About Us
The Granite State Human Resources Conference is supported by and produced by the HR State Council of New Hampshire. The Council is dedicated to the professional growth of HR professionals.
We bring Human Resource Professionals together from all types of companies and organizations, vendors, and educational experts to promote HR knowledge, networking, and the HR profession.
Stay on top of the current HR Professional demands at New Hampshire’s only statewide conference for HR professionals and practitioners.
Mission
By planning, organizing, and delivering a high standard, timely, and industry relevant conference to human resource professionals and their colleagues, the Granite State Human Resources Conference is committed to providing a venue that stimulates the acquisition, transfer, and enhancement of knowledge, professional development, increased social capital, and enhanced networks. This is accomplished through securing high quality program and seminar presenters; providing access to industry specific vendors; and engaging in support activities
Vision
The Conference is committed to providing a venue that stimulates thinking, generates new ideas, offers timely and relevant information and opportunities for networking to enhance the professional development of HR professionals and their colleagues. We accomplish this by selecting high quality speakers and seminar presenters who have national stature and expertise in their field. Participants will also have access to products and programs available through business partners representing benefits providers, training sources, recruitment resources, and may other HR related vendors.
HR State Council of New Hampshire
Conference Volunteers
Hope Kelly
Director
Hope Kelly is the Director of Human Resources at Granite State Manufacturing. and has 25+ years of experience in the Human Resources field. As a key member of the senior management team, she leads the efforts to create career paths within the organization, to keep our best people motivated and growing, maximizing their value for themselves, for the organization, and for our customers. She develops and prepares the next generation of skilled workers for GSM. Hope also directs Total Rewards, Legal Compliance, Internal Accountability and Overall Human Resources and Training across the company. Functioning as part of the integrated team, she works to reduce and eliminate barriers and obstacles to improve overall cost and schedule performance. Hope initiated the first apprenticeship program in the Manchester area for Machining. Her background includes healthcare, wholesale food distribution, retail, medical device and defense manufacturing, giftware, electronics, consumer goods and fashion industries. Hope is a past President of the Manchester Area Human Resources Association (MAHRA) and has held MAHRA Board positions as Workforce Readiness and Professional Development Chairs and has served on many committees. She has also served in the past role as Certification Chair on the SHRM HR State Council of NH. Hope serves on the New Hampshire Tech Alliance Workforce Development Committee. She has her bachelor’s degree in management from Merrimack College and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) as well as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
.jpg)
Amy Wright
Secretary
Amy Wright SHRM-CP, PHR Director of Administration, Keene Housing Amy is the Director of Administration at Keene Housing and has 20+ years of experience in the Human Resources field. She is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for all aspects of human resources including benefits administration, employee relations, staffing, compliance, compensation, and payroll. She is also responsible for Keene Housing’s property and casualty insurance portfolio, governance, social media, website administration and oversight of IT. Amy has been a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2006 and currently serves as the Past President of the Greater Monadnock Society for Human Resources Management, Secretary of the HR State Council of New Hampshire, and President of Dental Health Works. In addition, she is an active member of Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (MDEIB) Workplace Resource Committee and Impact Monadnock Business Ambassadors. Amy has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Keene State College and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Society for Human Resource Management Certified Practitioner (SHRM-CP). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her two golden retrievers.
Jennifer Kinville
Program Director
Jessica LaPaglia
State Director Elect
Margaret "Peg" O'Brien
Government Relations & Legislative Chair
Jennifer Kinville, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is the AVP of Human Resources at Eastern Propane & Oil. She has 25 years of experience in HR in a variety of roles and appreciates being part of an employee-focused culture with a commitment to leadership development. Jenn is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Seacoast Human Resources Association (SHRA). She has served on the HR State Council of NH Board and was awarded the HR Hero Award in 2014. In addition to her HR Certifications, Jenn earned a BS in Human Services and an MBA. She loves silly jokes (you can’t spell humor without HR) and enjoys being involved with and giving back to the HR community.
Jessica brings over 25 years of experience Human Resources and Recruiting. Jessica is the Regional Director of Leddy Group a privately owned, regional staffing company based in Northern New England. Jessica’s specialty is Human Resources staffing, in addition she leads a team of Administrative, Accounting & Finance, Skilled Manufacturing & Light Industrial recruiters for the Central NH area. Jessica has been a part of Leddy Group, which is also a sister company to Work Opportunities Unlimited, since 2005. She is passionate about placing people into the right jobs! Jessica previously worked for Shaw's Supermarkets as a Regional Human Resources Manager throughout New Hampshire. Jessica is a volunteer leader for the HR community in New Hampshire. Currently serving as the Membership Director for the SHRM, NH State Council and as the Professional Development Director for the Manchester Area Human Resources Association. She also served as the Programs Director for the Greater Nashua Human Resources Association for 5 years. She is a proud Alum of Notre, Dame College with a BA in Elementary /Special Education. In her spare time, you will find her hiking, running, biking, or traveling with friends and family and 2 dogs. She is certified as a PHR and SHRM-C and appreciates the support the chapters receive from the State Council and am excited about serving on the Board.
Peg assists employers with legal compliance and risk management in all phases of the employment relationship, as well as defense of employers in matters pending before government agencies and courts. On a regular basis, Peg assists company executives, human resources professionals and supervisors with routine employment law concerns. She can be reached at margaret.obrien@mclane.com.
Michelle Gray
Conference Chair
Melissa Fisk
Marketing Director
Nancy Rowell
Treasurer
Michelle has 25 years of HR Professional experience, most recently as Founder and President of HR Synergy, LLC. Michelle’s background includes businesses varying in size up to 1,500 employees and multiple states. Michelle is an active member of Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), Greater Nashua Human Resource Association (GNHRA), Manchester Chamber of Commerce, NH Center for Non-Profits, and Massachusetts Non-Profit Network. Michelle is excited to work on the SC Short and Long-Term strategy for our Marketing/Social Media efforts. Founder & President of HR Synergy, LLC (603) 261-2402 Michelle.Gray@HRSynergyLLC.com
Melissa Fisk has been a Human Resources professional since 2001 and currently serves as the Chief People Officer at HealthFirst Family Care Center, a non-profit community health center with locations in Franklin, Laconia, and Canaan, New Hampshire. Since transitioning to the non-profit sector, Melissa has become deeply passionate about helping people find purpose and fulfillment in their work. In her role, Melissa is responsible for shaping and executing HealthFirst’s HR strategy, which recently included the expansion of two clinics and the seamless integration of staff from two acquired practices into the HealthFirst culture. Melissa currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord and is an Advisory Board Member for the Business Program of the Concord Regional Technical Center. Previously, Melissa volunteered with HRAGC as Programs Committee Chair and is a current member of MAHRA. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and maintains her SHRM-CP and PHR certifications. Melissa lives in Concord, New Hampshire, with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys cardio kickboxing and reading.
For the full list of the NH State Council Leaders, click HERE
