Greater Monadnock Collaborative - regional chamber of commerce

06/15/2026

Our office at 310 Marlboro Street has really come together, and we have some incredible local businesses to thank for helping us create a welcoming space for our team.

A huge thank you to S&S Painting and Decorating, Inc., who generously donated their time and talent to paint our office. Their gift made a tremendous difference and gave the space a fresh, professional look.

We're also grateful to Monadnock Shutter & Shade for the beautiful blinds that add both style and function to our office. They look fantastic and have transformed the feel of the space, and have it kept it cool on sunny afternoons!

And finally, thank you to Gem Graphics for creating and installing our office signage. The sign looks wonderful, especially during our virtual meetings!

We are fortunate to be surrounded by businesses that not only provide exceptional products and services but also invest in the success of our community.

06/12/2026

We are thrilled to announce the graduation of an outstanding group of local community leaders from the Leadership Monadnock Class of 2026. These individuals have successfully completed an immersive, nine-month journey of experiential learning, civic engagement, and community-building across the Monadnock Region.

Thank you to the organizations that invested in their employees' participation, and to our sponsors: Eversource NH, Mascoma Bank, Freitag Marketing, Keene Young Professionals Network, Savings Bank of Walpole, and Monadnock Ford.

The Leadership Monadnock alumni network now includes more than 500 alumni who have gone on to take on influential roles in municipalities, nonprofits, education, and business, amplifying the ripple effect of this transformative program.

A few tickets remain for the Leadership Monadnock graduation celebration on June 17 at The Colonial Theatre's SHOWROOM in Keene. Get tickets here: business.greatermonadnock.com/events/details/2026-leadership-monadnock-graduation-celebration-alumni-gathering-52515

Read the full release, including the complete list of graduating class members, here: greatermonadnock.com/2026/06/11/gmc-celebrates-the-graduating-leadership-monadnock-class-of-2026/

For more information about Leadership Monadnock or to be notified when applications open for the next cohort, visit greatermonadnock.com/leadership-monadnock

06/09/2026

We are pleased to announce several exciting updates, including a staff promotion, a new addition to the team, a new Board Chair, and board leadership appointments for two GMC representatives.

Jessica Johansson has been promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications, a new role that reflects the growing scope of her work and GMC's continued investment in its communications and marketing presence across the region. In this position, Jessica leads the organization's marketing strategy, brand communications, content development, digital presence, and membership marketing.

GMC is also thrilled to welcome Tracee Bergeron to the team as Executive Administrative Assistant. Tracee serves as the first point of contact for anyone reaching out to the GMC office, whether by phone or in person, and plays a key role in keeping daily operations running smoothly.

At its April meeting, the GMC Board of Directors elected Andrew Richardson as Board Chair for a term running through September 2027. Andrew is Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at Savings Bank of Walpole and brings a strong commitment to regional economic vitality and the business community of the Monadnock Region.

GMC also extends its sincere gratitude to Christopher Coates, outgoing Board Chair (County Administrator, County of Cheshire, NH), for his dedicated service and steady leadership over the past 18 months. His commitment to the organization and the region has helped guide GMC through a period of growth and momentum.

Joining Andrew Richardson and Chris Coates on the Executive Committee are Andy Bohannon, Incoming Board Chair (City of Keene), Sarah Brothers, Secretary (C&S Wholesale Grocers), and Richard Scheinblum, Treasurer (Monadnock Community Hospital), each of whom brings valuable expertise and leadership to the organization as GMC continues its work to strengthen the Monadnock Region.

GMC President & CEO, Julie Schoelzel, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA), the state's chamber of commerce, where she will represent the interests of the region's business community at the state level.

Director of Marketing & Communications, Jessica Johansson, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Maps Counseling Services, a nonprofit mental health center that has provided quality therapeutic services to children, adults, and families in the Monadnock Region since 1973.

Read the full news release here:

06/05/2026

The Leadership Monadnock Graduation Celebration and Alumni Gathering is less than two weeks away, and there's still time to join us!

Whether you're a family member, a friend, a co-worker, an employer, or simply someone who believes in the power of regional leadership, this night is for you. Come celebrate the Class of 2026 as they complete nine months of deep engagement with the issues, ideas, and people shaping our region.

If you're a Leadership Monadnock alum, this is also a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and celebrate alongside the newest class.

📅 Wednesday, June 17
🕓 5:30 - 7:30 PM
📍 Showroom - a Colonial Performing Arts Center Venue
💲 $50 per person

🎟️ https://business.greatermonadnock.com/events/details/2026-leadership-monadnock-graduation-celebration-alumni-gathering-52515

To learn more about Leadership Monadnock, or to sign up to be notified when applications for the Class of 2027 open: https://greatermonadnock.com/leadership-monadnock

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Monadnock Perinatal on their ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new Keene location!

Owner Ashley Norris brings both professional training and deep personal experience to her work, with Monadnock Perinatal offering placenta encapsulation, lactation consultations, lactation and childbirth education, birth, postpartum and VBAC doula support, and pregnancy loss support. It's a beautiful space that is welcoming, calming, and uplifting. Share this post with the soon to be moms in your life!

We’re so glad to welcome Monadnock Perinatal to the Greater Monadnock Collaborative community!

Learn more here: https://monadnockperinatal.com/

05/29/2026

Join us TODAY for the Grand Opening of Monadnock Perinatal, a family-centered perinatal support practice serving families throughout the Monadnock Region! 🎉

Founded by Ashley Norris, IBCLC, CD(DONA), CCCE, Monadnock Perinatal offers lactation consultations, birth and postpartum doula support, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, and individualized support for growing families, all rooted in evidence-based care, informed choice, and community connection.

Stop by to meet Ashley, tour the new space, and join us in the celebration!

📅 Friday, May 29
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM
📍 27 Matthews Rd., Keene

05/29/2026

We're grateful to D&J Professional Cleaning for sponsoring next week's Gone Guys Film screening and panel discussion. Their support makes important conversations like this one possible.

Gone Guys is a 45-minute documentary following young men, educators, mentors, and programs working to re-engage disconnected youth in rural communities. After the screening, our panel brings the conversation home to the Monadnock Region.

🎙 Panelists include:
Donald L. Birx, Ph.D. — President, Plymouth State University and Keene State College Interim President
Gina Pasquale, PsyD — Executive Director, Maps Counseling
Sarah Jenness — Jobs for the Future
Evenor Pineda — Manchester Police Athletic League

This event is for educators, employers, nonprofit leaders, parents, and anyone who cares about making sure every young person has a real path forward. Tickets are still available!

📅 Wednesday, June 3
⏰ 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 The Colonial's SHOWROOM, 20 Commercial St., Keene
🎟 Free to attend, registration required

https://business.greatermonadnock.com/events/details/2026-collaborative-conversations-gone-guys-film-screening-discussion-panel-52486

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

05/18/2026

This Wednesday! Join us for May's Business After Hours, hosted by Houle Wealth Management- in Keene. Come connect with fellow GMC members over refreshments and great conversation from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

Don't forget your business cards; you'll need them for networking and for a chance to win a door prize!

Not a member yet? Come see what the GMC Chamber is all about!

📅 Wednesday, May 20th
⏰ 5:30 to 7:00 PM
📍 143 West Street, Keene

🎟 Free for members / $15 for non-members

Register here: https://business.greatermonadnock.com/events/details/2026-business-after-hours-houle-wealth-management-52494