Ben Bacote is a queer, black, teacher, writer, and dad living in Campton, NH. He teaches Humanities at Waterville Valley Academy, writes for Concord Monitor’s 3-Minute Civics column, is the founder and director of the grassroots civil rights/youth/education advocacy organization NH PANTHER, and is the proud parent of three kids. You can connect with him on Instagram @nhpanthers or by email bbacote@gowva.org

Born and raised in the Monadnock region, I have lived in New Hampshire for all but a few years of my life. I love hiking, golfing, snowboarding and enjoying libations with friends and family. I have travelled to a number of places in the world and would put New Hampshire up against any of them. I currently live in Concord with my wife Genevieve, our two kids and our dog Moose. We love being centrally located in the state, able to visit the mountains, the ocean or anywhere in between in less than an hour!

Brandon was born and raised in Newmarket New Hampshire, went to school at Saint Anselm College for his bachelor's degree, and Southern New Hampshire University for his Master's degree. He's worked with the Student Conservation Association, Fidelity Investments, and Southern New Hampshire University throughout his career and currently works remotely as a cyber security analyst for Albany International out of Rochester. He's often found wandering New Hampshire trails and parks with his dogs, Arwyn and Teddy, reading a book in his hammock, or playing cribbage with his girlfriend. He hopes that his writing can help to explore challenges and opportunities for young people in New Hampshire.

Brandon Latham is a Merrimack native and a second-year law student at the University of New Hampshire, where he serves as president of the Environmental Law Society and associate editor of the UNH Law Review. After going away for college, Brandon was eager to come home. Since then, he’s had all sorts of jobs, from newspaper reporter covering the Monadnock Region to state park maintenance worker, from web design assistant to middle-school track coach. When he isn’t busy learning in and out of the classroom, Brandon prefers to be in the woods, running, climbing, and hiking, or at a local movie theater or playhouse.

Colleen grew up in the "Only Henniker On Earth", went to college at Plymouth State University, and now lives in Campton with her husband and 7-year old daughter. She is the PR & Communications Coordinator for White Mountains Attractions Association and loves working with the businesses who are members of WMAA as well as travel writers who come to the White Mountains to do research for online and print publications. When not at work, Colleen is a photographer and you can also find her and her family exploring the great outdoors in the Lakes Region and White Mountains.

Emily works for NH Granite State Ambassadors as the Communications Director. She has a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations, and her background is in tourism, communications, event planning, and project management. She enjoys playing the piano locally, as well as exploring NH and traveling internationally. Emily also enjoys outdoor activities during all four seasons including hiking, biking and cross country skiing.

Jacob grew up in Manchester, and attended Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, NH. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies. He has a passion for both conservation and advocacy, and is putting his skills to good use as a member of the Food and Agriculture Team at UNH Cooperative Extension. He completed hiking New Hampshire's four-thousand footers in Fall 2021. Now he's documenting the craft beer movement throughout the state. He hopes his writing will shine a spotlight on some of the businesses that make the state such a great place. Further, he hopes it will offer a low key alternative to those looking for a break from the bustling bar scene.

Laura Brusseau was the Stay Work Play NH’s Civic Leader of the Year in 2014. She is an outgoing, supportive, active community volunteer, mentor, event planner, and teacher. She not only teaches her high school students but her friends, family, and community members that giving and helping those in need is a wonderful gift and way to live life. She believes in the power of leading with love, kindness, and gratitude. She loves hanging out with her pup, Calli, and just completed the 48 4,000 footers. Photo: Megann Sanborn Photography.

Laura Harper Lake is an interdisciplinary artist, with a prime focus on painting, illustration, digital art, printmaking, and mixed media. She graduated with a degree in Studio Arts from Chester College of New England in 2007. Laura has exhibited her work in various New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston, MA galleries, as well as had her work included in various publications. Laura creates in a studio space in Exeter, NH, and works under the moniker Artful Harper Studios (ArtfulHarperStudios.com). Laura is the co-host of Creative Guts (CreativeGutsPodcast.com), a weekly podcast and nonprofit focused on the pursuit of creativity, which is available on all major podcast platforms. Laura is also the graphic designer and a business design advisor for the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC.com), a non-profit focused on creating opportunities for small businesses in New Hampshire. Laura and her charming husband, Geoff, live in a quaint town in the NH seacoast with a plucky pup, named Max, and an omniscient feline, Rainer Maria.

Sarah is a full-time student at Granite State College, where she is studying digital communications with a concentration on writing. Sarah works as a sous chef in downtown Portsmouth, her personal goal has been to move toward a zero-waste lifestyle, and in her spare time, she enjoys studying farming and gardening. Sarah’s goal is to work in publishing one day where she can help publish books for social change. She loves reading, writing, photography, and spending time in her garden. She was raised in Southern NH and currently lives on the seacoast with her husband, Morgan, and their two cats Ghost and Bear.

A lifelong New Hampshire resident, Sarah’s passion for the Granite State runs deep. Sarah is excited about housing, legumes, and her free roam rabbit, Luna. By day she serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator at New Hampshire Housing, but when she’s not advocating for housing, she is the co-founder of Creative Guts. Sarah is a new mom, a hiker, and an enthusiastic member of the Seacoast Ultimate community. She is a graduate of Leadership Seacoast’s Class of 2019 and Leadership New Hampshire’s Class of 2021. She has a master’s degree in public policy from the Carsey School of Public Policy at UNH. In addition to being Stay Work Play’s Civic Leader of the Year in 2018, Sarah is featured on the Union Leader’s 40 Under Forty list (2020), New Hampshire Magazine’s It List (2019), and named a 10 to Watch winner by Catapult Seacoast and Seacoast Media Group.

As a Colorado native, she knows exactly what it’s like to move from another state in order to lay roots down in New Hampshire. She now calls Concord home, soaking in all local tourist adventures she can get. Victoria loves to share New Hampshire’s “hidden gems”. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She has a love for tacos, unicorns, and avocado toast. She enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking.