About Us

The Concord Trust for the Enhancement of Public Education, a non-profit organization established in 1997, provides grants to fund innovative projects that enhance the educational experience in public schools in Concord, New Hampshire. Each year, The Concord Trust funds a variety of creative educational projects based upon grant requests made by Concord teachers, administrators, and staff.

The Concord Trust makes a difference in Concord’s public schools by encouraging innovation and collaboration. Several pilot programs initially funded by Concord Trust grants have been incorporated into the Concord School District curriculum. All of Concord’s schools have applied for and received grants from the Trust. Since its inception, the Trust has awarded grants totaling over $300,000. The Concord Trust for the Enhancement of Public Education is independent from the Concord School District, but works in collaboration with the Concord School Board and administration to ensure that grants complement the curriculum and facilities. The Trust is administered by a volunteer board of trustees and has no paid staff.

Mission

To promote and support innovation and enhance the public educational experience in the Concord School District by securing and granting funds to projects that strengthen public education.

Board Members

Kayla Page

Chair

Trustee: 2/2019 to 6/2026

Kayla Page joined the Concord Trust in 2017. Though employment in academia was not an intended career goal, Kayla has been fortunate to call SNHU home for the last 6 years. A life-long New-Englander, she comes to the board with almost 15 years of experience in the field of social work in a variety of settings including public education and family services. Kayla is thrilled to be part of an organization that supports public education.

Kristin O’Connor

Treasurer

Trustee: 12/2012 to 6/2024

Kristin O’Connor joined the Concord Trust in 2012. Kristin is excited to help out with the education of our students here in Concord. Being active at her children’s schools has always been important and becoming a board member for The Concord Trust seems like just the right fit. She has received the Point of Light recognition from Beaver Meadow twice and also the Champion for children award for her volunteer work at Beaver Meadow. Kristin is a mother of two and has been working as a Consultant for AAC, Inc. since 1998.

Kristen Zaffini

Secretary

Trustee: 11/2019 to 6/2025

Kristen Zaffini joined the Concord Trust in 2019. She is a graduate of Concord High School and moved back to Concord in 2004 where she currently lives with her husband and two daughters. Her children both attend Concord public schools and she thoroughly enjoys volunteering in their schools as much as possible. She worked for many years in the technology industry before transitioning to the financial services industry and currently works as a Paraplanner at a local financial services firm. Kristen is very excited to be working with the Trust to bring new and innovative ideas to the schools.

Ashlyn Hiley

Trustee: 9/2010 to 6/2024

Ashlyn Hiley has 2 children who attend Concord Public Schools. She is an active school volunteer, both in and out of the classroom. Ashlyn has a Masters in Social Work and focused her practice on therapy with young adults. Originally from New York, she moved to Concord with her family in 2005. She is thrilled to play a part in fostering innovation in Concord schools and loves to visit the schools to witness grants in action.

Pam Wicks

Trustee: 9/2016 to 6/2025

Pam Wicks joined the Concord Trust in 2016. Her community involvement began with volunteering for the Mill Brook and Broken Ground PTA and then moving on to supporting the Rundlett and Concord High drama clubs and music department. In addition to her volunteer commitments with the district and the Concord Trust, Pam actively contributes to the boards of RB Productions and Hearts for Kindness. She enjoys collaborating with the Trust to introduce new and innovative learning opportunities for the students of Concord School District.

Nancy Keane

Trustee: 9/2018 to 6/2024

Nancy Keane joined the Trust in 2018. She has lived in Concord for 29 years and has had two children go through the Concord Schools. Recently retired from Rundlett Middle School (RMS), Nancy is excited to serve on the Concord Trust whose mission is to support Concord teachers. She received seven Concord Trust grants during her years at RMS and joining the Board is a natural extension of her love of educational innovation and technology use for learning. After her retirement from RMS, Nancy served as a Museum Educator at the New Hampshire Historical Society. She volunteers in local museums and is currently writing another book.

Jillian Poole

Trustee: 09/2022 to 6/2026

Jillian Poole joined the Concord Trust in 2022.

Ashley Babladelis

Trustee: 9/2023 to 6/2026

Ashley Babladelis joined the Concord Trust in 2023. She lives in Concord with her husband and two children who attend Christa McAuliffe School. Ashley is passionate about supporting public educators and is thrilled to serve on the board of an organization whose mission is to support teachers with exciting and innovative ideas. Ashley is an active member of Christa McAuliffe School Parent Teacher Organization and loves building connections across Concord and NH. She works as a career advisor for Saint Anselm College.

Jennifer Thompson

Trustee: 9/2023 to 6/2026

Jennifer Thompson joined the Concord Trust in 2023. Jennifer was born and raised in Concord, attending Dewey, Kimball, Rundlett and CHS. Her son now attends Christa McAuliffe School (formerly Kimball) where Jennifer is actively involved as a volunteer and past board member of the PTO. Jennifer is passionate about giving back to the school community and was recently recognized as one of the 2023 Concord School District Champion for Children honorees for her volunteer work at CMS. She looks forward to seeing new and innovative ways to educate students in the schools through the grants awarded by the Trust. Jennifer currently works for Concord Hospital health system as their Compliance Director and lives in Concord with her husband and their son.

Courtney Raine

Trustee: 09/2023 to 6/2026

Courtney Raine joined the Concord Trust in 2023.

Previous Board Members

Maria Manus Painchaud (1997, founding member)
Douglas Hicks (1997, founding member)
Charles Leahy (1997, founding member)
James Miliken (1997, founding member)
Thomas O’Connor (1997, founding member)
Jodi Sturgeon (1997, founding member)
Christine Boezeman (1997-2004)
Valerie Riley (1997-2004)
Tara Reardon (pre-2002)
Pam Smith (pre-2002)
Susan Schoenfeld (pre-2002)
Jeff Zellers (pre-2002)
Gayle Braley (pre-2002)
Lisa Sands (2004) Vice Chair
Gena Cohen Moses (2004)
Bob Cummings (2004)
Ellen Koenig (2003) Chair
Steven Winer (2003) Secretary
Cynthia Rouvalis (2003) Treasurer
Pat Lang (2003) Vice Chair, Treasurer
Chris Teague (2003)
Val Perkins (2003)
Clint Cogswell (2006-2015)
Janna Cummings (2006-2009)
Connie Boyles Lane (2006-2012) Secretary
Doug McNutt (2005)
Maureen Redmond-Scura (2005-2014) Chair
Susan Sokul (2006)
Beth Vignati (2006-2011)
Patty Creedon (2007-2013) Treasurer
Charles Willing (2009-2012)
Leslie Joyner (2011-2017) Secretary
Harriet Kraybill (2012-2018) Chair, Vice Chair
Karen McClellan (2010-2016) Vice Chair
Andrea Golding (2012-2013)
Jane Berlin Pauley (2012-2013)
Matt Newland (2012-2012)
Kristin Phillips (2013-2015)
Jeffrey Shaw (2009-2013)
Susan Zimmermann (2014-2017)
Roger Brooks (2010-2019)
Jenn Eggers (2011-2019)
Liza Dube (2019)
Alyssa Huntington-Martin (2019 – 2021)
Julianne Gadoury (2019 – 2021)
Susan Reynolds (2015 – 2022)
Jen Walton (2017 – 2022)
Hallie Pentheny (2021 – 2022)
Adam Lesser (2009 – 2023)
Tina Annis (2016 – 2024)