NH Business Review proudly presents our eighth 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.

Join us for the 2025 event

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 8-11:30 a.m.
Manchester Country Club
180 South River Road, Bedford, NH
Ticket fees include breakfast buffet

Individual tickets: $65 per person, plus fees
Group rate (6+): $59 per person, plus fees

NH Business Review paid subscribers: don’t forget to use your exclusive discount code and save 15% on your ticket price! Need help or forgot the code? Email us!

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2025 Powered by Women Panelists

Dr. Stephanie Ihezie
Neurosurgery Medical Resident
Dartmouth Health

Born in New York to Nigerian parents in a devout Christian home, Dr. Stephanie Ihezie was raised to value faith and hard work. She graduated top of her class in high school, earned her Bachelors of Science in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from MIT, and obtained her MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in the heart of world’s largest medical center. While in medical school, she volunteered with the American Red Cross during Hurricane Harvey to care for victims displaced by the disaster. She was honored with the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship through which she partnered with hospital systems, health insurance companies and Meals on Wheels to evaluate ways of optimizing post-discharge recovery following patients’ hospital admissions. She also became a “big sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters providing focused, long-term youth mentorship. In addition to obtaining her MD, she graduated medical school with a scholarly concentration in Medical Humanities and was elected into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Ihezie then matriculated into neurosurgery residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center becoming the first Black woman to matriculate into the program. Through her training she continues to practice service, patient care, and mentorship.

Kristi Baxter
Associate Executive Coach
Sojourn Partners

Kristi has over 30 years of experience in the fields of leadership development, talent management, executive coaching, executive recruiting and brand management. She brings a blend of practical operational experience from organizations such as Disney and Coca-Cola and coaching excellence to clients, helping improve individual, team and organizational effectiveness by developing leadership capabilities from the inside out.

Kristi’s inside-out coach approach combines her practical experience with a deep appreciation for the complexities of humanity, helping clients make tiny shifts that lead to significant and long-lasting results. Her focus on awareness, mindset and self-mastery empowers clients to achieve better performance, relationships, and impact. With a “lead thyself” mentality, Kristi expertly guides clients through change, helping them meet challenges head-on to uplevel their individual and team performance.

Geri Eisenman Pell
Co-founder
Rise Private Wealth Management

Geri Eisenman Pell, Private Wealth Advisor and Co-Founder of Rise Private Wealth Management, has been financial advisor since 1986. Among numerous national recognitions, Geri has appeared on CNBC, CNN, NBC Nightly News, and Fox Business News. She has also been quoted in and written articles for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Financial Planning, Financial Advisor and Registered Rep Magazines.

Geri is a Barron’s Hall of Fame Advisor and has had the distinct honor of being recognized by Barron’s Magazine as one of their Top 100 Women Financial Advisors, Top 1,200 Financial Advisors and Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors in the country. She has also been named a Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor and most recently, a Crain’s New York Business Notable Leader in Finance for 2025.

Donna Daneke
Director of Human Resources
Summit Packaging Systems Inc.

Donna Daneke has been the Human Resources Director at Summit Packaging Systems for just shy of eight years. Prior to accepting this role, she litigated workers’ compensation claims for 19 years, working the majority of time as an insurance defense attorney. She also worked as legal counsel to the New Hampshire Department of Labor for two years. Before law school, she worked as a paralegal, waitress, bartender, food service technician, and landscaper – experiences that shaped her well for her current role. In her spare time, she enjoys music, martinis, and her dog, Gulliver.

Mackenzie Fraser
Senior Vice President
EVR Advertising

Mackenzie is senior vice president and owner of EVR Advertising, a full-service marketing agency in Manchester, NH. She is a dedicated mentor and marketing expert, helping EVR team members grow professionally, while advocating passionately for her clients. Aside from running and growing the business, Mackenzie works closely with the account team on the strategy, development and implementation of marketing plans by channeling her organizational skills and creative problem-solving to deliver impactful results. Mackenzie embodies the philosophy, “She believed she could, so she did,” leading with vision, resilience and a commitment to driving success for those she serves. Mackenzie currently resides in Manchester, NH, with her husband and three kids —including twin toddlers.

2024 Powered by Women event

Panelists:

Nicole Bluefort, Managing Partner, Law Offices of Nicole Bluefort
Jennifer Desrosiers, Founder and CEO, Altitude Brands (Laney & Lu, Ginger Fox, and Palette)
Cyndee Gruden, Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
Jennifer MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer, Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)
Josephine Moran, President and CEO, Ledyard Financial Group, Inc.

2023 Powered by Women event

Panelists and talking points:

Holly Mintz, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of Ambulatory Services, Elliot Health System
How (and why) to embrace the unexpected with life’s twists and turns.
Jennifer Delisle, Co-founder, Inspire Realty Group
The life of an entrepreneurial mom and how to find equilibrium with work-life balance.
Honorable Talesha L. Saint-Marc, Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
The twists and turns of career journeys and breaking through barriers.
Diane P. Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Boys & Girls Club
Creating a culture of inclusivity and collaboration for the next generation of women. The importance of lifting each other and, leading with empathy and compassion.
Courtney M. Morin, FSA, MAAA, Vice President, Actuarial & Underwriting, Northeast Delta Dental
Overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to recognize accomplishments and eliminate self-doubt.

2022 Powered by Women event

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

2021 Powered by Women event

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.

2020 Powered by Women event

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.

2019 Powered by Women event

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.