Name: Finding the Better Way: A Creative Problem-Solving Training and Practicum
Start: 2026-08-29T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-08-29T11:00:00-04:00
Location: Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship

Lila Thorne

Topics: Fundraising, Major Gifts, Impact Investment Capital Raises

Lila believes that fundraising should be fun and that it must be creative to be successful.
She helped launch Forterra’s first impact investment capital raise and ran a capital campaign to conserve 3,000 acres of forest in the Pacific Northwest.
As Director of Development at the Northern Forest Center, Lila implemented a $30M capital campaign for rural resilience that included an impact investment raise for middle income housing.

Book with Lila!

Hannah Pickard

Topics: Strategic Planning, Workshop Facilitation, Community Needs Assessment, Program Evaluation

As the Manager for Planning and Facilitation at Impact by Design, Hannah works with organizations and alliances of all sizes worldwide on strategy and program planning to maximize their impacts for people, animals, and the environment.
Her background is in in informal education, impact planning, and visual facilitation comes together to create inclusive and highly participatory processes that result in buy-in, energy, and clarity.
She is passionate about mobilizing communities to build their physical and emotional resiliency to environmental and social challenges.

Email us to book with Hannah!

Wren Fournier

Topics: Technical & Science Writing, Grants

PineCone Editorial developed about 20 years ago to provide editorial work for scientists, and it blossomed into assisting entrepreneurs and researchers of all kinds find a way to put complicated documents onto the printed page.
Wren provides editorial services and support for proposed and continuing research, grant proposals, and publications, remaining compliant with copyright, federal funding, and federal research protocols, as well as Council of Science Editor standards.

Email us to book with Wren!

Nicole West

Topics: Project Management, Operational Efficiency, Process Improvement

Nicole is the founder of New Perspective Consulting, LLC and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
She brings over a decade of experience helping leaders align operations with business goals, scale effectively, and reduce inefficiencies.
With a background in project management, Agile, and leadership coaching, Nicole can help you streamline workflows, implement sustainable systems, and drive lasting growth.

Book with Nicole now!

Nick Matlach

Topics: Legal

Nick provides legal advice tailored to the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
He prioritizes clear communication and fast turnarounds so his clients spend less time with a lawyer and more time running their business.
From formation to success, Nick provides support through every contract, decision, and stage of business journey.

Book with Nick now!

Zach Luse

Topics: Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, Commercial Solar

Zach is local entreprenuer with a passion for energy efficiency and sustainability.
He purchased a vacant church built in 1869 in downtown Keene and converted the space to an energy efficient space that is heat and cooled with heat pumps.
The space became the home of his marketing agency, Paragon Digital Marketing.
Zach is knowledgeable in innovative energy efficiency and weatherization technologies from first hand experience and familiar with many of the resources and assistance available to businesses in NH for energy efficiency projects.
He also serves as the chair of Keene’s Energy and Climate Change Committee.

Please email us to book a session with Zach!

Wink Faulkner

Topics: Strategic Planning, Exit Planning and Execution, Family Business Management

Dynamic and results-driven executive with extensive experience in the manufacturing industry.
He has a proven track record of leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence.
He is skilled in process optimization, team development, and driving profitability through innovative solutions and effective management.

Book with Wink now!

Tracy Gunn

Topics: Exit Planning & Business Improvement

Tracy helps small business owners who are considering an exit that have either lost their passion, are sick and tired of their business, or are in the beginning stages to get ready for retirement… to not give up!
She will discuss exit strategy and succession plan creation, complete a first valuation, and begin to determine next steps with you.
In addition, attendees will leave understanding the selling climate, and the importance of fixing their business, in order to ensure it is sellable and transferable.

Book with Tracy now!

Ted Chartrand

Topics: Logo Design

Designer and owner at Logo Further LLC which specializes in logos and visual brand identity.
As a coach, Ted helps entrepreneurs and business owners understand the technical requirements to make this happen, as well as the pitfalls to avoid.
His experience spans commercial company projects, non profits, competitive teams, solopreneurs, and startups, as well as those that are rebranding.
Ted helps professionals develop holistic, versatile brand iconography that serves as a permanent solution.

Book with Ted now!

Tammy Richards

Tammy Richards

Topics: Business Valuation, Business Transition/Sales

Before moving to Vermont in 2004, Tammy spent eight years working at Citigroup in New York where she held various positions within the investment banking division.
Tammy is a Certified Valuation Analyst (“CVA”) as designated by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) and serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the association.
She is also a member of the New England Business Brokers Association (“NEBBA”). Tammy currently serves on the board of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (“BDCC”) as well as Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.

Book with Tammy now!

Sharon Fantl

Topics: Board Development, Organizational Development, Strategic Planning, and Fundraising

Nonprofit leader and fundraising professional with over 20 years of experience in the creative field, currently serving as Director of Development at Next Stage Arts Project, in Putney, VT.

Prior to her leadership at Next Stage, she had worked as a performing arts presenter, creative producer, program facilitator, and fundraiser.
Sharon currently serves on the board of the Vermont Arts Council and is on its Governance Committee.
She can help people articulate their vision, values, and goals, connect to resources, and identify unique tools and strategies for growing their capacity at scale.

Book with Sharon now!

Scott Maslansky

Topics: Building Energy Efficiency Consulting, Energy Project Finance and Incentives, Utility Bill Analysis

Scott is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) through the Association of Energy Engineers.
Director of Clean Energy Finance at the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA).
Scott provides financing tools and technical support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and manages an energy audit grant program for small NH businesses.
He has completed residential and commercial energy audits, business development for energy consulting projects, and consulted with utilities on energy efficiency program development, marketing, and implementation.

Email us to book with Scott

Scott Olmstead, CIC

Scott Olmstead, CIC

Topics: Business Insurance

Scott Olmstead is Sr Vice President and Director of Agency Operations at The Insurance Center.
With close to 40 years in the insurance industry, Scott has worked with numerous start-up businesses helping identify their risks of loss and the best way to protect the business through risk management, transfer of risk strategies, contractual insurance requirements and insurance products.
He presents a consultative approach to the “what if” questions.

Email us to book with Scott

Sarah Bennett, CISR

Topics: Business Insurance

Sarah is a personal and commercial lines insurance professional with Kapiloff Insurance with 16 years of experience in the field.
Commercial insurance has many facets that can be confusing when a new business is created. Sarah will offer guidance regarding your business’s insurance needs and quotes as requested.

Book with Sarah now!

Sara Allen

Topics: Work/Life Balance, Marketing, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, Virtual Events

As a coach, she envisions a world in which people of all ages live more fully integrated lives. She helps clients better synchronize their bodies, thoughts, and emotions so that their choices align with the highest version of themselves.
She enjoys coaching mid-career professionals to find their second act and first-time entrepreneurs on the “soup to nuts” (all the parts) of business.
She specializes in launching virtual speaker series and other online offerings – events that build a warm, loyal, and engaged audience for you to serve for years to come.

Book with Sara now!

Roy Wallen

Topics: Business strategy, company formation, capital access (fundraising), leadership coaching, branding, business development

Management advisor who leads Directional Healthcare Advisors, an NH-based services firm.
Has served in executive leadership roles for new product initiatives in medical technology companies ranging from pre-revenue start-ups to multi-billion-dollar, global concerns.
Current work as an advisor to emerging companies to support access to capital markets and go-to-market execution. He crafts stories that demonstrate market needs, matches technology to those market needs, and translates this into a compelling business case.
Serves on the Board of Trustees of a Massachusetts-based nonprofit, as a mentor at Northeastern University, and as Executive in Residence.

Book with Roy now!

Randall Walter

Topics: Sustainable Architecture, Renewable Energy and Real Estate Development

Architect and developer focused on the intersection of sustainability, profit, and design.
As a longtime Company Steward at Bensonwood, he led award-winning LEED Platinum and Net-Zero projects across New England. Since 2020, he’s focused on real estate redevelopment, including the Net-Zero UP@310 housing project, which features large-scale solar and a wood chip boiler system.
He serves on the board of Hannah Grimes and chairs its Building Committee, overseeing a grant-funded deep energy retrofit that made the Center fossil-fuel free.

Book with Randall now!

Peter Hansel

Topics: Commercial Solar

Peter had a 47-year career at family-owned Filtrine Manufacturing Co. before retiring in 2020. He continues to serve on their board.
While at Filtrine, he oversaw the installation of a 1 million BTU woodchip boiler in 2017 to reduce the company’s dependence on fossil fuel by 90%.
In 2019, the company installed a 793 kW (DC) solar array on the roof of its Keene facility using over 2,200 solar panels, the largest roof-top array in the region at the time.
He has served as Chairman of the Keene Conservation Commission, Chairman the Board of the Harris Center for Conservation Education and is current President of the Monadnock Conservancy. He also served as chair of Keene’s Energy and Climate Committee.

Email us to book with Peter

Nicky Dumont

Topics: Graphic design and layout, branding

Nicky Dumont is a freelance graphic designer and art director.
She earned a BA in illustration, but has spent the last 30-ish years designing.
Approximately twenty of those were in-house for an advertising and marketing agency and ten were in magazine publishing.
She loves listening to someone explain their vision, trusting her with their thoughts and ideas, then interpreting and morphing those into graphics that will identify and support them.

Book with Nicky now!

Liz Knight

A smiling white woman with auburn hair wearing a navy and white striped sleeveless blouse.

Liz Knight

Topics: Product Design, Packaging, Branding and Presentation

Industrial Designer who spent over 30 years designing and inventing consumer products for Rubbermaid, as a consultant in Knight Design and most recently as VP of Girls’ Design at Hasbro.
She knows how to develop raw ideas into manufacturable products and has worked with several small startups as they refined their product design, packaging, and branding details.
She taught Product Design at Rhode Island School of Design and encouraged students to find their best ideas, simplify and focus their designs to meet their consumer’s needs.

Book with Liz now!

Liz Butler

Topics: Planning & Profitability, Visual Merchandising, Customer Behavior, Consumer Packaged Goods, Branding, Packaging, Product Development, Inventory Management

After a 30-year career holding varied roles in corporate and physical retail, manufacturing and operations, Liz followed her dream of being a small business owner.
With her husband Paul, Liz owns Monadnock Paddle in Fitzwilliam.
Running a tight operation and always striving for continuous improvement sets a company up for success. Managing to a P&L and having a business plan keeps benchmarks towards goals and helps keeps a business on track to profitability.

Book with Liz now!

Lisa Sieverts

Topics: project management, productivity

25 years of experience, sprecializing in sharing the tools and techniques of Agile and Waterfall project management.
She owns Facilitated Change, an independent consulting firm in Harrisville, NH.
She provides a range of services including training and coaching as well as outsourced project management.
Lisa is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and an Agile Certified Professional (ACP) by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a global leader in the development of standards for the practice of project management.
She has also earned both Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) from the Scrum Alliance.

Book with Lisa now!

Lee Davis

Lee Davis & Company

Topics: Quickbooks

Lee Davis & Company, a bookkeeping firm serving start-ups to mid-sized companies, delivers services tailored to the needs of young businesses and entrepreneurs.
The firm offers effective, financial management solutions that set customers on a clear path to success.
As a QuickBooks Certified Pro-Advisor, Lee allows owners the opportunity to spend more time focusing on their business and less time on record-keeping.
In addition to bookkeeping, Lee can provide consulting and strategic planning services.

Book with Lee now!

Lea Ann Skogsberg

Topics: Nonprofit Fundraising, Social Entrepreneurship, Small Business Giving, Nonprofit Structure

Collaborated to $90M+ in funding for clients and employers.
Engaged as Fundraising Coach 13 years at Bonterra (formerly Network for Good).
Founder of Dollars and Sense for Nonprofit Success, leading $16MM and $4M capital campaigns: Kenan Center in Lockport, NY and Effingham County Fair in Illinois.
Won major grants, including a $10MM construction grant (HHS) and $1.3MM program grant (Dept. of Ed) for Aurora University, IL and $500K+ for CA-based ELCA congregation.
Works with clients across arts, social services, and P–18 education, prioritizing social equity missions.
Advises nonprofits on building strong online profiles and story-driven social media strategies, individuals on donor advised funds and and small businesses on mission-aligned giving.

Book with Lea Ann now!

Kate Barry

White woman with dark hair in a flower-patterned blouse and black blazer.

Kate Barry

Topics: Commercial Real Estate and Hospitality Industry

Seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a wealth of experience in real estate sales, property management, and the hospitality industry.
Kate brings a unique blend of practical knowledge and strategic insight to her role as a business coach.
She owns and operates Oak Street Property Management, where she manages a diverse portfolio of properties, providing top-tier service and maintenance solutions that enhance property values and tenant satisfaction.

Email us to book with Kate!

Julie Jukoski

Topics: Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online

Virtual Bookkeeping Professional and owner of Granite Bookkeeping.
Growing up with Accountant grandparents, she saw how they were able to help so many business owners grow their businesses and achieve financial freedom.
Julie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Cal Poly University.
After graduation, she worked at accounting firms, with both small- and medium-sized business clients.
Julie is a Quickbooks Online Certified ProAdvisor.

Book with Julie now!

Joseph Shawver

Topics: Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online Pro Advisor

Joe is the owner of The Square Books Bookkeeping Services.
Joe has experience with start-ups, setting up QuickBooks, and keeping monthly accounts.
Certified in multiple bookkeeping software, including QuickBooks and Xero.
He has worked with a range of businesses from non-profits to service orientated to inventory-based.
In 2024 he noticed how businesses need more help creating financial goals and he added CFO advising to his business.

Book with Joe now!

Joe Byk

Topics: Contract Basics

Joe has a broad range of experience in developing, negotiating contracts, and resolving contract disputes.
As a New Hampshire attorney, he represented numerous businesses. As a litigator and Superior Court mediator, he resolved numerous disputes.
He served as General Counsel for software companies in Silicon Valley and Boston MetroWest.
He was Director of Contracts and Legal Compliance for the Student Conservation Association, a national environmental nonprofit.
He has negotiated contracts from $5000 vendor contracts to $30 million patent license agreements, locally, nationally and worldwide.

Please email us to book a session with Joe!

Jim Verzino

Topics: Support for Food Businesses: bookkeeping, accounting, sales forecasting, business planning, cash flow management, fundraising, and pitch preparation

Founder and President of Food Creators Financial, LLC; a bookkeeping, accounting, and outsourced CFO firm for food businesses.
CFO services such as sales forecasting, business planning, cash flow management, fundraising, and pitch preparation for early and mid-stage food businesses.
Prior to starting his current business Jim was the founding Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) for Windham Grows, a food business accelerator, he worked very closely with 59 food entrepreneurs over three years.
Those 59 businesses created 60 new jobs and increased sales by 40%.

Book with Jim now!

Jan Ziegler

Topics: Web Design, Social Media Marketing, Performance Marketing

Jan is the founder of Freitag Marketing, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses grow through smart, effective, and tailored marketing strategies.
With over a decade of experience and a team of specialists, he ensures every strategy delivers measurable results and real value.
As a Hannah Grimes coach, Jan guides business owners in refining their brand, building actionable marketing plans, and using data to drive sustainable, strategic growth.

Book with Jan now!

Heather Turner

Topics: Restaurants, Hospitality, Foodservice

Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with 20+ years previously in the restaurant business in the back of the house.
She has owned her own business since 2003, primarily doing restaurant and hospitality consulting.
Currently teaches marketing and operations seminars for small businesses and professional groups focusing on the hospitality industry.
She can help with both online and offline marketing as well as website design.

Book with Heather now!

Greg Grissett

Topics: Legal Support for Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets

Intellectual property lawyer that helps new and established enterprises protect their innovations.
He helps minimize intellectual property (IP) related risk, and enforce IP rights and defend against IP right assertions through patent preparation and procurement, patent litigation, and various types of patent analysis.
He advises companies on brand protection strategies, protection of creative works via copyrights, and technology transactions.

Book with Greg now!

Eric Kallio

Topics: Public Speaking, Podcast & Radio Show Production, Large Scale Project Management

30 years of project management experience in communications.
Bachelor of Science in Communications/Media from Fitchburg State College in 1999, as well as a Master of Science in Communications/Media Management from Fitchburg State University in 2005.
Eric serves as the producer and on-air host of the Rise and Shine Show and the Rest and Relax Show WOOL-FM 91.5 Black Sheep Radio, Bellows Falls, Vermont.
Eric can work with individuals to address their public speaking abilities, draft and proofread communications for both oral and written publication, and develop foundations for starting and managing projects throughout their life cycle.

Book with Eric now!

Emily Hall Warren

Topics: Human Resources, Organizational Development

Director of Administration at the W.S. Badger Company.
Badger is known for its certified organic and truly natural personal care products, and employs 85 full- and part-time workers, and is a certified B Corporation.
Prior to Badger, Emily specialized in training and Organizational Advancement for the Claremont Savings Bank and more recently The Timken Company.
Extensive background in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) and a Master’s Degree in Organization and Management from Antioch New England University.

Please email us to book a session with Emily!

Emily Aborn

Topics: Copywriting, Content Creation, Marketing, Podcasting

Small business copywriter and content marketing consultant.
In her work and on her podcast, Small Business Casual, she brings personality and creativity together for a message that works to attract ideal clients and build relationships.
With over a decade of business ownership, she’s written for 110+ industries and worked with 1,000 of clients to increase their visibility, connect with their audience, and add personality to their copy and messaging in a way that sets them apart.

Book with Emily now!

Colleen Spear

Topics: Sustainable Business Strategy

Colleen Spear is the founder of Spearpoint Strategies, an impact consulting firm based in Portsmouth, NH.
Her work focuses on the strategic sustainability action in business, creating a path for companies to make the world a better place while creating value for themselves.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and sustainability from the University of New Hampshire.
She is a member of the New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility and the International Society for Sustainability Professionals.

Book with Colleen now!

Christopher Wheeler

Topics: Accounting Services, Certified Valuation Analyst

Graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a degree in business and accounting, and continued his studies postgraduate at the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience providing tax, accounting, and advisory services to clients.
Certified Valuation Analyst who specializes in the valuation of small, closely held companies.
Assists clients throughout the process of buying or selling a business, through tax-efficient strategies for the transaction and ownership structure.
He is currently a partner at Oster & Wheeler, PC in Keene, New Hampshire and has been with the firm since 2008.

Please email us to book a session with Chris!

Christopher Janke

Christopher Janke

Topics: Restaurants, Food Trucks, Consumer Packaged Food, General Main St. Businesses, Bookkeeping, Points of Sale, Loan Prep

Christopher ran a lost-and-found fashion show at a laundromat for 10 years.
Co-owner of The Rendezvous, an independent all-scratch-kitchen pub in Turners Falls.
Teaches Financial Management at UMass, and he’s a poet and visual artist with two MFAs.
He loves to help small business owners with all the nuances of running a small business, from interpersonal challenges to preparing for bank loans to weighing the broccoli to cost out a menu item to programming the Point of Sale to be optimal for the rush.

Book with Chris now!

Bridget Archbold

Topics: Time Management, Strategic Planning, Productivity, Work/Life Balance

Seasoned marketing and business strategist with over 15 years of corporate experience and a proven track record as a successful entrepreneur.
Bridget’s coaching is rooted in her ability to blend big-picture vision with actionable strategies, empowering clients to streamline their new business operations, prioritize effectively, and set themselves up for success.
Supports individuals who are transitioning from full-time employment to full-time entrepreneurship while also creating essential balance in their lives.

Book with Bridget now!

Bob Radin

Topics: Strategy, Management, Organizational Structure, Culture & Values, Early Stage Business Finances

20+ years of experience helping organizations find greater success through executive coaching, leadership development, and strategic business consulting.
10+ years as a core faculty member of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College, where he taught management, corporate governance, and international management.Bob holds a Ph.D. in Management, Corporate Governance from Boston College, a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University.

Book with Bob now!

Artie Lang

Topics: Nonprofit Board Governance & Development, Strategic Planning, Organizational Assessments, and Interim Leadership

Artie’s passion is helping people and organizations grow and improve.
30 years as a nonprofit professional gaining skills like strategic planning, board governance, financial acumen.
As and Associate for LPA: he is recognized as a compelling facilitator with expertise in board development, volunteer engagement, operational problem solving, capital planning, fundraising, and risk management.

Book with Artie now!

Alison Milioto

Topics: Human Resources

Alison is the co-founder and owner of BlueLion, an HR Outsourcing Firm.
Masters in Business from UNH
Practicing HR for over 8 years.
BlueLion loves working with small businesses to ensure they are in compliance and can focus on the core of their business, providing excellent products and services.

Book with Alison now!

Abbey Harlow

Topics: Nonprofit Management, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Board Development, Organizational Capacity Building

Harlow Nonprofit Consulting specializes in helping small organizations plan their strategies, raise funds, and tell their stories effectively.
Her work has supported nonprofits across North America, with missions spanning agriculture, food security, arts, humanities, mental health, and advocacy.
She enjoys championing the unique needs of smaller nonprofits, staying connected to best practices and emerging trends.
Her approach combines strategic vision with meticulous attention to detail, empowering organizations to achieve lasting impact and deepen their connection to the communities they serve.

Book with Abbey now!

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Finding the Better Way: A Creative Problem-Solving Training and Practicum