Connect with us

Bussiness

Names to Know: Meet the Seacoast business professionals receiving recognition

Published

4 hours ago

on

Names to Know: Meet the Seacoast business professionals receiving recognition

Vouchers for Veterans appoints Morgan Morani as New Executive Director

ROCHESTER – Jeanne Varney Grover, Founder and President of Vouchers for Veterans, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to showing recognition and gratitude to local veterans by connecting them to local sources of food, is pleased to announce the appointment of Morgan Morani as the organization’s new Executive Director. Morani will succeed the nonprofit’s founder, Jeanne Grover, who is stepping down from the position the end of 2024 to care for a family member. Morani will lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact. Jeanne will remain as the board president and assist in the transition in leadership. 

Morgan brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and food access programming. With over six years of experience managing initiatives that support low-income communities, farmers, and local businesses, Morgan is uniquely positioned to continue the mission of Vouchers for Veterans and expand its reach in New Hampshire and Maine.

Grover states “Morgan has displayed a strong and dedicated commitment to serving both veterans and local agriculture, and the organization is confident she will bring fresh ideas and energy to the work as the organization strives to increase impact and expand into new communities reaching even more Veterans in other areas.”

Morgan’s most recent role was as Community Engagement Programs Manager at Seacoast Eat Local, where she led SNAP/EBT programming and managed events and outreach efforts that connected local farmers and business owners with sales outlets at farmers’ markets as well as with low-income residents across the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Maine. She also served as SNAP Nutrition Incentive Coordinator at the New Hampshire Food Bank, where she coordinated statewide food access programs and cultivated strong partnerships with farmers, food producers, and community stakeholders.

“I’m deeply honored to join Vouchers for Veterans and to continue Jeanne’s incredible work in supporting our veterans and local farmers and food producers,” said Morgan. “I believe strongly in the power of community and collaboration, and I’m excited to work alongside our talented team, Board, and volunteers to expand access to fresh, nutritious food for veterans and foster a sense of camaraderie and support across New Hampshire and Maine.”

Vouchers for Veterans was founded in 2016 to thank veterans for their service while simultaneously supporting local agriculture. The nonprofit provides veterans with vouchers redeemable at participating farmers markets, helping to foster a healthier and more supportive environment for both veterans and local farmers and food producers. Morgan will oversee the strategic and operational efforts of the organization, including expanding the Farm to Soldier program, building relationships with farmers and markets, and leading fundraising efforts to sustain and grow the mission.

The Executive Director role is a key leadership position within the organization, which has grown significantly since its founding.

Under Morgan’s leadership, Vouchers for Veterans is poised to grow into new areas, expanding its impact and support for veterans across the region.

Morgan will officially start her role Jan. 6, 2025. For more information about Vouchers for Veterans or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.vouchersforveterans.org. 

New Hampshire Foundation welcomes five new board members

PORTSMOUTH — George Bald, Peter Bergh, Jada Keye Hebra, Dottie Morris and Jenny Williams have joined the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s 16-member board of directors.

Bald, of Rochester, is the former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. He also served as Economic Development Director for the City of Rochester and Pease Development Authority. A U.S. Navy veteran and former mayor of Somersworth, Bald has also served on the boards of Granite Bank and the Pease Development Authority.

Bergh, of Portsmouth, has a long history of service helping to lead the Foundation: He was a board member for eight years, including two years as Foundation board chair and two as vice-chair. He also served as founding chair of the Foundation’s Impact Investment committee. Bergh is a retired partner at Prince Communications, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards in New Hampshire, including The Music Hall, the Southeast Land Trust of NH, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Hebra, of Manchester, is senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Southern New Hampshire University. She spent 25 years working in the private secondary school sector designing and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives while also serving in leadership roles. A licensed restorative practice trainer, certified project manager, and trained leader with the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), Hebra works to advance strategic diversity and inclusion goals so that SNHU’s vision of accessible, affordable and transformative education for all can be realized.

Dr. Morris, of Keene, is Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Keene State College and a member of the Keene State President’s Cabinet. She provides support and direction to the Executive, Academic Affairs, Enrollment and Student Engagement, Advancement, and Finance and Administration divisions of the college as the institution works to fulfill its commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. She has decades of experience in education. She is a Carsey Fellow for NH Listens and serves as chair of the board of ACLU-NH.

Williams, of Norwich, Vt., is a Joint Venture Partner with hotel development firm Norwich Partners. She founded and served as executive director of Finding Our Stride, a nonprofit aimed at empowering Upper Valley youth through free afterschool running programs that boost fitness, self-esteem and resilience; and connects kids to peers, mentors and community. She has also worked in higher education fundraising and has served on the boards of and chaired several human services, arts, and health organizations in Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors is the governing board for the statewide nonprofit community foundation, overseeing grantmaking, finances, stewardship of philanthropic resources and Foundation initiatives. The board’s members are leaders who represent a wide variety of experience and accomplishments in the public, private and nonprofit sectors in New Hampshire.

The Board of Directors also confirmed its officers: Joe Morone, chair; Barbara Couch, vice chair; Evelyn Aissa, secretary; Sarah Mattson Dustin, treasurer; and Pawn Nitichan, at-large Executive Committee member.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading