Leadership NH Names Will Stewart as New Executive Director

Leadership NH, a nonprofit program dedicated to educating NH's leaders about the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the state, appointed Will Stewart, previously executive director of Stay Work Play NH, as its next executive director. He will succeed Stephen Reno, who has led the organization since 2010.

Stewart was selected following following a comprehensive search. For the past seven years, he was the executive director of Stay Work Play NH, a nonprofit dedicated to making it easier for young people to stay, work and play in NH. Previously, Stewart was the president and CEO of the Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber and vicepPresident of Economic Development & Advocacy at the Greater Manchester Chamber.

Stewart and Reno have common ties thorugh Stay Work Play NH. Reno served as chancellor of the University System of NH from 2000 to 2009 and led the 55% Initiative to retain 55% of NH's college graduates to work in the state, which spawned a Governor's Task Force on Young Worker Retention and the creation of Stay Work Play NH. Reno was an incorporator of Stay Work Play NH. 

"We are excited to welcome Will to LNH,” says Mica Stark, vice chair of the LNH board of trustees and chair of the search committee. "Will really impressed the search committee with his knowledge of New Hampshire and the issues it is facing, as well as his track record leading nonprofits and successfully engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders.”

Stewart says he is honored and excited to lead LNH, which counts more than 1,100 past and present Granite State leaders among its alumni.

“I also feel an incredible sense of responsibility,” Stewart says. “Leadership New Hampshire is the state’s premier leadership organization and I look forward to working with the Board, staff, alumni, and partners across the state to help lead LNH into the next phase of its development.”