Our Team

The NH Center for Justice & Equity’s Board of Directors is intentional, intersectional, self-reflective, and aware. The Board of Directors includes 10 members and is diverse across all strata, including race/ethnicity, age, gender, geography, sector, etc., possessing the necessary balance and understanding structure and governance and innovation and risk.

The inaugural slate of Directors’ terms has been staggered with 1-, 2- & 3-year commitments with an option to renew for one (1) additional year.

Board of Directors

Staff

Anthony Poore, President & CEO

Anthony Poore

Anthony Poore has worked in support of transformative systems change and equitable and sustainable communities for more than 30 years as a community organizer and economic development practitioner, academic, workforce housing and public health advocate, policy analyst, researcher and executive addressing the needs of New Hampshire’s urban and rural low-and moderate-income communities.  He launched AP Consulting Group in 2021, working with traditional and non-traditional financial institutions and community-based organizations to identify and develop mutually beneficial public-private community economic development projects. From 2018 to January 2021, Poore served as the Executive Director of New Hampshire Humanities, an affiliated organization of the National Endowment for the Humanities. From 2010 – 2018, Poore worked with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, in a variety of leadership roles, directing research and policy initiatives of the Boston Fed’s Regional and Community Outreach Department. Prior to that, Poore, served as the Assistant Dean for Southern New Hampshire University’s School of Economic Development.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, and Walden Mutual Bank.

Josephine (Jo) Porter, Chief Strategy Officer

Josephine (Jo) Porter, MPH

Josephine (Jo) Porter, MPH, has over 20 years’ experience in public health, program development, grant management, and leadership. She spent 15 years with the Institute for Health Policy and Practice at the University of New Hampshire, serving as the Director for over seven years. She was part of the leadership team that guided IHPP through periods of significant growth in team and portfolio.

Jo has served nationally as the co-chair of the All-Payer Claims Database Council and part of Academy Health’s State-University Partnership Learning Network (SUPLN). She was on the SUPLN steering committee, serving a term as the Chair. Jo has held appointments at the state and federal levels on a variety of committees.

Jo is a self-proclaimed data geek with a passion for health data collection, dissemination, and using data to effectively inform effective decision and policy making.

Jo earned her Master of Public Health degree with dual concentrations in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and Social/Behavioral Health from Boston University, with honors. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a minor in Health Management and Policy.

Jo currently sits on the Board of Directors for the NH Fiscal Policy Institute and the Leadership Team for the NH Food Alliance.

Marie Tule, Director, Finance & Administration

Marie Tule

Marie Tule has been involved with nonprofits for over 20 years.  She has worked 20+ years in public accounting handling numerous nonprofit audit, tax, and consulting engagements, five years with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and 15+ years with the Melanson CPA firm, now part of Markum LLP. During this time, she has also documented internal controls over contributions (pledges and receipts), ensured IRS compliance with reporting requirements, and tested controls over how restricted contributions are tracked and spent.  During the last eight years, Marie was the Finance Director for a nonprofit that received large restricted grants, and she verified the grants were spent in accordance with grantor wishes.

Calvin Carey, Communications Coordinator

Calvin Carey graduated in 2023 from the University of Rochester after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies and a minor in Audio Music Engineering. While studying UI/UX design and creative marketing, he served as the Alumni Coordinator for the college radio station WRUR.

In his free time he enjoys reading and going on walks through the woods with his dog, Lily.

2023 - 2024 Interns

Brea Hampston

Brea Hampton

Brea is a true community enthusiast and takes great pride in being involved in various initiatives that bring about positive change. She firmly believes in helping those in need and advocating for individuals who may not have a voice of their own. It's this unwavering passion that has fueled her desire to work in the healthcare field and ultimately become a nurse. When she's not busy making a difference in people's lives, Brea finds solace and joy in playing the cello. It's her way of unwinding and embracing her artistic side.

Kathryn (Kate) Hocevar

Kathryn (Kate) Hocevar is a Junior attending West Virginia University. She is majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Marketing, with special interests in social media and activism. Kate is a current member of WVU’s Women in Business club, as well as the Marketing Committee. She is applying the skills she has learned at school to project management and communications work for the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity. 

Matthew Lambert

Matthew Lambert attends Wheaton College, where he majors in Visual Art, and minors in the Political Economy. Matthew's current work centers around his identity as a Korean American, adoption, and one's relationship to home and displacement. Matthew's goal at NHCJE is to help build the visual foundation of the center that will result in meaningful change down the line.

Noah Merrow

Noah Merrow is a Junior at Marist College, pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in General Communications. Additionally, Noah is a member of the Marist College American Bar Association approved Paralegal Certification program. With his interests in Policy, Government and Politics, during his time with the NHCJE, Noah is working on helping to develop the policy platform, among other things. 

Serenity Newton

Serenity Newton

Serenity has been an active participant in her community since middle school. Serenity has always had a passion for helping others, and takes great pride in making a positive impact on those around her. Serenity is a senior at Manchester Central High School, eagerly looking forward to pursuing a career in welding. One of Serenity's notable achievements is her role as an executive member of her school's Student Advocacy Committee. Through this position, she has developed strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of the importance of advocating for the needs of her peers.

Additionally, Serenity is also a talented musician, playing the bass at Central High School and various ensemble at the Manchester Community Music School . In 2023 she received the award of Most Valuable Player at the UNH Clark Terry Jazz Festival and scored the highest for the NH All State Jazz Festival in 2024.

MaryGrace Benjamin

MaryGrace Benjamin attends Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She is completing a Liberal Arts degree and exploring different academic interests.

MaryGrace is driven to learn everything about the human condition, from the way our brains work to the way our societies work. She is passionate about social justice, particularly within the criminal justice system. She is excited to use her experiences at NHCJE to inform her future academic and vocational opportunities.

Outside of academic pursuits, MaryGrace spends most of her time doing creative work, whether that be at her job as a cook in a plant-based restaurant or creating visual art by photographing her surroundings.