KYLA SCANLON

Kyla Scanlon is the founder of Bread, a leading financial education company built for social media, where she shares daily explainers across social media and her newsletter. She is the bestselling author of In This Economy? (Penguin Random House, 2024), a former Bloomberg Opinion contributor, and the creator of the now-dictionary word vibecession. Her work has appeared in The Financial Times and The New York Times, and she has guest lectured at Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley. She has interviewed top policymakers and business leaders while making economics accessible to a new generation.

PAMELA LAFLAMME, City of Berlin

Pamela Laflamme is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assistant City Manager for the City of Berlin, overseeing Administration, IT, Grant Management, and Community & Economic Development. She holds a degree in Community and Regional Planning from Plymouth State University and is a graduate of Leadership New Hampshire. Laflamme serves on several boards and committees, including the Community Builders Hub and the Androscoggin Food Cooperative. She has received the Next Generation Civic Leadership Award from NHPR and the NH Charitable Foundation, and a Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship to attend Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government senior executive program.

JEFF LEFKOVICH, Catholic Charities New Hampshire

Jeff Lefkovich is Executive Director of Real Estate & Housing Development at Catholic Charities New Hampshire, leading the creation of mixed-income, age-restricted, and workforce housing communities. With more than 30 years in real estate and affordable housing, he has guided projects from concept through financing, construction, and operations. Lefkovich previously was Managing Principal of Newhallville Community Development in New Haven, CT, and Heritage River Village Development in Southeast Connecticut, and has held senior leadership roles with Mercy Community Health, Jewish Home for the Aged, and the Healthcare Association of New York State.

JENNIFER A. VADNEY, NeighborWorks® Southern New Hampshire

Jennifer A. Vadney has been with NeighborWorks® Southern New Hampshire since 2000, holding a variety of leadership roles. She oversees community planning and financial feasibility for multifamily development, manages current projects, and pursues new opportunities. She has been instrumental in the creation and redevelopment of more than 500 affordable rental units. Vadney also directs the organization’s community building, engagement initiatives, and tenant services coordination. She serves on the Housing and Community Development Planning Council at NH Housing and is a Commissioner with the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission.

BEN SOUTHWORTH, Garland Mill

Ben Southworth is a designer and builder based in northern New Hampshire, leading high-performance, sustainable architecture projects at Garland Mill, a worker-owned cooperative design–build firm. With more than 25 years of experience, he specializes in passive house and net-zero buildings, from custom homes and deep energy retrofits to affordable housing that strengthens rural communities. In addition to design and construction, Southworth advances cooperative business models that serve both people and the environment.

MARI BRUNNER, City of Keene

Mari Brunner is the Senior Planner for the City of Keene, bringing over 10 years of experience in urban and community planning. Throughout her career, she has led a wide range of complex projects and forward-thinking policy initiatives. These include updating Keene’s Comprehensive Master Plan, conducting a local housing needs assessment, and advancing policies to support “missing middle” housing. Brunner is especially passionate about making community voices central to the planning process. Her work emphasizes inclusive public engagement to build trust and strengthen local support for government decisions.

DANICA MILLER, Town of Peterborough

Danica Miller has served as Peterborough’s Director of Planning & Building since 2020, overseeing land use applications, master planning, zoning, and community development initiatives. She also serves as FEMA’s Floodplain Administrator and works closely with town boards and committees to guide planning efforts. Miller began her career with the Town of Fitzwilliam and North Country Council after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Tourism, Planning, and Development.

MATT GERDING, Mayor of Somersworth

Matt Gerding is the Mayor of Somersworth, a public school science teacher, and New Hampshire’s only openly LGBTQ mayor. A recognized housing champion, he launched the Somersworth Mayor’s Housing Taskforce in 2024 and has since driven major initiatives, including a new housing chapter of the Master Plan, expanded ADU allowances, and a housing and zoning audit with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. Under his leadership, Somersworth earned designation as a 2024 NH Housing Champion and received the 2024 Municipal Leadership Award from the Workforce Housing Coalition.

BART MCDONOUGH, Town of Newmarket

Bart McDonough has over 10-years of experience in the community development field, working and volunteering exclusively in the public and non-profit sectors. Specifically, he has an extensive background in regulatory reform, long-range planning, project review, and community facilitation. McDonough is currently the Director of Planning and Community Development for the Town of Newmarket, NH, and is in the midst of assisting the town develop reforms and policies that foster housing and sustainable economic development opportunities, improve community and climate resiliency, and promote cultural advancements.