NH Bankers Celebrate Completion of Inaugural Leadership Foundations Program with UNH
CONCORD, New Hampshire – The New Hampshire Bankers Association, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, marked the successful completion of the inaugural Leadership Foundations Program, a six-month initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in New Hampshire’s banking industry.
Launched in January 2025, the program brought together 13 emerging leaders from member banks across the state. Co-sponsored by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the Community Bankers Association of New Hampshire, Inc., the program offered a dynamic blend of leadership development, industry training, and experiential learning.
Participants engaged in a series of curated events, including:
- NH Bankers Capitol Day, offering firsthand exposure to legislative processes at the State House
- Leadership training at UNH Paul College, led by faculty experts Dr. Bill Hassey Ed.D., Peter Lane, PhD, Jennifer Griffith, PhD, and Dr. Tuck Pescosolido, PhD
- Banking industry modules, culminating in a hands-on Banque Simulation competition facilitated by David Sidon, CPA of Navis Partners Group with support from Peter Strudz, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, Ledyard Bank
The final session and bank simulation competition was attended by Emelia Galdieri, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Banking Department. Each team was supported by advisors as they navigated different scenarios, including interest rate changes, who currently serve as CFOs of local banks, including:
- Jason Hicks, EVP/Chief Financial & Risk Officer, NH Mutual Bancorp
- Richard Lyon, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, Passumpsic Bank
- Jessica Price, SVP & CFO, Franklin Savings Bank
- Thomas Wiggins, CFO, Millyard Bank
Kristy Merrill, President & CEO of NH Bankers, said, “We are grateful to UNH as our partner to further develop leaders in the banking industry, and to our sponsors, instructors, and participating banks. Few realize the variety of tracks and the rewarding careers available in banking. It is a dynamic and crucial field, where most jobs don’t require a degree in Finance. The banking industry needs marketing, human resources, information technology, in addition to lenders and more and this course will help continue to develop those leaders. We can’t wait for next year’s program.”
Jennifer Griffith PhD, Associate Professor at UNH Paul College states, “Unlike generic leadership training programs, the NH Bankers leadership development experience is built around the real challenges leaders face every day. It’s not a plug-and-play model—it’s a customized journey. In my session on Communication, participants brought their own real-life scenarios, which became the foundation for our exercises and discussions. That level of personalization makes the program not only practical but truly transformative, because leaders leave having worked through their actual challenges.”
Peter Lane, PhD, Professor of Strategy & Strategic Leadership at UNH Paul College states, “Years ago, banking was considered a stable and predictable industry. Today, banks, like all organizations, are faced with an increasing rate of change from an expanding range of sources. Understanding and handling change effectively is now a part of every manager’s and leader’s role. It has become an essential skill. This program works at developing those skills and requires understanding both the mental and emotional aspects of change.”
2025 Leadership Foundations Class Participants include:
- Lisa Bierweiler-Franks, Savings Bank of Walpole
- Kate Callinan, Ledyard National Bank
- Kristel Davis, Mascoma Bank
- Krystal Follansbee, Bank of New Hampshire
- Caleb Haley, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
- Ivana Maxwell, Merrimack County Savings Bank
- Michael Milano, River Run Bancorp, MHC
- Allen O'Brien, River Run Bancorp, MHC
- Becky Reposa, Meredith Village Savings Bank
- Anthony Reynolds, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
- Kathryn Settipane, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp
- Xondra Smith, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
- Steven Sprague, First Seacoast Bank
The participants will be recognized with certificates presented at an upcoming luncheon on October 16th.
Standing L-R: Allen O'Brien, River Run Bancorp, MHC; Lisa Bierweiler-Franks, Savings Bank of Walpole; Becky Reposa, Meredith Village Savings Bank; Mentor Jessica Price, Franklin Savings Bank; Xondra Smith, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust; Anthony Reynolds, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust; Kristel Davis, Mascoma Bank; Mentor Tom Wiggins, Millyard Bank; Caleb Haley, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust; Mentor Rich Lyon, Passumpsic Bank; Steven Sprague, First Seacoast Bank; Kathryn Settipane, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp; Krystal Follansbee, Bank of New Hampshire; Michael Milano, River Run Bancorp, MHC; Kate Callinan, Ledyard Bank; Mentor, Jason Hicks, NH Mutual Bancorp; Sandy Tracy, SVP/COO, NH Bankers Association.
Seated L-R: Ivana Maxwell, Merrimack County Savings Bank; Emily Galdieri, NH State Banking Commissioner; Kristy Merrill, President and CEO of NH Bankers Association; Dave Sidon, of Navis Partners Group and Peter Strudz of Ledyard Bank.