Regional Updates
Cheshire County Proclaims October 21, 2026 Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day
Cheshire County Proclaims October 21, 2026 Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day
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The Cheshire County Board of Commissioners presented the Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce (GMC) with an official proclamation on October 21, 2026, recognizing Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day.
Signed by Commissioners Terry Clark, Claudia Stewart, and Skipper DiBernardo, the proclamation acknowledges the role chambers of commerce play in supporting economic prosperity, enhancing quality of life, connecting businesses and communities, and addressing shared challenges. It encourages Cheshire County residents to learn more about their local chamber and its impact, and to support local businesses.
The proclamation also recognizes GMC’s history, building on the longstanding Keene Chamber of Commerce and its subsequent merger with the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce in early 2021. The organization became the Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce in March 2023, serving businesses and communities throughout Cheshire County and the greater Monadnock Region.
GMC represents more than 450 member organizations with over 16,000 employees. Its work includes business advocacy, networking, leadership development, workforce attraction, and regional promotion.
With federal and state grant support, GMC has invested more than $700,000 in recent years to promote the Monadnock Region as a place to visit, live, work, and do business. This work includes a $240,000 workforce campaign developed with regional employers to connect job seekers with manufacturing opportunities and career pathways at Keene State College.
GMC connects the regional business community through more than 40 events annually, bringing together over 1,200 attendees, and through its nine-month Leadership Monadnock program, which has developed a network of more than 500 alumni since 1996. Alongside this work in networking and leadership development, GMC advocates for the business community on issues including workforce development, housing, higher education, tourism, and small business growth.
In recognition of Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, GMC is inviting members to share how chamber involvement has supported their businesses, organizations, and professional development. Information about the observance, GMC’s 2025-2026 Impact Report, and resources for participating are available at: greatermonadnock.com/2026/10/20/october-21-support-your-local-chamber-of-commerce-day/
GMC Announces the Leadership Monadnock Class of 2027
GMC Announces the Leadership Monadnock Class of 2027
October 13, 2026
Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the Leadership Monadnock Class of 2027 presented by Savings Bank of Walpole. For the next nine months, these 32 community leaders will devote one day each month to immersive learning, civic engagement, and community building that connects and empowers changemakers across the Monadnock Region.
This year’s class includes professionals from a wide spectrum of industries, each committed to fostering community engagement, inclusive leadership, and creating lasting impact within their communities across the Monadnock Region:
· Alex Hibbard Head of Account Strategy for Freitag Marketing
· Amanda Chisolm Development and Outreach Coordinator for Keene Housing Kids Collaborative
· Amanda Cocivera President for Keene Young Professionals Network
· Ashley Hall Financial Advisor for Edward Jones
· Ashley Okola Shelter Manager for Monadnock Humane Society
· Caitlin Blakeslee Front Office Supervisor for Monadnock Community Hospital
· Christy Keefe Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for Peterborough Players
· Clay Dennie Maintenance Aide II for Keene Housing
· Dan Petrone Real Estate Salesperson for eXp Realty/Petrone Real Estate
· Dee Fitzgerald Executive Communications Manager for W.S. Badger Company
· Don Tilley Plant Operations Manager for Corning Inc., Keene
· Erin Allgood Founder/Principal Consultant for Allgood Strategies, LLC
· Jess Sigafose Relationship Banker for M&T Bank
· Jessica Johansson Director of Marketing & Communications for Greater Monadnock Collaborative
· Julia Miramontes Branch Services Manager for Savings Bank of Walpole
· Julia Morgan Director of Planning and Development for Keene Housing
· Justina Patrick Owner of Kona Ice of the Monadnock Region
· Kaitlyn Gonzales Medical Forensic Care Manager for Cheshire Medical Center
· Kate Wasserloos Director of Human Resources for RiverMead
· Kathleen Lamendola Housing Program Manager/Property Management for Southwestern Community Services
· Kim Farris Director of Inpatient Services for Cheshire Medical Center
· Kim Rumrill Executive Director of The Hub 50+ (Keene Senior Center)
· Lisa Bergmann Commercial Lines Segment Leader for Clark-Mortenson/Hilb Group of New England, LLC
· Liz Newcombe Financial Planner for Chartered Financial Services
· Maggie Graul Population Health Epidemiologist and Evaluator for Cheshire Medical Center
· Megan Hillock Director of Voucher Programs for Keene Housing
· Megan Whittle Annual Fund and Membership Manager for The Colonial Theatre
· Nick Phillips Superintendent for Cheshire County Department of Corrections
· Nicole Howe Benefits Administrator for City of Keene
· Ryan Cooley Airport Director for City of Keene - Dillant Hopkins Airport
· Stacey Nachajski Director of Marketing for Bensonwood
· Talee Messenger Public Relations and Community Liaison for Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services
“We are excited for these community leaders to meet, get to know each other, learn together, and to collaborate in a variety of meaningful ways going forward. Their energy, commitment, and innovation are exactly what our communities need as we work toward an even stronger future for the Monadnock Region,” said Michelle DellaVita, Director of Leadership Monadnock for Greater Monadnock Collaborative. “We are deeply grateful to each of the organizations investing in their employees’ active participation, as well as the local experts serving as session presenters, and to our sponsors for their support and partnership: Savings Bank of Walpole, Eversource, Mascoma Bank, Cheshire County, Freitag Marketing, Franklin Pierce University, Monadnock Ford, and RiverMead.”
Throughout the program year, participants will engage in experiential learning, collaborative conversations, engaging presentations, and deep dives into critical topics such as economic development, community building, government, mental health, and education.
The Leadership Monadnock network includes over 500 graduates, many of whom have gone on to take on influential roles in municipalities, nonprofits, education, and business—amplifying the ripple effect of this transformative program.
About Leadership Monadnock
Started in 1996, Leadership Monadnock is an intensive nine-month community leadership program, held one day a month, October through June. Each session is designed to immerse participants in the truly critical aspects that drive the dynamic nature of the regional economy and quality of life. Each session is structured to present multiple aspects of a topic through a combination of presentations by experienced professionals and subject matter experts, group discussions, and other experiences. Participants have access to other community leaders who are experts in their respective fields including business, government, education, nonprofits, social services, the arts, and other organizations throughout the region.
For more information about Leadership Monadnock, the Leadership Monadnock Alumni Network, or to sign up to receive notifications on how to apply for the next cohort, visit greatermonadnock.com/leadership-monadnock/or contact Michelle DellaVita at michelle@greatermonadnock.com.
Julie’s Recent Op-Ed: Keene State College is vital to the future of the region
Julie’s Recent Op-Ed: Keene State College is vital to the future of the region
Keene State College is an incredibly important part of the Monadnock Region. It is an educational institution, an employer, an economic driver, and a place that brings young people into our community.
In a recent op-ed in The Keene Sentinel, GMC President & CEO Julie Schoelzel reflects on just how closely Keene State and the Monadnock Region are connected. She also highlights a few examples of the many ways Keene State students and graduates are already making an impact here.
At a time when employers across the Monadnock Region are thinking about their workforce needs, there is so much opportunity in the connections between our college, our businesses, our students, and our broader community. Keene State gives us so much to be optimistic about as we look to the future of our region.
Participate in Local Job Fairs for Students
Participate in Local Job Fairs for Students
March 13, 2026
Want to meet your future employees?
Several local high schools are hosting upcoming job fairs, and this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your company to students who are just beginning to explore career possibilities.
Even if you’re not actively hiring, it’s still a good idea to participate. When students meet local employers, learn about different industries, and hear about real career paths in the Monadnock Region, it helps them see that they don’t have to leave the area to build a meaningful career. A quick conversation today could turn into a summer intern, a future employee, or a young professional who decides to build their life right here. And best of all, students ask great questions!
Take a look at the upcoming job fairs below and consider signing up!
Keene High School:
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 8:30 – 11:30 AM: Businesses wishing to participate must fill out this brief information survey
There will also be an outdoor area that is available to set up vehicles, apparatus, or outdoor activities.
ConVal:
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 1:30 – 5:30 PM (with a 40-minute break while the busses leave – Wi-Fi will be available)
Businesses wishing to participate can fill out this form:
Fall Mountain Regional High School Career Fair:
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
To reserve a space, please email School Counselor Kim Chandler at kchandler@sau60.org by April 24, 2026.