Speaker Series: Daring Women Shaping A New Economy 2.0

NNEWIN NH Signature Event with Alnoba & UNH Sustainability Institute
Daring Women Changing the World 2.0
Tuesday, November 14th from 12:30PM to 5:30PM

Program runs from 12:30-4:30pm and a networking reception from 4:30-5:30pm

We are thrilled to invite you to an extraordinary afternoon filled with inspiration and connection. Get ready to immerse yourself in a gathering of like-minded individuals, where you will not only expand your knowledge about investing but also tap into the collective wisdom of a powerful community of women. Our main event will feature a thought-provoking conversation moderated by Fiona Wilson, Director of UNH’s Sustainability Institute and Changemaker Collaborative, with five bold leaders who are actively shaping a new economy. These remarkable individuals will captivate you with their stories and distinctive perspectives on driving positive change for a brighter future that benefits people, the planet, and profits.

We will kick off the event by exploring the beautiful grounds at Alnoba and providing an opportunity to engage with extraordinary women who contribute to the new economy as an angel investor, an entrepreneur, and a visionary community builder. The panel event will take place in the stunning Main Hall, setting the stage for an intimate and engaging conversation. We will then lean into the power of everyone present, fostering participation and facilitating open discussions. This safe space will encourage meaningful dialogue and offer an excellent chance to explore fresh ways of contributing to a better world for ourselves and others.

Join us for this one-of-a-kind event, which promises intimate conversations and a rare opportunity to meet nationally recognized wisdom-keepers who have been at the forefront of pioneering change in our world. Prepare to be empowered and inspired as you discover how your investment decisions can make a positive difference in your community. Together, let’s shape a new economy that benefits us all.

Event Schedule:

12:30pm: Guest arrival/Registration/Networking/Beverages and refreshments

1:00pm: Welcome & Introductions

1:20pm: Alnoba property walk & talk with regional changemakers

2:20pm: Break at reception hall

2:30pm – 4:30pm: Panelist Discussion/Break out Sessions/Guest Q&A/Closing

4:30pm – 5:00pm: Reception with snacks, beverages, and cash bar

About NNE WIN:

NNE WIN is a coalition of women across New England who are interested in learning more about — and actively participating in — Angel and Impact investment opportunities. NNE WIN currently sponsors Tri-State events throughout New England, and has active regional meetings in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. These meetings and group events provide opportunities for women to expand their knowledge of investing, to meet and network with like-minded women, and to get more involved and engaged in investing in their communities.

About the Speakers:

EVENT MODERATOR: Dr. Fiona Wilson – Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, University of New Hampshire (UNH)

Dr. Fiona Wilson is the Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer for the University of New Hampshire (UNH), the state’s flagship public university, a land, sea and space grant institution, and a recognized national leader in sustainability. She is also Director of UNH’s Sustainability Institute, and an affiliate Clinical Associate Professor of Social Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability at the Paul College of Business & Economics. Prior to her academic career, Fiona spent fifteen years in the business world, including as VP of Marketing for CMGI, an internet investment and operating company, and in various roles at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising in both London and Barcelona.

PANELIST: Michelle Theodat Waring – Steward for Sustainability, Tom’s of Maine

Michelle Theodat Waring is the Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom’s of Maine. She leads all of the CSR efforts at Tom’s of Maine, which includes the stewardship model (ingredient sourcing and transparency), sustainability efforts, and the Giving for Goodness program (10% of profits to nonprofit organizations). In her role she develops strategies to elevate social impact for Tom’s of Maine. Working cross-functionally with key stakeholders across Tom’s and Colgate-Palmolive, she manages key strategic partnerships and initiatives with 3rd party validators and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Tom’s of Maine, Michelle led the Communications Partnerships team at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) as the Director of Entertainment and Brand Partnerships. Prior to that, she started her nonprofit career at UNICEP USA. Michelle earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Trinity College in Connecticut.

PANELIST: Margo Walsh – Founder & CEO, MaineWorks

As an expert thought leader in economic and social development, Margo Walsh applied her 25+ years of experience in corporate recruiting and employee development to launch the innovative staffing agency, MaineWorks. MaineWorks defines social employment by creating economic viability for people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder, reentry from jail or prison, and new Americans. The concept originated after Margo volunteered at her local jail pre-release employment program, quickly identifying the need for inmates to be connected to more appropriate employment opportunities within the construction industry. As a woman owned business, Margo led MaineWorks to become the first Certified B-Corp in Maine. MaineWorks continues to be recognized as an innovative business model, combining a social B-Corp with a partner 501c3 nonprofit, United Recovery Fund, founded in 2017.

PANELIST: Alison Pyott – Partner and Senior Impact Wealth Manager, Veris Wealth Partners

Alison Pyott is a Senior Wealth Manager and partner at Veris. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) professional. The CPWA certification is an advanced professional education and certification program for advisors who serve high-net-worth clients. Alison formerly led the firm’s Women, Wealth, and Impact strategy, co-authoring several papers on gender lens investing including Gender Lens Investing: Bending the Arc of Finance for Women & Girls.

Prior to Veris, Alison was the Director of Client and Shareholder Services for Citizens Advisors, a socially responsible mutual fund company. She also worked in client service and management positions at John Hancock Signature Services. In addition to her 25 years of financial services experience, Alison worked for the United Way of the Greater Seacoast, where she managed community investment and outcome measurement programs.

Alison is an advisor to the Northern New England Women Investor Network, a group working to increase the number of women angel and impact investors. She is a former advisory board member for Invest for Better, former Treasurer for the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation and former Chair New Hampshire Charitable Foundation – Piscataqua Region.

Alison graduated from University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics with a B.S. in Hotel Administration and from Merrimack College with a Certificate in Financial Planning. She lives with her husband in Portsmouth, NH.

PANELIST: Katie Bouton – CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor

An influential voice with deep expertise in human capital, talent acquisition, executive search, and business strategy, Katie Bouton led Koya Leadership Partners from its bootstrapped founding in 2004 to a successful exit in 2019 with Shoreview Industries, a $900 million private equity firm. Serving as President of the newly merged organization, Diversified Search Group (DSG), Bouton oversaw operations while implementing strategies to grow revenue from $50 million to $125 million in 2.5 years. Bouton currently serves as a board member for DSG and is an Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) Fellow at Harvard University.

Bouton has over 25 years of operating expertise in change management, culture building, and systems integration within high growth, mid-size organizations and experience with organic, equity and debt backed growth strategies. She has particularly expertise in founder-driven businesses and advises founders on business growth and exit opportunities. Bouton is an expert in executive compensation, benefits, and pay for performance in both the public and private sectors.

Bouton is consistently recognized for her business acumen in the Management Consulting and Professional Services industries. She was a finalist for EY’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year® New England program and named a Boston Brava Award Winner by SmartCEO, which recognizes high-impact women business leaders. Under her leadership, Koya was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of “Fastest-growing Private Companies,” Boston Business Journal’s “Fast 50 Company” list, and Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting firms” three consecutive years.

Corporate Impact

• Serving as CEO for two decades, managing P&L for business with 35% growth year over year

• Placing C-Suite executives and board directors for over two decades at Fortune 500 companies and major nonprofit and higher education institutions

• Leading M&A due diligence and stewardship on 5 acquisitions – accretive of $75 million in revenue and 300 employees

• Building diverse leadership teams, placing 1000+ leaders, 75% women and people of color during Koya’s tenure

Board Service

• Shoreview Industries/DSG (Private Equity Backed Executive Search Firm)

• ReadySet (Global DEI Consulting Firm)

• Newburyport Bank (Community Bank)

• Steady Growth Ventures (VC Fund)

Jesse Baines – Chief Marketing Officer, Atlantic Sea Farms

Jesse has spent her career promoting food with integrity and activating the edible approach to healthy communities, economies, and environments. Before joining Atlantic Sea Farms in 2019, Jesse worked with mission driven food and beverage companies to tell their sustainability stories and educate consumers. Jesse, a native Midcoast Mainer, is deeply and proudly rooted in the Maine lobster industry and today works to create opportunities for those fishing communities to diversify into regenerative seaweed farming, diversify coastal economies in the face of climate change, and keep our working waterfronts thriving for generations to come. Alongside her colleagues at Atlantic Sea Farms, Jesse is proving that good food can do good, and that hope and opportunity are possible as we face a rapidly changing planet.

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About the Impact/Angel Investors

Sandra Stone is Chair Emerita of Maine Angels, Maine’s angel investor network of accredited investors, who individually provide start-up capital, introductions, expertise, and guidance to early-stage entrepreneurs in Maine and New England. Members value the groups’ collective expertise and connections in sourcing, selecting, vetting, and collaborating in the investment process. The Maine Angels’ portfolio is now >$39M invested in over 85 New England companies, with current membership > 80, of whom ~ 30% are women. Sandra’s intentional preference is supporting female founders in scaling growth companies. She co-founded the Northern New England Women’s Investor Network, a tri-state collaboration activating financially accredited women as angel investors through training, networking, and mentoring. She serves on the Board of Directors of CEI Ventures, Inc, a socially responsible venture capital fund, the Dirigo Angel Funds I & II ‘side car’ funds sourcing from the Maine Angels deal process, and Kikori, Inc, an experiential SEL / education platform for teachers.