, Katherine has spent the last 4 years on the Seacoast, living in Portsmouth, New Castle, Newington, and Dover. In between moving each year, Katherine has served as the Executive Director of Rain for the Sahel and Sahara (RAIN), a Portsmouth-based NGO partnering with rural and nomadic communities in Niger to enable greater resilience through access to education and opportunity. Katherine’s experience spans education, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and malaria prevention. She joined RAIN in 2017 having lived, worked, and studied in Francophone communities throughout Africa, South America, and Europe.

With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Katherine is committed to helping combat the ways that nonprofits can perpetuate the status quo. She believes we need to invest in our values. If we don’t invest, the path forward narrows. But we broaden and sometimes forge new pathways forward by investing our time, our energy, and our resources. Katherine believes in both the value and the power of community. She hopes that we can build a brighter communal future through humble listening, constructive dialogue, and honest engagement with diverse viewpoints.

Katherine is also an avid yogi and lover of all forms of dance – particularly casino (salsa cubana).

Class of ’22

Hi! My name is Amanda LaRoche and I’m a manager at Novocure in Portsmouth, NH. I manage a team of 30+ driven, empathetic customer care coordinators, and we work to support our patients and caregivers fighting some of the most aggressive forms of cancer out there today. I’m a proactive, analytical, and highly organized individual with a lot of experience in supporting department operations. I’m also someone who inherently needs to go home at night knowing that I’ve made a connection and a difference in someone’s day.

Community outreach has always been important to me. I currently volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County as well as Catie’s Closet in Dracut, MA. Understanding the history behind a person’s access, or lack of, to food, clothing, and toiletries is a passion of mine. I believe that arming kids and adults of all backgrounds with basic necessities like these allows them an opportunity to focus on their strengths, not their struggles.

My husband and I just got married a few months ago after having to postpone due to the pandemic, so we’re enjoying some travel, some house projects, and some quiet after a few chaotic months. We’re big sports people, so you can usually find us running, working out, and cheering on the Pats and Celtics!

Class of ’22

Originally from the Upper Valley region, Anna moved across state to the seacoast 9 years ago and still considers it one of the best decisions of her life! She loves the culture of the seacoast region and has made many wonderful friends along the way.

Anna majored in journalism and minored in writing at Keene State College. She is one of those people who is driven to be the change she wishes to see in the world and that has led her to a career that has spanned newspaper reporting, science museum education and evidence based supported employment in community mental health. For those who have not heard of supported employment, it is similar to career coaching for clients receiving treatment at a community mental health center. She worked for 6 years assisting clients to obtain and retain meaningful employment. She began her current career at Fedpoint in Portsmouth as an email temp in October 2019 and is excited to continue to grow her career with the company.

Anna is very passionate about cultural, social, political and economic aspects of a region and how it all affects and enriches the lives of the people in a community. She is especially interested in how neurodiversity and disability intersect with these aspects of community life.

Anna has wanted to be involved in Leadership Seacoast for some time and is excited to get to know the class. She lives in Dover with her husband, Bill, and their chatty calico cat, Mia.

Class of ’22

Ryan Lirette is an experienced civil litigation attorney working at Sheehan Phinney. Ryan’s practice focuses on business litigation and other areas of law, including construction and bankruptcy litigation. His work emphasizes helping businesses navigate disputes in both state and federal court.

Before joining Sheehan Phinney, Ryan clerked for two judges in New Hampshire, where he learned not only about legal practice but also government service. Ryan has also practiced law at firms in Boston and Washington D.C. Additionally, right after law school, Ryan worked in Washington D.C. as a policy analyst. His research focused primarily on the federal government’s authority to regulate local activity.

Ryan grew up in Dover, New Hampshire, where he graduated from Dover High School. He attended the University of New Hampshire and then the Boston University School of Law. Ryan lives in Lee, New Hampshire with his wife and two young children. When not working, he spends most of his time trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to keep up with his toddlers.

Class of ’22

caitlin little (she/they) is a multi-modal artist, curator, and culture cultivator based in Dover, NH.

little is co-founder of Petshop Gallery(Omaha,NE) and has spent the last decade creating artistic community and unique opportunities to support the arts in her hometown of Omaha, NE.

little is passionate about the essential function art plays in sustaining places economically and culturally and has successfully advocated for creative districts in Nebraska along with other incentives to support them. #payartists

With the arts at the forefront little challenges traditional ideas of essential needs and strives to create programs, narratives, and systems that create equity, opportunity and combat gatekeeping.
Leading by example, little has devoted much of their time to create change through action in volunteerism. Currently serving her second year as an Americorps VISTA as well as dedicating time to organizations like Omaha Girls Rock, the National TTT Society and Kent Bellows Studio for Visual Arts.

Leading by example, little has devoted much of their time to create change through action in volunteerism. Currently serving her second year as an Americorps VISTA as well as dedicating time to organizations like Omaha Girls Rock, the National TTT Society and Kent Bellows Studio for Visual Arts.

Focused on uplifting voices and collaborative resourcing, little has grand visions for creating a do-good community here in NH and is excited to spearhead a new multi-generational, cross-sector program to promote helping out and having fun through volunteerism called “Good Gang” which will debut as new Arts In Reach programming in 2022!

little was recognized in 2021 with the “Changemaker” award by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and is excited to bring a “little” positive change to the Seacoast!

Class of ’22

After a twelve-year career as a market research consultant working for Fortune 500 companies across the country, I decided to focus my visions back on the community I live in by helping others navigate the real estate market in NH & ME. I have been a Realtor in the Seacoast for 19 years and work with The Aland Realty Group. I strive to build relationships with my clients and exceed their expectations. In my eyes, “It’s about People Not Property” – if a client is happy with my services, they’ll be a client for life, not just one transaction.

My passion for Portsmouth started in 1996 when I moved to the area from Westchester County, NY. In Portsmouth I found the perfect community to ground myself and be connected to nature, history, and the arts.

I have a BA in Psychology from Miami University in Ohio and am an avid college football fan (Go Bucks!). I am on the Board of Trustees for The Music Hall, helping the organization with fundraising and corporate partnerships.

I live in Portsmouth with my husband Bob and our twins Mo and Shaye. As a family we believe in participating in local activities, supporting local businesses and helping the community to be a better place to live.

Class of ’22

Bianca Nicolosi is the Communication and Marketing Director for the Graduate School at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Within this position, Bianca is responsible for leading a cross-campus marketing team to elevate UNH’s 130+ graduate programs across three campuses and online. Her favorite part of working at UNH is being a part of a well-established and inclusive community that takes pride in their school, its students, and the education it provides.

A strong believer in community service, she’s documented veteran war stories, helped a local school district host community events, and works as station manager for local public access television station.

Bianca obtained her MBA specializing in information systems and business analytics from the University of New Hampshire. She also received dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from Ithaca College in journalism and Spanish. In her free time, Bianca enjoys spending time at the beach, sailing, kayaking, reading, and cooking.

Class of ’22

My name is Ian Oneail and I am the Branch Manager at First Seacoast Bank in Dover NH.

I was born and raised in the Seacoast of NH and have never strayed too far! I currently live in Raymond NH with my wife Megan, our two Australian Shepherds – Luna and Shady – our two cats – Kitty and Cassian – and the newest (and cutest) member of our family, Cullen Danger, our 1-year-old son!

I graduated from UNH with a BA in History, but quickly got into the financial industry after school. I spent over a decade in Banking, before starting my own Financial Planning firm right in Portsmouth. I ran my business for 3 years, before the news that Cullen was on his way, and then found myself back in banking at First Seacoast Bank (FSB). At FSB, we are committed to the communities that we are in, which aligns with my own personal beliefs; I love helping and being an active member of my community. I have joined the Dover Rotary Club, I am a Board Member of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, as well as an Ambassador for the Dover Chamber. Previously I have been an Ambassador for the Portsmouth Chamber, a Portsmouth Rotarian, and one of the founding members of the Portsmouth Chamber’s Connect & Collaborate networking group.

I am very excited to become a member of Leadership Seacoast and learn about other ways to make the Seacoast a better place to be.

Class of ’22

Devin Oot is the External Communications Specialist at WIN Waste Innovations. In her role, Devin leads efforts to strategically market WIN Waste Innovations’ services to potential customers and manages all communications with existing customers and communities that they serve.

Devin’s experience includes fundraising, communications, marketing, strategic planning, and community education. She was the Development Director at HAVEN—the largest violence prevention and support services agency in New Hampshire. She recently received their Life Changer Award for her accomplishments at the organization. Prior to that Devin was the Executive Director at the Partnership for Drug-Free NH, leading public health messaging across the state.

Devin is very active in the local community. She serves as the Board of Directors Vice-Chair for the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and is on the race committee for the Seacoast Half Marathon. There are few weekends where you won’t find Devin volunteering.

She is excited for the opportunity to become more connected to the community through Leadership Seacoast, especially as she shifts her career from non-profit to corporate and is always looking for more ways to get involved in our beautiful Seacoast area.

Devin is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, where she met her husband, Matt. They live in North Hampton with their Wheaten Terrier, Ruckus. Devin even started a side-business selling dog bandanas appropriately named Ruckus and Co Bandanas. You will often find Devin in her garden, mopeding to the beach, or running and biking to a new podcast.

Class of ’22

Ryan Pope is an Office Manager and at Cambridge Trust in Stratham, where he works with local businesses and community members to meet their financial needs and goals. Through his role at Cambridge Trust, he also serves as a member of the New Hampshire Bankers Association’s Legislative Committee, a non-partisan taskforce that works with elected officials at the state and national level to review legislation related to financial institutions and the greater business community. Ryan is also an avid volunteer and is deeply passionate about the impacts of housing security, availability, and affordability. He currently serves as the Vice Chair & Treasurer of Fair Tide, which seeks to end homelessness by sourcing homes and providing ongoing supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. More recently, he also joined the board of The Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast, which focuses primarily on community advocacy and education around the housing challenges faced by many seacoast residents and business owners.

Ryan is a New Hampshire native and lives in Hampton with his wife, Gina, and dog/daughter Harper. When he’s not working or volunteering, you may find him playing dodgeball, traveling, or enjoying the outdoors with his family.

Class of ’22

As Public Information Officer for Great Bay Community College for close to 15 years, Lisa works with college faculty, staff and stakeholders to develop and implement targeted marketing, media and communication strategies. In addition to strategic planning, Lisa directs advertising, branding, pr content and website development efforts. While at the College, she has worked to oversee a college re-brand, the marketing of a second campus, and an expansion of program offerings including degrees in advanced manufacturing and transfer pathway initiatives. Alongside key staff members and strategic agency partners, Lisa is committed to navigating the ever-changing landscape of both higher ed and marketing to promote the college as an invaluable resource to both businesses and the community.

Prior to her role at GBCC, Lisa held roles in marketing for a New England based development company and regional non-profit agencies. Earlier in her career, she served on boards of the Ritchie MacFarland Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters and is looking forward to the opportunity to explore volunteer efforts again.

She is a graduate of Saint Anselm College with a graduate certificate in marketing from SNHU and a growing list of digital marketing classes, webinars, workshops and conversations with very patient instructors. She currently lives in Dover.

Class of ’22

Karen is the Chief Communications Officer at Seacoast Science Center, a non-profit coastal and marine environmental education institution located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. Karen is grateful to work with a talented and dedicated team who shares her passion for the ocean and conservation of our natural world. Her 25-year tenure has afforded her the opportunity to see, first-hand, the positive impact Seacoast Science Center has had in the community and she is energized to continue to help make our community a better place for all.

Karen began her career as a graphic designer, with a fine arts degree from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She values creativity, and while she enjoys landscape painting and making just about anything from scratch, you will most likely find her enjoying outdoor activities in her free time. Karen is an avid coastal kayaker, a rookie sailor, and moderate hiker. Her greatest joy is spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Class of ’22

Devan Quinn (she/her) is the Director of Policy at the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, overseeing research, policy, and advocacy programs. With a background in non-profit advocacy, policy analysis, and political campaigns, Devan uses an intersectional feminist lens to grow leadership and support meaningful policy changes for people across the state.

Devan holds a B.A. from George Washington University, and a Master of Public Policy from Brandeis University. A proud New Hampshire native, Devan lives in Portsmouth, serves on the Peirce Island Committee, and is a crisis hotline volunteer and Development Committee member with HAVEN.

Class of ’22

My name is Adam Rembisz and I am currently the Director of Trauma Services at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

Healthcare is my passion in life. I started my career 17 years ago as an EMT which lead me to my undergraduate choice of Saint Michael’s College for a degree in biology, but more importantly to serve as a member of the busiest collegiate ambulance service in the country.

After my undergraduate degree, I enrolled in a Masters level nursing program at the University of New Hampshire which then allowed me to begin my nursing career in the emergency department. I quickly became involved in different committees at the hospital and started to take on some leadership positions. In 2015 when the opportunity to become the manager of the trauma program presented itself, I applied immediately. Helping to lead the Elliot Trauma Program was very rewarding. I was able to guide the hospital from a state verified to a nationally verified facility. During this time I also started my MBA from Rivier University and finished in the summer of 2020.

With looking for continued growth in my career, the opportunity to elevate my practice came when a director level position opened at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

When not working I love to spend time with my wife Nicole and three kids, Emma, Maxwell and Henry. I also enjoy golfing, boating, hiking, and cooking.

Class of ’22

Frank Robinson Jr. joined Green Acre Baha’i School as Operations Manager in September of 2018. Frank has worked in special education, elementary and middle schools, grass roots arts development, film production and multimedia management. He has traveled to collaborate with socioeconomic development projects in South America, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Barbados, and Switzerland.

Frank’s educational career began with I Have a Dream (IHAD) in Hartford, CT followed by three years at Garcia Elementary School in Houston, Texas under the auspices of Teach for America. Frank knew, from this foundational experience, that the empowerment of children would play a part in his life whether or not he was working in the classroom.

From 1996 – 2004 he worked in the creation of documentaries with SIDCORP under the auspices of the Baha’i National Community. Among the titles he worked with are The Power of Race Unity, Service to Humanity and the Power of Prayer. While honing his film editing and storytelling craft, Frank became keenly aware of the direct correlation of individual aspiration and societal advancement.

From 2006 -2018 Frank worked at LIMRA in Hartford, CT as Multimedia Marketing Manager. Video production, training and education design, as well as conference management comprised the role.

Currently, as Operations Manager, is responsible for the day to day running of the facility and has found coherence bringing his talents to Green Acre’s outreach efforts in art, empowerment of children and youth, social action, and exploring the nobility of all of humanity.

Class of ’22

I arrived three years ago to the Seacoast from Brooklyn, New York; where I worked as a freelance director for many years in film, theatre and opera. My work took me to many different states – from New York to Honolulu.

Passionate about engaging and mentoring emerging artists, I was a teaching artist within the NY and NJ Public school system and a guest director at numerous universities.

For the past ten years, I’ve focused on nonprofit arts management with a background in community engagement, volunteer management and public programming. Pre-Covid, I was the Volunteer Coordinator at The Music Hall. I received an MFA in directing from the Moscow Art Theatre and a certificate in film production from NYU.

Currently, I am on the Arts & Culture task force for the Portsmouth 400th celebration and I am helping coordinate the city of Portsmouth’s participation in Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study.

Class of ’22

I was born and raised in Littleton, NH. Littleton is the home of Eleanor Porter, the author of Pollyanna, and is just north of the former Old Man of the Mountain. I have been in the Financial Services Industry for ten years. I began my career in mortgages and worked my way through various positions in retail banking. Currently, I am a Merchant Services Officer for Bangor Savings Bank, where I assist businesses by developing solutions tailored to their everyday needs by creating a complete payment solution. I am also an avid networker with ties to all of the Seacoast area Chambers of Commerce.

One of the things that I love about working for Bangor Savings Bank is that employees are encouraged to meaningfully engage and give back to the communities where we work. Helping to provide a You Matter More experience to my community members and clients is one of the best parts of my job. Coming from a small town, I enjoy the increased opportunities for networking that the Seacoast provides. You can often find me popping into local small businesses to say hi; I feel fortunate to work in a community with many small businesses that add so much value to our local communities.

When not at work, I enjoy weekends at home in Berwick, Maine spending time with my wife Regyn and our two dogs, Moxie and Boomer.

Class of ’22

Markus hails from Portland (the other one) but has fully embraced New England life after moving to his wife’s hometown of Portsmouth, New Hampshire in August 2020. He has also lived in a variety of spots around the globe including NYC, Madison (WI), Peru and most recently, The Netherlands. While he still enjoys traveling, he has found a home in Portsmouth.

Markus started out his professional career in healthcare IT, helping hospitals implement electronic medical records across the country – a clear use case for his Political Science and Spanish degree from the University of Oregon. Currently, Markus works for Accenture, a global consulting company, helping develop, manage, and enable sales programs and processes.

In his spare time, Markus enjoys traveling with his wife, mostly in Europe as she still resides in The Netherlands. He also is very passionate about all things Mexico, a country he fell in love with during a study abroad program. He continues to visit his adopted family in Central Mexico. He also relishes going for long walks, listening to the blues, watching soccer and tennis, and reading history books. Finally, Markus is passionate about immigrant and refugee support and is looking forward to finding more opportunities to get involved on this front in the Seacoast.

Class of ’22

Melissa Spil is Chief Advancement Officer at Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC), a non-profit that serves individuals and families in Strafford County. CAPSC offers an array of programs and services, including fuel and electric assistance, rental assistance, transportation, housing and homeless prevention services, early childhood education, food and nutrition services, and more. Melissa oversees fundraising, marketing, and communications for CAPSC and has a passion for data and storytelling.

Melissa has a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor’s in Spanish and International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2020, Melissa moved from North Carolina to Dover, NH and is an avid North Carolina sports fan, including the North Carolina Tar Heels, Carolina Panthers, and Charlotte Hornets. Melissa is looking forward to Leadership Seacoast as a way to connect with others in the community and to get more involved.

Class of ’22

Jennifer “J.L.: Stevens is a native of New Hampshire who spent about 20 years writing about (and editing) the Seacoast arts and entertainment scene for Foster’s Daily Democrat and Seacoast Media Group (now under the same parent company). She’s still thrilled at visiting area painters, jewelers and craftsmen in the Button Factory every year though seeing printouts of news stories on the wall has given way to TikToks on her iPhone… somehow the excitement is still there. Thank goodness.

Jennifer is also a member of the Board of Directors of My Friend’s Place, which provides a home like emergency shelter and transitional housing for the homeless, located in the Garrison City. There she serves alongside fellow former journalists, lawyers, a judge and a very inspiring executive director who worked her way up from shelter resident.

Since 2018, Jennifer has found a home for her communications and events skills at the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth–AKa the Portsmouth Chamber–where she is thrilled to discover an environment that welcomes business sense, creative talents, as well as fun and continuing education. Part of that is the encouragement to pursue the opportunities that Leadership Seacoast provides. She (me/I) cannot wait to meet everyone.

Class of ’22

Katherine Taveras is a Loan Processor at Piscataqua Savings Bank, where Katherine processes loan applications from start to finish, and assist clients with varies inquiries regarding different financing options. Previously, Katherine spent several years working as a Cad designer and customer service rep for several financial institutions.

Born in Queens, NY Katherine’s parents migrated from the Dominican Republic to be able to find better opportunities they would not have had on the island. Growing up in Queens, Katherine attended the Christa McAuliffe school and felt deeply connected to her. She would eventually follow her spirit, graduating from Framingham State University and in time moving to New Hampshire.

In her free time Katherine enjoys drawing, horseback riding, and strolling around at the beach.