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CelebrateHER Awards Announce 2026 Winners

Chamber News

Our CelebrateHER Awards are presented by Service Credit Union in partnership with the Women’s Business League 





PORTSMOUTH—Following an outpouring of peer nominations and deliberation by the CelebrateHER Committee, the winners have been selected for the Third Annual CelebrateHER Awards Luncheon, presented by Service Credit Union in partnership with the Women’s Business League. 

CelebrateHER was created to shine a spotlight on women who lead with courage, creativity, and purpose throughout the Seacoast community and honor women whose work is strengthening businesses, nonprofits, and the region as a whole. 

The CelebrateHER Awards Luncheon will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Venue at Portwalk Place in Portsmouth. To join us at the awards luncheon, purchase tickets at www.portsmouthcollaborative.org/CelebrateHER.  
 
Nominations spanned a wide range of industries and organization sizes, with heartfelt and inspiring submissions representing both large and small businesses. While not every nominee could be selected this year, the CelebrateHER Awards continue to grow, and we look forward to recognizing even more incredible women in the years ahead. 

Stay tuned for announcements about our upcoming CelebrateHER Enrichment Series, designed to continue supporting and connecting women year-round. 
 

2026 CelebrateHER Award Winners 

Large Business Award Presented by Newburyport Bank 
Jen Stebbins Thomas, PROCON 
Recognizing leadership, tenacity, and strength in organizations with more than 50 employees 
Jennifer Stebbins Thomas is an owner and director of PROCON, the fourth-generation to lead the 91-year-old family business, where she oversees financial strategy and critical partnerships. Jen is also a partner at XSS Hotels, leading financial and legal strategy and securing over $1 billion in hospitality financing. In 2022, she co-founded Tidemark, a commercial real estate investment firm. A Dartmouth graduate, Jen is deeply committed to community service and board leadership. Jen currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees for Waypoint, the oldest child-and-family-focused non-profit in New Hampshire. She also holds positions on the Greater Boston Directors Advisory Council at M&T Bank and as a Corporator of Bangor Savings Bank.  
 

Small But MIGHTY Business Award Presented by First Seacoast Bank: Lisa Keslar, Keslar Insurance 
Honoring innovation, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit in businesses with fewer than 50 employees 
Lisa Keslar is a co-owner of Keslar Insurance, an independent insurance agency serving individuals, families, and businesses across New Hampshire and beyond. She focuses on building a relationship-driven organization rooted in trust, advocacy, and long-term thinking. In addition to her role at Keslar, Lisa serves as a lecturer at the University of New Hampshire’s Paul College of Business, where she teaches courses in strategy and entrepreneurship. Deeply committed to community, Lisa is actively involved in local organizations and women’s leadership initiatives and is passionate about creating meaningful connections that support growth, resilience, and shared success.    
  

Outside the Box Award: Anne Weidman, Access Navigators 
Celebrating resilience, creativity, and originality in an unconventional career 
Through professional, volunteer, and civic roles, Anne Weidman has advanced accessibility, inclusion, and equity across Portsmouth and the Seacoast. As director of Community Engagement at JSA Design, Anne led the firm’s engagement on projects for Gather, Haven, Crossroads House, Community Campus, and Strawbery Banke. As a trustee and volunteer at Strawbery Banke, she expanded inclusive skating access for underserved populations. Through Access Navigators, the Economic Development Commission and Portsmouth Citywide initiatives, Anne has improved public spaces, events, and planning processes, demonstrating that accessibility is not a special accommodation but a fundamental measure of healthy, resilient communities. 


Non-Profit Leader Award: Heidi Carrington Heath, New Hampshire Outright 
Recognizing exemplary leadership and a commitment to community impact 
Heidi Carrington Heath (she/her) is the executive director of NH Outright, New Hampshire's LGBTQ+ youth organization, and the host organization of Portsmouth Pride. One of her favorite parts of her work is partnering with the Chamber Collaborative to help make the promise of the City of the Open Door a reality. NHO works for a Granite State where all young people can be seen, be heard, and be themselves. Heidi has worked in the non-profit sector in New Hampshire for over a decade. She is also a trained chaplain, ordained clergy, and an avid reader. When she isn't in the office, you can find Heidi frequenting our local independent bookstores, enjoying the incredible food scene here on the Seacoast, or visiting the ocean. She makes her home on the Seacoast with her spouse, her sister, and two cats with big personalities.



Stay tuned for announcements about our upcoming CelebrateHER Enrichment Series, designed to continue supporting and connecting women year-round. 

Please come to our Feb. 4 luncheon, where you will learn a great deal more about what makes these women really special! In addition, we will be honoring three women on pathways in the Career Technical Education program at Portsmouth High School. 

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Thank you to our generous sponsors: 


Service Credit Union, Novocure, First Seacoast Bank, Newburyport Bank, Kennebunk Savings, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Great Northern Builders, Centrus Digital, Portsmouth City Lifestyle, Northeast Delta Dental, The DRIPBaR Portsmouth 
 

 And the Nominees are...

 

 Large Business Nominees –


· Brooke Murphy Corcoran, MSW – Portsmouth Police Department

· Dr. Cheryl Lesser – Great Bay Community College

· Jen Stebbins Thomas, PROCON

· Angela Salb- MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank)

· Brandi McKay Berry – Service Credit Union

· Kim Merrill Wood – Davis and Towle (Tobey& Merrill)

· Tanya Hart- Owner, OOMph Salon & Ash Alchemy Spa

· Robin Baker – Mortgage loan office, Loan Depot

And the winner is – Jen Stebbins Thomas, PROCON

 

Small but MIGHTY Business nominees



· Adrienne Waterman – The Library Restaurant

· Maura Martino- Affordable Health Solutions

· Mia Bragdon – Vivid Commerce

· Elisa Holben – Winter Holben

· Kali Moulton – Sages Entertainment

· Darci Knowles – Darci Creative

· Suzanne Foley – Port City Pretzels

· Lara Gibson – Studio 333

· Jennifer Wilder – Altitude

· Nadja Fromm- Fromm Consulting

· Lisa Keslar – Co Owner, Keslar Insurance

· Naomi Andrick – Owner, Thrive Meals

· Jennie Bishop – White Wave Photography

And the winner is – Lisa Keslar, Keslar Insurance
 

Non-Profit Nominees


· Ilysse Sirmaian – The Music Hall

· Heidi Carrington Heath – NH Outright

· Carrie Penna – Soul Models

· Carla Cole – No Brain is the Same

· Jane Bard – Children’s Museum of NH

· Rochelle Jewell – Seacoast area Teachers of Yoga in Action

· Kerry Folkins – Granite United Way

· Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society

· Kate Constantine – Gather

· Jeanette Souther, Monarch School of New England

· Allison Battles, Victoria's Victory Foundation


And the winner is – Heidi Carrington Heath- NH Outright
 

Outside the Box Nominees


· Caleigh MacPherson – Tartan Tactics LLC

· Anne Weidman- Access Navigators

· Meg Raiano, recreative + Co

· Nadine Hill, Balance In your Business

· Nadja Fromm – Fromm Consulting

And the winner is – Anne Weidman – Access Navigators/ Portsmouth Master Plan Update
 

CelebrateHER Awards Announce 2026 Winners