Rochester's George Bald one of six joining NH Charitable Foundation board

George Bald (Courtesy photo New Hampshire Charitable Foundation)

ROCHESTER - George Bald of Rochester is one of five from across the state and Vermont who have joined the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's 16-member board of directors.

The other four include Peter Bergh, Jada Keye Hebra, Dottie Morris and Jenny Williams.

Bald is the former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. He also served as Economic Development Director for the City of Rochester and Pease Development Authority. A Navy veteran and former mayor of Somersworth, Bald has also served on the boards of Granite Bank and the PDA.

Bergh, of Portsmouth, has a long history of service helping to lead the foundation: He was a board member for eight years, including two years as foundation board chair and two as vice-chair. He also served as founding chair of the Foundation's Impact Investment committee. Bergh is a retired partner at Prince Communications, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards in New Hampshire, including The Music Hall, the Southeast Land Trust of NH, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Hebra, of Manchester, is senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Southern New Hampshire University. She spent 25 years working in the private secondary school sector designing and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives while also serving in leadership roles. A licensed restorative practice trainer, certified project manager, and trained leader with the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), Hebra works to advance strategic diversity and inclusion goals so that SNHU's vision of accessible, affordable and transformative education for all can be realized.

Dr. Morris, of Keene, is Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Keene State College and a member of the Keene State President's Cabinet. She provides support and direction to the Executive, Academic Affairs, Enrollment and Student Engagement, Advancement, and Finance and Administration divisions of the college as the institution works to fulfill its commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. She has decades of experience in education. She is a Carsey Fellow for NH Listens and serves as chair of the board of ACLU-NH.

Williams, of Norwich, Vt, is a Joint Venture Partner with hotel development firm Norwich Partners. She founded and served as executive director of Finding Our Stride, a nonprofit aimed at empowering Upper Valley youth through free afterschool running programs that boost fitness, self-esteem and resilience; and connects kids to peers, mentors and community. She has also worked in higher education fundraising and has served on the boards of and chaired several human services, arts, and health organizations in Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Charitable Foundation's Board of Directors is the governing board for the statewide nonprofit community foundation, overseeing grantmaking, finances, stewardship of philanthropic resources and Foundation initiatives. The board's members are leaders who represent a wide variety of experience and accomplishments in the public, private and nonprofit sectors in New Hampshire.

The Board of Directors also confirmed its officers: Joe Morone, chair; Barbara Couch, vice chair; Evelyn Aissa, secretary; Sarah Mattson Dustin, treasurer; and Pawn Nitichan, at-large Executive Committee member.