Young Person of the Year

The Young Person of the Year Award (previously known as Young Professional of the Year) honors an outstanding professional working and living in NH, 40 years of age or younger, who is a rising star in their industry and giving back to their community.

2023 Winner - Michael Newall

Michael is a Home Care Nurse at the Granite VNA, starting their career in nursing in January 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Michael quickly became a preceptor after only one year of nursing at the New Hampshire Technical Institute, and then at St. Anselm College and Rivier University for junior and senior students.

Michael earned their degree in Nursing with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of New Hampshire, is a Hamel Scholar recipient, and made the honors program at UNH. During their college years, Michael spent time volunteering at the local food pantry, was a STEM and class mentor for the Connect Program, and served as a member of the Diversity Support Coalition.

2022 Winner

SangYeob Kim has been an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire for the past 4 years. 

 As an immigrant himself Sangyeob centers his career around helping other immigrants. 

 Through his role at the ACLU-NH he has founded their Immigrants rights project. SangYeob has been essential in advocating for immigrant communities

He has gone above and beyond by giving marginalized communities a greater voice in the courts and at the legislative level.  

In addition to the wonderful work he does with the ALCU-NH, SangYeob takes on pro bono work and represents detained immigrants throughout New Hampshire who cannot afford counsel. 

2021 Winner

Fiona McEnany is a microbiology and immunology PhD student at Dartmouth College studying neonatal herpes. As a New Hampshire native who grew up in the North Country, Fiona saw firsthand a medically underserved area, which inspired her endeavors in laboratory-based science and political advocacy. She strives to build a bridge between the scientific and political communities as a researcher and leader, with the hope that the intersections of her work will increase equity in underserved communities.

She graduated from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice in 2019 with a Master of Public Health and from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2018. Fiona has interned at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in global health policy, is a former political science teaching lecturer at Plymouth State University, was one of 60 students selected nationally to present scientific research to Congress, and was named to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 2021 40 Under Forty class.  Fiona’s volunteer contributions include serving as the New Leaders Council-New Hampshire alumni co-chair and as a member of the New Hampshire Public Health Association Policy Committee, working with a comprehensive HIV/AIDS service organization, founding a health-centered voter engagement advocacy team, and helping the Northern New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps operate COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

2020 Winner

Dr. Patrick Ho is the Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Dartmouth College, and also serves as the youngest President of the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society (first to assume the role while still in his medical residency). After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Medicine degree in just six years from Kent State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University respectively, Patrick moved to New Hampshire to complete his training as a Resident Physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Working in NH allowed Patrick to see the discrepancies in mental health treatment and outcomes faced by rural disadvantaged populations in the state. This influenced him to pursue additional training and complete a preventive medicine residency in addition to his psychiatry residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. During this time, Patrick also obtained a Masters of Public Health degree from Dartmouth College. Patrick is also passionate about giving back to the community. He has been invited to serve as an expert panelist on the topics of preventive medicine and mental health for U.S. presidential candidates and state legislators for local organizations, such as New Futures and the NH Medical Society. As the president of the NH Psychiatric Society, Patrick’s goal is to increase active participation in the organization and make practicing medicine in NH more attractive to young psychiatrists. He has also helped to write bills in the state to advocate for mental health collaborative care and mental health parity and has worked to advocate on other important issues including paid family leave and lowering the cost of prescription medications. In the words of his nominator, “Patrick’s dedication to and impact on equitable access to care and innovative research is critical to the health of NH’s statewide community.“

2019 Winner

Dan Weeks is the Director of Business Development at ReVision Energy in Brentwood. Dan’s nominator described him as “the most successful Business Development person among a total staff of 260 employee-owners.” This is shown through his work on clean energy projects, his contributions to New Hampshire’s statewide solar industry, and letters to the editors and testimonies to legislators in regards to numerous renewable energy bills. Between January and July of this year, Dan developed more than $5 million worth of clean energy projects for clients ranging from new hampshire public and private schools, to social service nonprofits, municipalities, and many for-profit companies. Aside from Dan’s incredible achievements in his professional life, he is making a difference in the community. Dan is a leader of Open Democracy’s NH Rebellion campaign. He volunteers at the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and Southern NH Rescue Mission, and serves on numerous nonprofit boards including the NH Women’s Foundation, investing in communities initiative, Our Kids NH, and Rivier University’s Homeland & International Security program. In the words of his nominator, “Dan’s contributions to ReVision Energy are legendary.”

2018 Winner

Caleigh MacPherson, Program Manager at Optics 1, has been a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) advocate since her undergraduate days at the University of New Hampshire in mechanical engineering. Caleigh is a local NASA Ambassador who routinely hosts space and science-related community events, is a co-founder of Astro Advocates and Allies (which aims to prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the space industry), and has spoken at various events and New Hampshire community colleges. She is also involved with the New Hampshire High Tech Council’s TechWomen/TechGirls initiatives. Caleigh’s recent accomplishments include being awarded as the 2017 New Hampshire High Tech Council’s Tech Woman of the Year, one of the Union Leader’s Class of 2018 40 Under Forty honorees, and a recipient of Catapult Seacoast’s “10 to Watch” awards. She also has her Program Management Professional (PMP) certification. As one of her letters of recommendation stated, “Caleigh’s personal drive, plus her educational experiences including her work towards two master’s degrees, coupled with the experience she has as a leader in her career, has shaped her into an outstanding professional.”

2017 Winner

Rusty Talbot is the founder, owner, and manager of North Country Climbing Center in Sugar Hill. He and his wife started their business in 2014 and since then have grown the climbing and adventure community in the North Country. In addition to owning and running his own business, Rusty is also a firefighter with the Sugar Hill Fire Department, a Lieutenant with Pemigewasset Search and Rescue, and is involved with the Littleton Rotary Club, the Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce, and the North of the Notch Young Professionals Network.

His nominator said, “the North Country’s greatest asset is our mountains, and the Talbots’ have reminded us why we chose to live and play in northern New Hampshire.”

2016 Winner

Katherine Morneau, Owner of the Law Office of Katherine J. Morneau, PLLC located in Nashua, has handled cases focused on family law, estate planning and administration. She has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in NH (under the age of 40) by The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys and is a recipient of the Power of the Raven Award from Franklin Pierce University. She serves as the Public Education Committee Co-Chair and Board Member with the Collaborative Law Alliance of New Hampshire and was past President of the Manchester Food Co-op.

One of her recommendations said, Katherine “is one of the most ethical and hard-working attorneys I know. Whatever task Kate takes on, she gives it her full and undivided attention, expertise, and brings a joy to the experience. Kate’s boldness and creativity in marketing her legal practice have helped her successfully grow to employ three other attorneys and two paralegals, impressive for four years in business.”

2015 Winner

Chris Wellington is the CEO of the Grafton County Economic Development Council based in Plymouth. In addition to his professional experience in economic development throughout NH, Chris knows the importance of giving back to his community. His nominator said, “Chris does all of the ‘little things’ that others don’t want to do or are too busy to do.”

Most recently, Chris was a member of the inaugural class of the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship and a graduate of Leadership NH. A recipient of the Manchester Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty” awards and the 2014 Volunteer of the Year with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester, Chris also plays an active role with the state’s young professional networks. Chris’ nominator was on point when stating, “His excellence is what he does when no one is looking; when no one is there to shine a light on him. He is truly NH’s renaissance man.”

2014 Winner

Corey is from Portsmouth and an attorney at MacDonald and Black Law Firm, and also the youngest-ever Deputy Chief of Police in Portsmouth. In addition to his professional roles and being a father of two young daughters, Corey serves on a number of local boards and committees including as a committee member for Leadership Seacoast, as a board member for the Friends of New Hampshire Drug Court, as a trustee for both the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County and the Fuller Foundation. Corey was named one of Catapult Seacoast’s “10 to Watch” in its inaugural competition this year. As his reference said, “I think he was born to do what he does” and we are grateful he is doing it in New Hampshire.

2013 Winner

Ryan is a resident of Laconia and is the owner and founder of Mainstay Technologies in Belmont NH whose mission is, “To empower our clients to succeed by providing world-class, comprehensive IT services with extreme excellence.” In addition to founding and running Mainstay, Ryan is the principle of Fragged Nation, a large online gaming community; co-founder of “Beyond the Belt Martial Arts and Fitness Center;” founder of GovSites, a business dedicated to providing website design, development and hosting for municipalities throughout New England; and owner of Landmark Self-Storage, a multi-location self-storage business. According to one of his references, “Ryan has also come to be widely respected in the community for his personal integrity, the kind, honest way he deals with his clients, the dignity with which he treats his employees, and the generosity he has shown to many local charities and nonprofits.” When Ryan founded Mainstay Technologies, he was only 20 years old. Now 29, Ryan continues to impress with his enviable creative and innovative thinking, and strong values, but also with his dedication to giving back to his community. As one of his references stated, “Ryan’s vision, work ethic, intelligence, and integrity truly make him one of the brightest lights in New Hampshire. Positivity and success seem to naturally flow from whatever he puts his hands to.”

2012 Winner

It’s not just boy scouts and girl scouts that live by the motto “Be Prepared.” Laura has moved from staff accountant at Lake Sunapee Bank to chief financial officer and she’s only 36. She says she received some key advice from a boss earlier in her career who said “You don’t know when the opportunity is going to arise so be ready for it.” Taking that advice to heart, she went back to college while working at the bank in her early 20s to receive a bachelor’s degree. She says the bank, which oversees 29 locations in NH and Vermont and $1 billion in assets, has exposed her to new concepts and challenges on a regular basis. Our 2012 Rising Star continues to grow and expand her talents. In fact, she went back to school again to earn an MBA. The president and CEO of the bank says that Laura operates with a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition. Our young professional of the year has been integrally involved in the bank’s acquisitions of the McCrillis & Eldridge Insurance Company and The Nashua Bank. As if her job didn’t keep her busy enough, she is also active in the Newport Chamber of Commerce, where she has served not once, but twice, as president.

2011 Winner

Since being named Young Professional of the Year in 2011, Thad continues to serve New Hampshire and communities around the world in the areas of education innovation, nonprofit leadership, community-economic development, and social justice. As Strategic Initiatives Manager at KAUST on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, Thad leads scientific talent development initiatives, including building and supporting a diverse workplace with the highest level of talent, advancing the role of women in science, and helping develop a framework for a 21st century research careers. He leads High-Impact Departments, LLC, a small New Hampshire business devoted to consulting, coaching, and digital content for educational leaders in the US and around the world. He serves as Trustee of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and Trustee of Leadership New Hampshire. He previously served as Vice Provost for Research & Engagement at Plymouth State University, Founding Director of the Center for Rural Partnerships and Research Associate Professor of Anthropology at Plymouth State University, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Community and Research Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Hampshire. He has authored and co-authored books and articles and helped develop other media productions on the topics of globalization & democracy, immigration, community-economic development, social justice, environmental sustainability, and education. He has two sons and is based on the Red Sea and Lake Winnipesaukee.

2010 Winners

At 32, Errik has several start-ups under his belt including Seven West Ventures and his latest endeavor, Adimab, which is worth more than $200 million. The three-year-old Lebanon-based biotech firm was selected as a 2011 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and its founders, of which our winner is one, received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the NH High Tech Council earlier this year. Dr. Tillman Gerngross, who nominated our winner, says he met this year’s recipient when he was a student at Dartmouth. Gerngross found Errik to be highly intelligent, hard working, and very personable. In fact, Gerngross said that he was able to challenge conventional wisdom without arrogance, and approach problem solving with a clear-headed focus that is rare. In addition to his astounding business ventures, this young professional of the year makes an effort to give back to the community. He launched the Kaiser Education Fund, which provides scholarships to purchase textbooks for Dartmouth students. And in this biography, we have only scratched the surface of what this person has accomplished.

Described as driven, perceptive and community-minded by colleagues, Jaime is one of those people who refuse to let life’s hurdles obstruct her goals. With President Mark Lore, Jaime is responsible for overseeing a national provider of modified vehicles and adaptive equipment for people with disabilities, with more than 200 employees and operations in nine states. Mark Lore can’t say enough about the success of his vice president. In early 2007, performance issues forced him to terminate his top four executives. “Being new to the company… no one cut her any slack,” he says. “She became the leader in the company, handling all of the human resources issues, managing the IT department, overseeing marketing and most importantly, taking on all of the legal issues of the company. In short, she became the glue that held the company together through the toughest and most trying time in our history.” At the same time, Jaime expanded the firm’s charitable giving, increasing community participation by employees from 75 percent to 98 percent within a year of her arrival in 2006.