Presented by Rise Private Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., the Rising Stars Leadership Program is an empowering journey designed to inspire and cultivate the next generation of leaders in New Hampshire. This immersive experience goes beyond skill-building; it’s about shaping visionary leaders who are deeply connected to the fabric of our state and ready to take action.

Participants will engage in six transformative, in-person sessions from February through June 2025, where they will not only hone their personal and professional leadership skills but also gain a profound understanding of New Hampshire’s unique opportunities, challenges, and potential.

Guided by the expert coaching of Sojourn Partners, a Bedford-based leadership firm, participants will learn from changemakers across the state—leaders who are shaping the future of New Hampshire. Through hands-on experiences, collaboration, and mentoring, the program will challenge participants to think critically, lead boldly, and build strong networks with fellow young professionals who are equally passionate about making an impact.

The Rising Stars Leadership Program provides a rare opportunity to experience New Hampshire through a new lens—one that highlights its vibrant communities, thriving industries, and natural beauty. Graduates of the program will emerge not only as more effective leaders but as advocates for the state, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and relationships to drive meaningful change and foster innovation in their careers and communities.

2025 Session Days

The Leader in You
February 2025

In this kick-off session, participants will explore individual and overall leadership traits and aspirations, while gaining an understanding of the unique talent that each leader in a cohort contributes. 

Leading Others & Building Your Network


March 2025

This full-day session will see participants learn and practice core skills of creating a safe environment, listening, asking powerful questions, and holding accountability. Participants will also identify their career and leadership aspirations, brand, and networking plan. 

Live Free or Die
April 2025

Gain a greater understanding of what makes New Hampshire so unique from some of the Granite State's most well known and accomplished residents

Moving Mountains


May 2025

Meet, learn from, interact with, and be inspired by other young Rising Stars who have made a real difference in New Hampshire. Afterward, use the lessons learned, as well as a unique four-step model, to create your own plan to make a positive impact here in New Hampshire. What mountain will you move?

Pushing for Progress
June 2025

For all the state’s strengths, New Hampshire faces an array of challenges that threaten our ability to attract and retain desperately needed younger talent. Learn more about these challenges, what is being done about them, and how you can help push for progress.

Integration and Graduation
June 2025

You've learned the skills a leader needs both in the workplace and in the community, as well as some of the challenges facing our communities. Taking all you have learned, determine what goals you will set for yourself and how you will work to implement them.  

Rising Stars Leadership Program: Your Questions Answered

Webinar based on 2024 RSLP Cohort experience. Content and structure subject to change.

What Rising Stars Leadership Program alumni are saying…

  • "The Rising Stars Leadership Program was an incredible program and overall taught me how to be a better advocate for myself. Since completing this program, I am more confident in my ability to speak up for myself and I am better equipped to communicate to my entire team, from CEO level to interns. I personally don’t “lead” a person or a team of people, but this program was more than how to lead people in professional settings. The sessions taught me overall how to become a communicator in any setting I am in.”

    Heidi Breault, Rise Private Wealth Management

  • “I'm still a Rising Star, but definitely more in the middle of my career. I wish I had access to this earlier on. I think It's a great thing for everyone. The coaching and networking sessions made the most impact on me. I can't tell you how many times I've used the powerful questions and coaching on friends of mine, and even my wife! It's such a powerful tool to get people to answer their own questions, and get over whatever humps may be in the way."

    Oscar Arevalo, Quantic TRM

  • “Stay Work Play’s Rising Stars Leadership Program provided me with the opportunity to not only meet other young professionals in New Hampshire, but also to build my leadership and advocacy skills. (Our class was a) group of peers with a multitude of different backgrounds that grew together in such a short period of time! Thank you Stay Work Play!”

    Megan Brown, Market Square Architects

  • ”One of the transformations I've experienced is in my ability to comfortably navigate networking environments and engage with strangers on a meaningful level.

    The program provided me with valuable insights into effective communication strategies and navigating difficult interpersonal dynamics.”

    Megan Lustig, Alexander Technology Group

  • “I truly valued my time in the Rising Stars Leadership Program. It’s not every day you get access to a broad swath of experts and leaders in their respective fields, but then to also have the opportunity to work with them directly and learn new skills. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Being able to deploy those new skills to solve for relevant challenges while receiving constructive feedback, in a safe space, armed me with essential tools for creating positive impact in both my professional and personal life.”

    Tyler York, Big Brick Productions

  • “From connecting with new peers to strengthening my leadership skills, Stay Work Play’s Rising Stars Leadership Program left a meaningful impact that has supported my growth as a young professional. I appreciated the opportunities this program gave me to step out of my comfort zone. I was challenged between sessions to take the lessons and skills I learned and implement them in my personal and professional life, and it has been a game changer. I can say without hesitation that this program has inspired a greater confidence in my leadership abilities, and I would encourage any professional in New Hampshire to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.”

    Kameo LaLievre, Southern NH Health

  • “Throughout the program, I met some amazing people from all different industries, heard from a variety of New Hampshire leaders and learned a lot…about developing relationships, networking/communication, and of course, leadership. As a young professional, I plan to use everything I learned as I progress and grow in my career and personal life.”

    Taylor Livingston, Montagne Powers

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who should take part? The Rising Stars Leadership Program is geared toward those in the early stages of their careers in New Hampshire who want to grow as leaders in both their organizations and their communities.

  • Rising Stars Leadership Program participants can be selected by their employers and registered via the “join” buttons on this page or by emailing Stay Work Play Executive Director Corinne Benfield at corinne@stayworkplay.org. Participants may also sponsor themselves for this program and will follow the same process to join.

  • Tuition is $1,800 for employees of Stay Work Play Board of Advisors member organizations and $2,000 for employees of non-yet-member organizations or individuals. Tuition covers all instruction, materials, coffee, and snacks. Lunches during, and transportation to/from in-person session days, are the responsibility of the participant.