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Jennifer manages business groups in Concord, Derry and the Seacoast area, in addition to fostering business skill development among artists through the ArtWorks-NH program. She also maintains partnerships with local, regional and state economic and community development organizations.
Prior to her work with MicroCredit-NH, Jennifer was employed in the Manufactured Housing Park Program of the Community Loan Fund. She worked in the affordable housing sector, where she counseled consumers on their credit reports, edited newsletters, organized special projects and planned statewide conferences.
Jennifer has a Bachelors Degree with a special concentration in literature, film and art from the University of New Hampshire, Durham. While an undergraduate at UNH, Jennifer worked as a crisis advocate with the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP), a non-profit organization with a mission to prevent violence and assault in the community through public awareness and education.
She is a member of Toastmasters International, a professional public speaking club. Jennifer is also an artist and writer, primarily contributing her work to travel publications.
Before joining MicroCredit-NH in April 2000, Janet
served as Executive Director of Newfound Economic
Development Corporation (NEDC), where she worked with
communities, businesses and schools to foster economic
development opportunities in the Newfound Lake Region of
NH. Programs at NEDC included partnership with the
Newfound Area School District to develop a main street
business for at-risk students to obtain on-the-job
training in bicycle repair, retail management and
customer service; a community website initiative with
development and design performed by high school
students; and other school-to-work collaboratives. Other
business niche markets were served by specialized forums
and programming such as “Artists and Artisans” and
“Women in Business.”
At NEDC, Janet most enjoyed her
consultant work with business start-ups as they
developed business plans, so that they might secure
financing to achieve their business dreams. “It is a
great feeling when you see the little successes along
the way bring such great joy,” explains Janet.
At
MicroCredit-NH, she continues this work by facilitating
workshops and providing support and resources to
business group members in her region.
Peggy O’Keefe joined the MicroCredit-NH team in September of 2008. She works with members and partners in the Southern region of the state, covering Claremont to Manchester.
Peggy has a wealth of experience in business development and the non-profit sector. She came to MicroCredit-NH from the Keene Senior Center, where she served as Director. Peggy worked with over 560 members and brought new exercise programs to the Center, including belly-dancing and hula, among other dance programs. Under her direction, the Center was the first to implement a computer learning center, which was designed specifically for this population.
For 18 years, Peggy worked for family-owned small businesses, including a marina and video stores. More recently, she was the Disaster Director for the American Red Cross in Leominster, MA and did extensive work in Mississippi with Hurricane Katrina. Peggy has maintained Red Cross volunteer status for 20 years and continues to assist in Disaster Relief nationwide.
Peggy’s hobbies include quilting and embroidery embellishment, and all needle arts. She is a grandmother of two little girls, has three adult children and has lived in Rindge for the past 23 years with her husband, Bob.
Joyce Presby brings a diverse set of skills to the MicroCredit-NH team. Before working for MicroCredit-NH, she owned her own business, The Xchange Connection. She was one of the first WREN graduates; a member of the Board of Directors of WREN; and a member of a Working Capital (now MicroCredit-NH) peer-lending group, WRENa$ense.
Joyce has also been employed by a Fortune 500 company, Digital Equipment Corporation (now Hewlett Packard) in Merrimack, where she worked with Software Documentation and Licensing for seven years. Previous experience also includes temporary services in medical, dental, plastic making, manufacturing and statistical analysis, with a concentration in accounting and bookkeeping. She holds a Bachelors degree in Management Advisory Services from New Hampshire College and an Associates degree from Mohegan Community College.
MicroCredit-NH provides Joyce a chance to use the skills she acquired in college and to share her knowledge with those eager to develop their businesses. With four children now pursuing their own careers, Joyce has time to blend work with her favorite recreational activities, including skiing, camping, and spending time with her grandchildren.
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