Posts Tagged ‘chamber news’
GMC Celebrates the Graduating Leadership Monadnock Class of 2026
GMC Celebrates the Graduating Leadership Monadnock Class of 2026
June 11, 2026
We are thrilled to announce the graduation of an outstanding group of local community leaders from Leadership Monadnock Class of 2026. These individuals have successfully completed an immersive, nine-month-long journey of experiential learning, civic engagement, and community-building designed to connect and empower change-makers across the Monadnock Region.
This year’s graduating 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:
- Debra LeClair, PsyD, Executive Coach & Psychologist for re-Sourced
- Erin Beaudry, Individual Giving Officer for Kurn Hattin Home and School for Children
- Gabrielle Libby, Project Manager, National Project Management Office for C&S Wholesale Grocers
- Gina De Santis, Executive Director for Stonewall Farm
- Greg Seymour, Deputy Chief of Fire Department Operations for City of Keene
- Heather Scheck, Regional Vice President & Branch Manager at West Street - Keene, Winchester, and Rindge Branches for Savings Bank of Walpole
- Heidi Schwieger, Director of Development for MoCo Arts
- Jess Barbarow, Director of Critical Care and Emergency Services for Cheshire Medical Center
- Jessie Carpenter, Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams Metropolitan Keene
- Jocelyn Goldblatt, Executive Director for Cheshire Children's Museum
- Joe Axne, Manager Regional Operations, Western Region for Eversource
- Judy Hoffman, Supervisor of the Keene Academic Center for River Valley Community College
- Kate Blaha, Marketing, Culture & Events Specialist for The Richards Group, an IMA Company in Keene
- Max Beebe, Development Liaison for Hinsdale Economic Development Corporation, Owner of O'Mega Images LLC, Co-Owner of ByteWise Digital, and REALTOR® Associate with Greenwald Realty Group
- Michelle Walker, Director of Education for Historical Society of Cheshire County
- Miranda Stevens, Assistant Branch Manager for Service Credit Union
- Paul Andrus, Director of Community Development for City of Keene
- Peter Carvell, Senior Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer for Savings Bank of Walpole
- Sara Lang, Senior Philanthropy Advisor for New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
- Sara Powell, Program Director for The Hannah Grimes Center
- Sarah Croteau, Agency Fiscal Director for Southwestern Community Services
- Sareen Sarna, Senior Director of Growth and Development for Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services
- Scott Arlen, Maintenance Supervisor for Keene Housing
- Scott Brown, Branch Manager III Officer for Mascoma Bank
- Scott Symonds, Chief Excecutive Officer for SMART Ride LLC
- Scout Mercer, Youth Services Librarian II for Keene Public Library
- Seamus Batdorf-Dwyer, Certified Recovery Support Worker for Cheshire County Treatment Court
- Shane Moynihan, REALTOR® for Shane Moynihan Realty LLC (Realty One Group Next Level) and local multifamily investor
- Stephanie Latini, Internship and Business Outreach Manager for Monadnock United Way
- Sudesh Joshi-Chhibbar, Director of Surgical Services & Birthing Suites for Monadnock Community Hospital
“We are thrilled to celebrate these accomplished community leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. Their energy, collaboration, 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 grateful for each of the organizations that invested in their employees’ active participation, as well as to our sponsors, Eversource, Mascoma Bank, Freitag Marketing, Keene Young Professionals Network, Savings Bank of Walpole, and Monadnock Ford.”
Throughout the program, participants engaged 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 alumni network now 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
Leadership Monadnock is an intensive nine-month community leadership program, held 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 or to sign up to receive notifications on when to apply for our next cohort, visit greatermonadnock.com/leadership-monadnock/or contact Michelle DellaVita at michelle@greatermonadnock.com.
GMC Staff & Board News
GMC Staff & Board News
June 9, 2026
The Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce (GMC) is pleased to announce several exciting updates, including a staff promotion, a new addition to the team, a new Board Chair, and board leadership appointments for two GMC representatives.
Jessica Johansson Promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications
Jessica Johansson has been promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications, a new role that reflects the growing scope of her work and GMC's continued investment in its communications and marketing presence across the region. In this position, Jessica leads the organization's marketing strategy, brand communications, content development, digital presence, and membership marketing.
Jessica served on the GMC Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024 before joining the staff in August 2024 as Membership Engagement Coordinator. She brings a blend of creativity and strategic thinking to her work, and this promotion recognizes the depth of her contributions to the organization and the communities it serves.
Welcome, Tracee Bergeron
GMC is also thrilled to welcome Tracee Bergeron to the team as Executive Administrative Assistant. Tracee serves as the first point of contact for anyone reaching out to the GMC office, whether by phone or in person, and plays a key role in keeping daily operations running smoothly.
As always, the entire GMC team remains available to answer questions about membership and the many programs and resources available through the chamber.
Andrew Richardson Elected Board Chair
At its April meeting, the GMC Board of Directors elected Andrew Richardson as Board Chair for a term running through September 2027. Andrew is Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at Savings Bank of Walpole and brings a strong commitment to regional economic vitality and the business community of the Monadnock Region.
GMC also extends its sincere gratitude to Chris Coates, outgoing Board Chair (County Administrator, Cheshire County), for his dedicated service and steady leadership over the past 18 months. His commitment to the organization and the region has helped guide GMC through a period of growth and momentum.
Joining Andrew Richardson and Chris Coates on the Executive Committee are Andy Bohannon, Incoming Board Chair (City of Keene), Sarah Brothers, Secretary (C&S Wholesale Grocers), and Rich Scheinblum, Treasurer (Monadnock Community Hospital), each of whom brings valuable expertise and leadership to the organization as GMC continues its work to strengthen the Monadnock Region.
Board Appointments
GMC President & CEO, Julie Schoelzel, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA), the state's chamber of commerce, where she will represent the interests of the region's business community at the state level.
Director of Marketing & Communications, Jessica Johansson, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Maps Counseling Services, a nonprofit mental health center that has provided quality therapeutic services to children, adults, and families in the Monadnock Region since 1973.
Rounding out GMC's team is Michelle DellaVita, Director of Leadership Monadnock, whose extensive involvement in community and civic organizations throughout the region continues to strengthen the partnerships and relationships that are central to GMC's work. Her leadership and commitment to the Monadnock Region are reflected in her service on numerous local boards, committees, and community initiatives.
GMC is proud to see its leadership engaged beyond the organization, strengthening the connections that benefit businesses and communities throughout the Monadnock region and the state.
About the Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Monadnock Collaborative is a nonprofit membership organization serving employers and professionals across Southwestern New Hampshire. As the region's chamber of commerce and regional promotion organization, GMC advocates for the business community and works to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in communities throughout the Monadnock region. Learn more at greatermonadnock.com.