NH Business Review proudly presents our seventh annual Powered by Women conference, an inspiring event that will showcase the drive, conviction and persistence of women leaders in the Granite State. Powered by Women serves to connect female leaders through these stories that will leave them feeling empowered and informed to succeed in their endeavors.

The event will feature successful women leaders from different career backgrounds and perspectives, who will give 10-minute talks about their personal and professional growth followed by a 45-minute panel discussion.

Nicole Bluefort
Managing Partner
Law Offices of Nicole Bluefort

Attorney Nicole Bluefort is an experienced trial attorney who leads a Massachusetts-based law firm with offices in Lynn and the Seaport in Boston, and Manchester, NH, which opened in July 2024. The Law Offices of Nicole Bluefort focus on family law, criminal defense, probate, and general litigation and Attorney Bluefort is known for aggressively representing her clients. Her education is extensive and impressive; she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and hispanic studies from Boston College, a master’s in public health from Tufts University School of Medicine and a juris doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Bluefort had the opportunity to complete a two-year term as a judicial clerk under the tutelage of Judge Frederick Brown, the first African American judge to be appointed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Jennifer Desrosiers
Founder and CEO
Altitude Brands
Laney & Lu, Ginger Fox, and Palette

Jennifer Desrosiers is passionate about teaching other women entrepreneurs to unapologetically go after what they want in their lives and businesses through events and coaching. Desrosiers is best known for creating progressive team cultures, profitable operations and for her unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. As a business coach and speaker, Jennifer’s personal mission is to create positive impact by encouraging people to live vibrant, more purposeful, adventure-filled lives.

Cyndee Gruden
Dean
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of New Hampshire

Dr. Cyndee Gruden has been serving as the dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, her alma mater, since January 2021. Since her return to UNH, she has led a college-wide strategic planning process, prioritized community-building, incorporated stake-holder voice in college-level decisions, and spearheaded initiatives to promote student success and wellbeing. Gruden, a licensed civil engineer in New Hampshire, previously worked at the University of Toledo where she served as the associate vice provost for academic administration and faculty affairs and the interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Jennifer MacDonald
Chief Operating Officer
Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)

Jennifer MacDonald has been chief operating officer of the ARMI in Manchester, NH, since January 2023. MacDonald, a medical doctor and Army veteran previously worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., where she served for six years, most recently as senior advisor to the secretary of veterans affairs. She received a bachelor of arts in biology and biological sciences from the College of Saint Benedict, a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed a residency in family medicine at UCLA.

Josephine Moran
President and CEO
Ledyard Financial Group, Inc.

With over twenty-five years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, Josephine Moran has substantial expertise in community banking, investment services, residential and consumer lending, business banking, small business, customer experience, change leadership, digitization, modernization, marketing, strategy, leadership, and coaching. She has a proven track record of affecting change, motivating and influencing outcomes, and making a difference for individuals and organizations.

Moran is a member of the Board of Governors at the University of New Haven and serves as Chairperson for the COB Advisory Board. She is the founder and chair of the University’s Women’s Leadership Council. Local involvement includes the New Hampshire Banker’s Legislative Committee and Community Bankers Association, the Upper Valley Corporate Council, Vice Chair of the Granite State United Way Board of Directors, the Kendal Trust Committee, ABA’s Government Relations Council and Women’s CEO Peer Group.

Panelists:

• Elaine Hamel, Founder, Executive Director and Program Leader, Girls at Work
• Emily Schwerin-Whyte, Co-Collaborative Executive Officer, 2nd Generation Family Owner, W.S. Badger Company
• Elissa Margolin, Director, Housing Action NH
• Latonya Wallace, Business Lender, NH Community Loan Fund
• Eva Castillo, Director, NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees/Welcoming NH MIRA Coalition

Panelists and talking points:

• Dr. Larissa Ruiz Baía, President, Lakes Region Community College
  Larissa will be talking about being flexible and open to opportunities, taking risks, and confronting self-confidence issues
• Sharron McCarthy, CEO, Girls Inc. of New Hampshire
  Sharron will be discussing the power of perseverance
• JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director, Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
  JerriAnne will be focusing on digging deeper into our why – why we do what we do – the meaning behind our work
• Connie Roy-Czyzowski, Vice President, Human Resources at Northeast Delta Dental
  Connie is looking forward to sharing about who inspired her early on as well as reflections of a long career in city government being the only woman in a leadership role
• Lisa Carter, Founder / Chief Engagement Officer, Drinkwater Marketing & Productions
  Lisa will be speaking about understanding the power of your personal brand, defining your expertise, authority and developing trust.

Panelists:

• Renee Plummer, Vice President, Two International Group
• Lisa Guertin, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield New Hampshire
• Jennifer Parent, Director and Chair of the Litigation Department, McLane Middleton
• Marcia “Marty” Sink, President and CEO, CASA of NH
• Donnalee Lozeau, Executive Director, Southern New Hampshire Services, Inc.

Panelists:

• Linda Johnson, Director of Litigation Dept. & Co-Chair of Education Law Group, McLane Middleton, PA
• Amanda Grappone Osmer, Owner, Grappone Automotive
• Katharine Eneguess, president and CEO, Animal Rescue League of NH
• Kim Cadorette, Acting Vice President of Operations, Electronics Systems Sector, BAE Systems
• Cathy Duffy Cullity, CEO, Girls Inc.

Panelists:

• Mary Jo Brown, Brown & Company Design
• Maureen Beauregard, Families in Transition
• Sandy Cleary, SLC Group Holdings
• Dianne Mercier, People’s United Bank NH
• Susan Ryan, Spaulding Youth Center