New Hampshire
March 17, 2022 2025-04-04 14:09New Hampshire
New Hampshire Networking Group for Women Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders
Passionate Business Network in New Hampshire
Our New Hampshire chapters offer many opportunities for women in business, and we are always welcoming new members to our professional networking group for women.
The inspiring leaders of our New Hampshire chapters aim to foster a supportive network for female entrepreneurs and business leaders eager to elevate their businesses. Your membership includes rich educational opportunities, including monthly power hours and quarterly accelerators. You'll also gain exclusive access to monthly national community calls, members-only forums, and private community groups
Join us today and discover a whole new world of possibilities.
chapters
Join our community today.
We’re always welcoming new members into our networking groups for women entrepreneurs and business leaders in our New Hampshire chapters. Get to know more about our fearless leaders below.
Join our strong, supportive group of women in business.
Dawn Sullivan
Hi, I’m Dawn, the owner and founder of Declutterize with Dawn! After spending 20 years in corporate America—primarily in the financial services sector—I decided it was time for a change. During COVID, I realized I needed a way to channel my anxiety into something positive. That’s when Declutterize with Dawn was born. Through my own journey, I discovered that letting go of items that no longer served me and focusing on what truly added value to my life helped me create a calmer, less stressful environment. It was a life-changing process, and I knew I wanted to help others experience the same transformation. After running my business part-time for two years, I took a leap of faith and left my traditional 9-to-5 in February 2022 to pursue this passion full-time. Today, my team and I specialize in helping busy families reclaim their time and create functional, welcoming spaces they love coming home to. Whether it’s a one-time organizing project or ongoing house manager services, we focus on reducing stress and simplifying life for our clients. When I’m not busy transforming homes, I live in Londonderry, NH, with my husband. I thrive in New England summers—spending my time at the beach, boating, or paddleboarding—and during winter, you’ll either find me on a small ski hill or cozied up by the fire dreaming of warmer weather. I also enjoy traveling, cooking, reading, doing yoga, and, of course, organizing! I’m passionate about helping people live simpler, more fulfilling lives, and I’d love the chance to connect with you. Let’s work together to create a space that brings you peace and joy!
Jennifer Edwards
Dr. Jennifer Edwards is a mindset and leadership coach who empowers people to break through limitations and create lives of profound purpose and fulfillment. Combining success as CEO and owner of her multi-million-dollar veterinary practice with extensive training in human potential and coaching, Jennifer deeply understands what it takes to create positive workplace experiences while maintaining professional excellence. As an ICF credentialed coach (ACC), Core Energy Coach with specialties in leadership and transitions, Energy Codes Coach, and Canfield Success Principles trainer, Jennifer brings a unique approach to help corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals transform challenges into opportunities and achieve extraordinary results in both their professional and personal lives. Through private and team coaching, workshops, retreats, and keynotes, she guides clients to consistently create lasting change and lead with purpose and joy. For more information visit www.drjenniferedwards.com.
JoAnn Burchuk
JoAnn has almost 35 years of business experience. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Materials and Logistics Management. She spent her first 10 years after graduation in Chicago working for a distribution company as a business analyst helping to design, test and train end-users on a new computer system and develop ongoing updates. JoAnn and her husband Dave began their passion project 25 years ago establishing Lighthouse Physical Therapy. Their vision to create a wellness space that nurtures and cares for each patient. Stepping outside of a traditional fast-paced environment to emphasize on one-on-one care and provide alternative hands-on manual therapy techniques for a broader-based healing alternative. Together they have been able to grow their business to two locations and 11 equally skilled manual therapy practitioners. Serving the seacoast community, they have been able to transform the lives of thousands of patients. JoAnn is very excited to launch the WBL Dover chapter with her friend Lisa Keslar. It is a great extension of their Cheers for Charity NH initiative to connect the community with the non-profit organizations doing amazing work in their area. She is looking forward to connecting women business owners and creating a vibrant and successful networking community.
Lisa Keslar
Lisa has more than 30 years of professional business leadership experience. She’s always had a passion for business. She completed her first round of studies at Babson College, earning her BS with a double major in Marketing and Communications. Lisa then went on to complete an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, also from Babson College. She’s been an entrepreneurial leader in a wide variety of organizations including start-up high-tech manufacturing and distribution organizations, fashion accessories companies, and medical accessories manufacturers She now co-owns and runs a successful, rapidly growing, and award-winning independent insurance agency located in Newmarket, NH offering home, auto, business, and life insurance solutions throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The agency, Keslar Insurance, has built its reputation on providing a consultative approach to reviewing coverages, educating about solutions, and researching the right products for their clients. As it is always Lisa’s goal to inspire, engage, educate and collaborate, she shares her business expertise by teaching college business courses at two colleges for more than 12 years; the University of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University. In addition, she serves in multiple capacities in the community, regularly participating in and volunteering at more than 13 additional local community organizations. She’s excited to work with her co-leader, JoAnn Burchuk to launch the Dover, NH WBL chapter and will focus her energy on building a robust, supportive, and successful business networking community.
Kimberly Merrill Wood
I am the 4th Generation of Tobey & Merrill Insurance in Hampton where I work alongside my dad, uncle and our amazing team. We offer Business, Personal and Life Insurance for our clients in NH, ME and MA. Our Vision is to ‘Build Relationships’. I live by this everyday with my connection with clients, team, business partners and community. It is important for me to have my clients empowered to make decisions and be a true partner with me. I have found to be able to do this you start with education about coverages, policies and what is going on in our community that will affect them. I joined WBL to create the lasting relationship and have the support of my fellow business women. I can’t wait to continue to grow with being the co-leader of the Exeter NH chapter.
Jennifer Bishop
Coming soon...
Sara Janes Hoag
Sara Janes began her career in the financial services industry in 2012. She has several years of experience in Human Resources and is now an Investment Advisor Representative of Primerica Advisors. She currently holds her Series 6, 63, 26, 65 and Life & Annuities licenses, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a focus in Mathematics. Her office is in New Hampshire; however, she offers her Financial Wellness Workshops to the entire greater New Hampshire and Massachusetts areas. Sara Janes teaches these principles in a simple and interesting way, taking the focus off of products and placing it on fundamental strategies. Her educative approach empowers each client to reach a deeper understanding of their financial decisions, moving them past the numbers to measurable objectives and creative wealth building strategies. She enjoys teaching people how money works in their lives, and aspires to be known as someone who can help people get from where they are to where they want to be financially. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Tracy of 23 years and her 4 children, Kayla, Casey, Keegan and Coriann.
Maria Palmer
Maria DeVito Palmer is a watercolor artist and designer. Her work includes original art and prints, custom commissions, event décor and details, and an extensive line of stationery and gifts. Before transitioning to pursuing her art full time, Maria spent 25+ years in customer service and retail operations management at Whole Foods Market. This experience instilled a deep appreciation for customer experience and a passion for servant leadership principles, but also honed her skills in mentorship and entrepreneurial development. Maria's commitment to fostering a sense of community and empowerment extends beyond the canvas, creating a holistic and enriching experience for those who engage with her work. Growing up in Woodstock, VT, and residing in New England, her body of work is a love letter to the places, people and experiences that have shaped her journey. Her goal is to bring joy to the everyday through colorful, vibrant art and design. Maria has two grown children, Eva and Joseph and currently resides in Derry, NH with her husband, Stephen. Find her work online at mariadevitopalmer.com.
Sarah Andrews
Sarah Andrews has 18+ years of senior management and development experience in human services and higher education. Her extensive fundraising experience includes achieving aggressive fundraising goals, organizational capacity building, annual campaigns, engagement and stewardship programs, strategic growth planning, sponsorship and promotions, grant writing, and major giving programs. Sarah serves on the PTO for her daughter’s elementary school in Manchester and personally fundraises for the March of Dimes in honor of her younger daughter who spent her first 38 days in the NICU. Along with members of her family, she oversees the George Butch Joseph Foundation in loving memory of her grandfather. Sarah is a native of Manchester, NH who enjoys strong coffee, live music and being outside. She is also a yoga instructor at Humble Warrior Power Yoga.
Elizabeth Brooks
Liz Brooks is a 30 year southern NH resident. She lives in Bedford, NH with her husband, Steve, and her 4 kids; Anthony (19), Whitney (9), Blakely (7), and Teddy (7). She attended UNHM and earned a degree in Business Administration. Liz spent 13 years in various roles at Merrill Lynch, until last November. Now, she is the proud owner of two Allstate Insurance Agencies, and is the CEO of The Brooks Insurance Agency LLC. She loves helping people, connecting and protecting the community! Liz stays very busy with her business and her family!
Olivia Austin
Five years ago Olivia left her cushy 9-5 to pursue entrepreneurship with no plan, just passion to bridge the gap between making an impact and beautiful design. Olivia is the founder of Current, a design studio that builds high-converting, scalable brands for coaching, wellness and lifestyle businesses. She is a serial entrepreneur, business mentor and life enthusiast running multiple businesses like mentoring creatives to scale their businesses and a product company, Motive Deck™, affirmation cards for entrepreneurs. Olivia is driven by helping entrepreneurs go unapologetically after their dreams by streamlining big visions and turning them into obsession-worthy brands and businesses. She believes you should wake up every day and do what you love and make money doing it. Through courses, trainings and her podcast, Behind the Design, Olivia’s mission is to help entrepreneurs build thriving businesses and lives they’re obsessed with. Most days you can find her crafting the perfect latte and planning her next adventure at home in New Hampshire with her dog and husband.
Lisa Barros
Coming soon...
Carrie Penna
Carrie grew up in Durham, New Hampshire where she resided for 21 years. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Business/Marketing from Stonehill College in Easton, MA, Carrie worked for nonprofit organizations such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and San Diego Hospice. In addition to helping others, one of Carrie’s passions is traveling and exploring different countries and cultures. Carrie is active in many women-led groups such as Seacoast Women in Business, Seacoast Women’s Network, Portsmouth Women’s City Club & the Women’s Business League in an effort to share Soul Models mission and work across all ages. Carrie is thrilled to be Soul Models’ first Executive Director, helping to empower young girls in our community to become strong leaders and find their authentic voices.
Robin Baker
Portsmouth Chapter Leader
As a lending professional at Loan Depot, I have an extensive 20 years of experience in the Real Estate & Mortgage industry & am dedicated to helping you with all of your home mortgage needs. The housing and mortgage markets are constantly changing. I can help you navigate the many options to find the right loan for you and your family. Whether you are buying or refinancing, I can explore with you the many options for financing. Please let me know how I can best support your Real Estate and Mortgage needs. I look forward to working with you.
Danielle Cooper
Salem Chapter Leader
As a Realtor, growing up and raising a family in New England has given me the advantage of knowing the local communities and neighborhoods. My prior roles in business and education have helped me to develop the necessary skills to best represent my clients. My mission is to guide you through every facet of the real estate journey to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. Raising four boys as a single mother, I know the importance of family and home ownership. I have seen the struggles and successes of first time home buyers and am very familiar with the challenges most young families face when purchasing their first home. I enjoy the opportunity to help families with similar experiences or current challenges in finding a new home, and will work diligently to provide the best experience for my clients. After spending several years living on the Seacoast of New Hampshire and enjoying all that it has to offer, I have returned to Southern New Hampshire to enjoy more time doing what I love most…spending time with family and friends.
Rachel Leone
Salem Chapter Leader
As a second-generation agent at my family’s insurance agency, I’ve built my career on providing a personalized experience for each of my clients. Growing up in Southern New Hampshire, I have a deep understanding of the specific insurance needs unique to the area. I’m proud to offer the luxury of a wide range of companies and products, allowing me to tailor coverage that fits each customer’s individual needs. Licensed in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, I’m committed to helping clients protect what matters most. I value family and relationships. Outside of work, I love to read and spend time at the lake.