Taylor Barry
Student at UNH
Taylor Barry (she/her) just completed her freshman year at the University of New Hampshire where she is pursuing a major in Community and Environmental Planning with a Sustainability dual major. On campus, she is involved with the Sustainability Institute, Hamel Scholars, and New Hampshire Youth Movement. Taylor set upon this path after several years of engagement with 350NH and the Nashua Energy and Environment Committee. These experiences have fueled her passion for climate justice and youth engagement in climate action.
Sam Evans-Brown
Executive Director, Clean Energy New Hampshire
Sam leads Clean Energy New Hampshire in its effort to create a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy system in the Granite State. Sam grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Prior to joining Clean Energy New Hampshire in 2021 he was a radio journalist with New Hampshire Public Radio for nearly ten years, during which time he was the founding host of one of the station's first podcasts, Outside/In, and answered listeners environmental questions every other Friday on the Ask Sam segment. He wrote stories about New England energy issues extensively and won several regional and national awards. He's an excellent bike mechanic, a certified Spanish medical interpreter, and a father of two. Sam graduated with a B.A. from Bates College in Politics and Spanish in 2009.
Sara Conklin
Experience Strategist and Behavior Designer, Acceladopt Green
Sara Conklin is a human-centered leader bringing creative innovation practices to socially-conscious organizations. She facilitates outcome-focused activities that help teams operate with empathy, incorporate creativity, and energetically proceed through ambiguity. She recently led a 7-time-award-winning human centricity program across 4,000 employees, shifting organizational culture from technology-centric to human-centric. Her work was credited with $180M annual revenue as well as increased customer satisfaction and employee engagement. Sara is also a trusted strategy and innovation leader who creates irresistible product experiences. She brings two decades of experience increasing and accelerating adoption of products, services, and technologies worth $billions. She’s a master at uncovering the human context of new technology introduction, illuminating cultural, social, emotional, and functional friction against adoption, and eliminating the friction through world-class experience strategy and design. As a champion for humans' ability to thrive on our one and only planet, Sara now applies her superpowers to climate and sustainability at Acceladopt Green.
Erik Drake
CEO, Coast of Maine
Erik Drake has spent the past 20 years of his career helping to drive the fast expansion and evolution of category leading organic companies. As the CEO of Coast of Maine, Erik is helping grow Coast of Maine’s distribution, marketing and sales of their organic and natural soils, mulches, fertilizers and amendments. Prior to joining Coast of Maine, Erik was the CEO and COO of Pete and Gerry’s Organics, the #1 organic egg brand and #2 branded egg company in the US, where he broadened its distribution and sales with a specific focus on strengthening the company’s operational efficiency and commercial strategy, capabilities and scope and led the team through a successful sale to Butterfly Equity. Previously, Erik was the Executive Vice President for Late July Organic Snacks where he managed all functions of the company reporting directly to the founders as they expanded nationally and grew 400% over 4 years. His experience in the organic food industry began at Stonyfield Organic. Through a series of leadership positions, he was instrumental in accelerating the company from an entrepreneurial niche brand into a national organic food leader with aggressive sales and share growth over 10 years to become one of the largest organic food brands in the US.
Amanda Elkin
Senior Consultant, Sustainserv
Seasoned communications professional with extensive experience working with businesses, nonprofits, and consulting firms to translate communication and marketing needs into publications and programs that enhance their visibility, engage stakeholders, and further their mission. I offer a unique, cross-sector perspective on communications, with an educational and professional background that spans writing and publishing, environmental science and sustainability, housing and homelessness, and business and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Matthew Gardner
Managing Partner, Sustainserv
Matthew Gardner combines his background in chemistry and environmental science with a practical approach to sustainability strategy development, precise measurement of sustainability impacts and state-of-the-art sustainability communication. He brings a multidisciplinary approach to his work that unites technical, quantitative expertise with a commitment to clarity and pragmatism. Matthew holds a PhD in chemistry, spent 10 years on the staff of MIT and teaches sustainability strategy and entrepreneurship at the Harvard University Extension School.
Mike Glinski
Regulatory Affairs Manager, Twin Rivers Technologies
Michael Glinski has extensive experience in regulatory affairs and environmental management, currently serving as the Regulatory Affairs Manager at Twin Rivers Technologies since 1997. In this role, Michael leads various regulatory programs encompassing environmental management, health and safety, process safety, emergency response, security, and sustainability, while overseeing data collection and reporting. Prior to this, Michael held positions as EHS Manager at L. E. Mason Inc., Assistant Project Manager at Riley Stoker Corp, Environmental Engineer/Planner at the City of New Bedford, and Permitting Agent at Ayoub Engineering. Michael's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science/Planning from the University of Utah and certifications in Occupational Health and Environmental Management from Northeastern University.
Loreley Godfrey
Student at Wellesley College
Loreley Godfrey is a rising junior at Wellesley College, where she is majoring in Economics. In high school, she founded and served as Policy Director for the youth-led non-profit, Seacoast Students for Sustainability, Inc. In this role, she wrote testimony for and spoke on countless bills. She developed and instructed a composting curriculum in local schools to address students' lack of composting education. She organized the 2021 Portsmouth Youth Climate Strike, the 2022 Earth Day Rally, and the 2023 Earth Day Rally. She also served on the City of Portsmouth's Sustainable Practices Committee, where she advocated for a Climate Action Plan (CAP). Loreley is passionate about community-building for environmental progress.
Finn Graff
Student at UNH
Finn Graff is currently a Sophomore at the University of New Hampshire, working on a degree in Biology with his focus on Data Analysis and Conservation Biology. Finn was inspired by this childhood in a rural community in Southern New Hampshire to be an advocate for the environment throughout high school; organizing recycling efforts at his school, helping form a student non-profit focused on sustainability, and working with state senators to promote relevant legislation. These days, in addition to his coursework, Finn continues to promote his love of nature as a frequent participant in local politics and as a leader in the New Hampshire Outing Club, where he provides his peers at UNH with positive, safe experiences in the outdoors. He hopes to use his degree in pursuit of a career where he can foster his understanding of life sciences and contribute to global conservation efforts, protecting the wilderness he loves.
Heather Gunnell
The Culture Champion | Aligning people & business strategies | Executive Coaching and Consulting, LumenusWorks
Heather Gunnell believes when you take care of people, business thrives. She is a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant deeply committed to the principle that thriving businesses are built on strong, empowered teams. With over two decades of leadership experience across diverse sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. Heather uses a collaborative, strength-based approach to problem-solving that focuses on what is possible. She is known for cutting through the noise and providing insight that guides others into how seemingly unrelated issues are connected and impact business objectives. Heather’s strength-based approach breaks down the barriers that separate people. She makes it easier for individuals to work together. She opens and deepens minds by encouraging openness and respectful dialogue. She champions creating safe spaces and driving a culture of justice. The value and belief she places in people, guides and influences everything she does.
Gerardo Gauthier-Zayas, Ed.D.
Founder and President, Avant Consulting and Training LLC
Dr. Gerardo Gauthier-Zayas has dedicated his career to creating business strategies for more than twenty years. He mentors and sponsors individuals and organizations to conceptualize, launch, and sustain calling-in processes and quality service delivery models in healthcare, government programs, higher education, and other nonprofit sectors. Throughout his career, he has performed program reviews, strategic planning, and leadership coaching based on a systemic equity infrastructure model deeply rooted in principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. His approach to creating this framework emphasizes collaboration, which includes active listening, learning, questioning, and valuing differences. Dr. Gauthier-Zayas is proud to create curricula and feels privileged to instruct courses on leadership, nonprofit management, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice, and social policy throughout associate, bachelor’s, and master's programs in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, a Master of Business Administration focusing on healthcare administration from
Amy Labelle
Winemaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker | LaBelle Winery
Amy LaBelle has emerged as a prominent figure in the wine industry and a respected entrepreneur. Her journey began in the corporate world, where she worked as an attorney. Amy earned a degree in English and Marketing from Western New England University, followed by a law degree from Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law. From 1998 to 2000, she worked as an attorney at Hutchins Wheeler and Dittmar, later joining Fidelity Investments as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel from 2001 to 2012. In 2005, inspired by a visit to a small winery in Nova Scotia, Amy founded LaBelle Winery. She began by creating her first batch of blueberry wine in her Boston apartment. What started as a small operation has grown into a thriving enterprise with two locations in New Hampshire. The flagship location in Amherst opened in 2012, and a location in Derry in 2020. Today, LaBelle Winery is known for its award-winning wines and has played a significant role in putting New England on the wine map.
Debra LeClair
Psy.D. Psychologist & Executive Coach, Full Spectrum Wellness and re-Sourced
Debra LeClair Psy.D. Psychologist & Executive Coach, Full Spectrum Wellness. With a strong background in behavior change, leadership development, stress management and brain science, Dr. Debra LeClair utilizes a multidimensional approach in working with clients to move through obstacles in meeting career and personal aspirations. She also consults and trains in corporations, non-profit agencies and public schools to implement positive cultural change, improve interpersonal communication and enhance talent retention and management. Debra holds Masters degrees in both Clinical and Applied Psychology and earned her Doctorate in Applied Psychology from Rutgers University in 1998. She is a Certified Life Coach and Peoplemap Trainer™ as well as a trained executive coach. In 2010, Debra completed a practicum at The Center for Mindfulness at UMASS Medical School to become a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor and has been able to adapt the program to onsite work settings.
Jenny Levy
Executive Vice President, People, Community & Environment at Hypertherm, Inc.
Jenny Levy is the Executive Vice President, People, Community & Environment at Hypertherm, Inc. in Hanover, NH. Hypertherm is an Associate-owned company that designs and manufactures the world's most advanced plasma cutting systems for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Their vision and culture include a real focus on corporate responsibility. Hypertherm believes every company has an obligation to care for the community in which it does business. They have been recognized for their corporate social responsibility with the 2009 Cornerstone Award, and were inducted into the Cornerstone Hall of Fame in 2013. Hypertherm has also been recognized as one of the top five Best Large Companies to Work For in New Hampshire for many years in row and have been included in the Best Companies to Work For Hall of Fame twice. Jenny received her bachelor's degree with honors from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She also serves on the Board of the Friends of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth and volunteers in the local schools and with other local organizations such as COVER Home Repair and the United Way.
James McKim
Founder and Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition
James McKim is Founder and Managing Partner of Organizational Ignition, a Management Consulting practice. He is a sought-after organizational performance speaker, coach, change manager, and author of the best-selling book The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance. Over his 35+ year career, he has helped small and large organizations, for-profit and non-profit, spark efficiency and growth through the aligning of people, process, and technology. Mr. McKim is known internationally for his current focus on organizational and individual performance through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He is recognized by industry watchers such as Atd, Brandon Hall, Bersin Associates, Axelos, and PMI for his dedication to creating win-win situations between organizations and their employees. In addition to founding 2 companies, he has held senior leadership roles at or worked with organizations such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fidelity, Dartmouth Hitchcock, and the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education in defining and executing strategic plans with an eye toward organizational performance. As the Chair of the Episcopal Church’s National Executive Council Committee Anti-Racism & Reconciliation, Mr. McKim was the principal writer of the church's guidelines on anti-racism and reconciliation. As President of the Manchester Branch of the NAACP, he works regularly with governments and businesses to eliminate discrimination. He is a frequent conference presenter, a guest on radio and television shows, serves as Chair of the Finance Committee of the NH PBS Board of Directors, and delights in being the vocalist for the jazz band The Episcocats.
Lex Meagher
President & CEO, Kennebunk Savings Bank
Meagher joined the bank in 2011 after receiving his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and clerking for the Maine Superior Court and Supreme Court. The culture at Kennebunk Savings made an immediate and strong impression on him. “Working with a team of genuine and helpful people committed to each other and their community—what else would you want?” Meagher said. In 2019, Meagher moved from his role as a legal adviser as General Counsel to a role as a decision maker as Senior Commercial Credit Officer. “Lex has a thoughtful, attentive, and personable approach that people immediately respond to – both customers and fellow employees,” said Bradford C. Paige, the Bank’s President and CEO. “He has been an asset to this company for a long time, and I am pleased to have him join the Executive Management team.” The ability to assist members of the local business community in his current role is very meaningful to Meagher. “As the Senior Commercial Credit Officer, I work to shape the direction and operation of commercial lending – which unlocks so many opportunities for people in the business community,” he said. “I can so clearly see the tangible benefit of our day-to-day work.”
Susan Mercer
Former Director of UX Research, Viator
Susan Mercer has over 30 years of expertise in digital technology. Her career has spanned UI development and design, web production, product manager and UX research and management. She has focused on conducting and leading User Research teams for the last ten years. Her current passions include scaling quality research within an organization and empowering her team to become user advocates and leaders at all levels of the organization. Susan has her MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley University and taught as an Adjunct Professor in that program for the last six years. She was most recently the Director of User Research at Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Lucas Meyer
Principal, Catalyst Advocacy
Lucas S. Meyer brings a deep and diverse background in advocacy and electoral work, having led several high-impact campaigns and coalitions in New Hampshire. His experience includes managing multiple successful state level campaigns and Congressman Chris Pappas’s historic 2020 reelection and helping lead the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights/Fair Maps Coalition since 2018. He has worked as a public, political, and government affairs consultant for one of North America's largest energy companies, national advocacy groups, tech startups and more, as well as an advocacy advisor for leading non-profits in the state, including NHBSR. In his free time, he serves as Board Chair of 603 Forward, a nonprofit he co-founded to engage and elevate the next generation of New Hampshire leaders. He serves on the NH Advisory Board for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and is an alum of Leadership New Hampshire, and coaches high school lacrosse.
Justin Munroe
Director of Community & Environmental Projects, Grow Nashua
Justin Munroe is a fourth generation Nashua native whose great grandparents moved here about 110 years ago and they’ve called it home since. His love for people and how we are all interconnect has laid the foundation for Grow Nashua’s deep community building focus. He has spent 10 years working side by side with his hands in the soil with families in community gardens, teaching in the schools, passing out thousands of pounds of free veggies, and advocating for our most vulnerable neighbors. Through engaging in conversations and caring about neighbors Justin and his team have built a critical mass of connection with over 5,000 neighbors. This has spurred the launch of their newest program “The Neighbor Hubs” These Hubs offer spaces that foster inclusive and generative dialogue, truth seeking, and action toward the common good. If you live in Nashua please reach out justin@grownashua.org to come along for the ride, give your input, gather together with us, and be a part of something special!
Nate Newman
Associate Consultant, Sustainserv
Justin Munroe is a fourth generation Nashua native whose great grandparents moved here about 110 years ago and they’ve called it home since. His love for people and how we are all interconnect has laid the foundation for Grow Nashua’s deep community building focus. He has spent 10 years working side by side with his hands in the soil with families in community gardens, teaching in the schools, passing out thousands of pounds of free veggies, and advocating for our most vulnerable neighbors. Through engaging in conversations and caring about neighbors Justin and his team have built a critical mass of connection with over 5,000 neighbors. This has spurred the launch of their newest program “The Neighbor Hubs” These Hubs offer spaces that foster inclusive and generative dialogue, truth seeking, and action toward the common good. If you live in Nashua please reach out justin@grownashua.org to come along for the ride, give your input, gather together with us, and be a part of something special!
View Full BioMarie Repucci
Senior Account & Marketing Manager, Market Street Talent
Marie is a Senior Account and Marketing Manager passionate about combining business development, account management, and marketing strategy to achieve impactful results. She thrives on building strong client relationships, enhancing brand visibility, and driving business growth. What she loves most about her role is creating connections that help professionals advance their careers while empowering clients to achieve their goals.
Megan Struthers
Senior Account Executive, Market Street Talent
Megan Struthers is a Senior Account Executive. She works on full-cycle business development with a focus on engaging with prospective clients, identifying solutions, and translating positive relationships into workable job requirements. Megan works on account/relationship management with existing clients too! She has been at Market Street Talent since November 2019—the best career decision she said she has ever made. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, getting tattoos, and being lakeside. Megan lives in Dover, NH, with her husband, son Flynn, and three fur babies.
Beth Tener
Kinship
Beth Tener works with social change leaders in businesses, non-profits, and communities, helping them sense what is changing and find ways to take action aligned with their values. Her passion is to bring people together in ways that unlock and ignite personal, group, and community potential. As a strategy consultant and facilitator with New Directions Collaborative, based in Portsmouth, NH, she has worked with over 200 organizations and collaborative networks, working on issues such as climate change, racial justice, and local food systems. As a facilitator, she is skilled in designing interactive processes to access the diverse ideas of a group and generate alignment around the wise and strategic path forward. Beth worked with NHBSR to help curate and facilitate the NH Workplace Racial Equity Challenge, which explored how we shift from historical patterns of oppression to participation, belonging, and equity, where each person has opportunities to grow and flourish. She recently launched a new initiative called Kinship: a hub to amplify the power of community. Here, experienced community builders and social change leaders can connect and get peer support, mentoring, and learn together. The vision is to grow a healthy collaborative web across organizations and sectors in Seacoast NH, seeding new ideas and initiatives, and a culture of solidarity and mutual support that generates ripple effects. Through Kinship, Beth offers small groups, gatherings, workshops, and coaching. Beth was on the faculty in the MBA program at Marlboro College, and taught courses on systems thinking and leadership skills for complex problem solving. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Bates College and a M.S. in Environmental Technology from Imperial College in London. She also has a Permaculture Design Certificate (principles of ecological whole-systems design.)
David Wagner
Founder and Principal Strategist, Clear Mission Consulting
David founded Clear Mission Consulting with the conviction that the right combination of strategy and leadership could help mission-driven organizations change the world for good. His belief is rooted in over 15 years of experience helping dozens of nonprofit and government agencies to amplify their mission impact through effective strategic planning and execution, including 10+ years of first-hand leadership experience. David’s specialty is combining facilitated planning with hands-on leadership coaching to help nonprofits put their strategies into action. He emphasizes people-first approaches that foster commitment and creating lasting mission impact.
Latonya Wallace
Director Community Relations, Community Loan Fund | Chair of the Business Alliance for People of Color
Chances are good, you’ve met her. In her role as Director of Community Relations at the NH Community Loan Fund she is a powerhouse of positive outlook, mentorship, and grace behind a smile. She's a multi-tasker focused on finding solutions to business and community challenges. Coming from 20 years in banking –15 in leadership roles serving and empowering the underserved—Latonya is a true force for good. Serving on multiple boards and a 2020 graduate of Leadership Seacoast. She’s a 2021 recipient of the NH Women’s Foundation AmplifiHer award. 2023 winner of the BLM Seacoast Community Impact Leader and 2023 Outstanding Women in Business winner. She was one of the founders and serves as Vice Chair for the Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC). In addition, in 2019, Latonya founded Purseverance, a nonprofit where she has distributed over 900 purses with items to assist women in need. Plus: Latonya is most recently the winner of the Portsmouth Chamber 2023 Collaborator of the Year Award. A silent force: living through the eyes of compassion.