NHCJE Welcomes New Board Members and Staff During a Summer of Growth

The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) experienced a season of growth and transition this summer, welcoming new members to its Board of Directors, expanding its staff, and shifting leadership roles to strengthen the organization’s capacity for the work ahead across New Hampshire.

New Perspectives on NHCJE’s Board

In July, NHCJE welcomed two new Board members, Karina Bonilla and Jasmine Torres Allen, whose professional experiences reflect the organization’s commitment to community, access, and connection.

Karina Bonilla has built her career around community engagement and supporting the Greater Manchester community. After moving to New Hampshire in 2017, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member before working through Saint Anselm College’s Meelia Center for Community Engagement, where she partnered with community organizations and the Manchester School District. She later earned a Master of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and served as Program & Policy Director for Centro Latino de New Hampshire. She has since returned to Saint Anselm as Interim Director of the Intercultural Center while maintaining her connection to Centro Latino. Karina lives in Manchester with her husband, Jason, and her dog, Joseph.

Jasmine Torres Allen brings a complementary set of experiences to the Board. A bilingual communications professional, chef, and entrepreneur, Jasmine has worked across digital media, community organizations, kitchens, and creative spaces. Her work focuses on strengthening connections through language access, food, arts, and media literacy. Her experience moving between industries and communities has given her a broad perspective on how communication and culture can bring people together. Jasmine lives in Hollis with her two children and three cats and remains closely connected to Puerto Rico, food, and music.

Together, Karina and Jasmine add new perspectives on community engagement, policy work, communications, and cultural connection to NHCJE’s Board of Directors.

Jo Porter Returns to Senior Strategic Advisor Role

NHCJE also welcomed a new chapter in its senior leadership this summer. In early July, Jo Porter transitioned from her role as Chief Strategy Officer and returned to her original position as Senior Strategic Advisor. This change allowed Jo to return to a consulting role in transformational work in the healthcare arena

Jo has been a foundational part of NHCJE’s development and leadership. Her return to the Senior Strategic Advisor role allows the organization to continue drawing on her experience and expertise while supporting the organization’s evolving needs. In her current role, Jo provides counsel and guidance across NHCJE’s work.

Expanding Research and Policy Expertise

In early August, Nicole Heller, PhD, joined NHCJE as Director of Outcomes and Reporting, bringing more than two decades of experience in research, higher education, and public policy.

Nicole began her career working with infants with prenatal opioid exposure while earning her PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Maine. She went on to spend a decade in academia, teaching developmental psychology and research methods at Colby-Sawyer College and Siena College.

Her work later shifted toward public policy. As a senior policy analyst at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, Nicole focused on child and family policy and traveled throughout the state presenting on issues including early care and education, K-12 education, and higher education.

Nicole also brings experience in nonprofit and community leadership through her service on the board of Reaching Higher New Hampshire, the Colby-Sawyer College Institutional Review Board, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Development Research Advisory Council. A Manchester resident, Nicole lives with her husband and two sons.

That combination of research, teaching, and policy experience directly supports NHCJE's ability to measure, evaluate, and communicate the impact of its programs and initiatives.

A Planned Transition in Finance and Administration

On September 14, Michele Stone joined NHCJE as its new Director of Finance & Administration. She has spent her career in higher education and brings more than 25 years of experience in finance.

Michelle earned her MBA from the University of New Hampshire and holds dual undergraduate degrees in Business and Elementary Education from Skidmore College. Her professional experience combines financial expertise with an understanding of mission-driven organizations, which are valuable for her new role at NHCJE. She is fluent in French and enjoys baking, reading, and spending time in the woods.

Michele is inspired by NHCJE’s mission and thrilled to be part of the team. Her arrival begins a planned transition for Marie Tule, who has led NHCJE’s finance and administrative work since the organization’s founding. Marie is mentoring and guiding Michele through this period, sharing her institutional knowledge and helping ensure a smooth handoff before her retirement in fall 2026.

Building Capacity for NHCJE’s Work to Continue

The announcements of the past several months reflect the continued growth of NHCJE’s team and leadership. New voices and perspectives are joining colleagues who have helped shape the organization’s work over the years, creating an opportunity to build on that shared experience.

Together, NHCJE’s staff and Board bring a range of knowledge, relationships, and perspectives to the organization’s work, united by a commitment to advancing justice and equity across New Hampshire.