Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism
Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism
Volunteer NH hosts the annual Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism as a professional development opportunity for volunteer managers, nonprofit employees, AmeriCorps members & staff, and corporate employees. Attendees leave this training experience with the tools to strengthen New Hampshire’s volunteer programs and organizations.
View Past Conference Information
- 2026 Conference
- 2025 Conference
- 2024 Conference
- 2023 Conference
- 2022 Conference
- 2021 Conference
- 2020 Conference
The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Manager of the Year Award
Operating a volunteer program is no small feat. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, patience, perseverance, managerial skill, long-term vision, and a willingness to engage in continuous learning and improvement to keep the program operating successfully year after year.
The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Manager of the Year Award was created by former Governor John Sununu to honor volunteer administrators and salute their excellence in the leadership and management of volunteers in New Hampshire.
The award is presented at the Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism each year. Nominations typically open in January and are reviewed by a team of past awardees.
Past Outstanding Volunteer Manager of the Year Awardees
2026: Kelly Bryer, Granite State Ambassadors
2025: Michele Watson, NAMI New Hampshire
2024: Laura Bahl, Seacoast Science Center
2023: Olivia Stanas, Make-A-Wish New Hampshire
2022: Ann Vennard, Cornerstone VNA
2021: Kathleen Stuart, NH Senior Companion Program
2020: Nicole Finitsis, Beacon Hospice Care
2019: Lisa Challender, Granite VNA
2018: Margo Bell, Nashua Senior Center
2017: Linda Rioux, Humane Society for Greater Nashua
2016: Tanya Prather, Home, Health & Hopsice Care
2015: Nikki Lyons, Make-A-Wish New Hampshire
2014: Lauren Kochakian, Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center
Other Past Winners:
- Charron Sundman, Littleton Regional Health Care
- Marcia Sink, CASA of New Hampshire
- Don Chesnel, New Hampshire Elks Association
- Nancy Evans, UNH Cooperative Extension
- Sister Denise Charest C.S.C, Nashua RSVP Program
- Lois Meredith, NH Highland Games
- Lawrence Barker, UNH Cooperative Extension
- Lynne Saltonstall, NH Association for the Blind [Future In Sight]
- Donna Wright, Elliot Hospital
- Andrea Young, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
- Dee Martin, NH Lung Association, Bedford
- James Doremus, The Friends Program