While we formed a Champions Council to create the legal authority needed to contract with consultants, the real work of Manchester Proud is undertaken by volunteers from our community, businesses, nonprofit organizations, city, and schools. Below you’ll find our current Champions Council members as well as those who served on the founding Champions Council.

Champions Council

Officers:

  • Chair: Katie Labranche, Title 1 Reading Supervisor, Manchester School District (P)
  • President: Sandra Almonte, Owner, Don Quijote Restaurant (P)
  • Treasurer: Donna Crook, Director of Accountability and Research, Southern NH University;  Data Analyst Manchester School District
  • Secretary: Donna Papanikolau, English Learner Teacher, Manchester School District

Members:

  • Natalie Barney, Access Coordinator, New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance
  • Kathy Cook, Former Director, Bean Foundation (P)
  • Antonio Feliciano, Director of Operations, Manchester Boys & Girls Club (P)
  • Dr. Jennifer Gillis, Superintendent, Manchester School District
  • Peter Gustafson, Deputy Director, SEE Science Center (P)
  • Heather McGrail, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Manchester Chamber
  • Mark Mulcahy, Principal, Keller Williams Realty (P)
  • Chau Ngo, ED.M Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education 
  • Pawn Nitichan, Executive Director, City Year New Hampshire
  • Tina Philibotte, Chief Equity Officer, Manchester School District
  • Tina Proulx, Middle School Curriculum Director, Manchester School District
  • Michael Quigley, Director Office of Youth Services, City of Manchester
  • David Rogers, Chief Development Officer, DEKA
  • Marla Severn, Child Intake Coordinator, Mental Health Center Greater Manchester
  • Scott Spradling, Media & Communications Consultant
  • Steve Thiel, Assistant Vice President Community Impact, Southern NH University
  • Andrew Toland, Chief of Staff, Manchester School District (P)

Barry Brensinger serves as Manchester Proud’s Coordinator (P).

Aimee Kereage serves as Manchester Proud’s Community Partnerships Coordinator

Lauren Boisvert serves as Manchester Proud’s Community Communications Coordinator

(P) Indicates parent of current or former MSD student

Founding Champions Council 

  • Amy Allen, MSD Assistant Superintendent
  • Robert Baines, former Mayor and West High School Principal
  • Ellie Cochran, Development Coordinator and Philanthropist
  • Kathleen Cook, Bean Foundation Grant Manager
  • Dr. John Goldhardt, MSD Superintendent
  • Mary Heath, State Legislator and Community Member
  • Talmira Hill, Principal of T.L. Hill Group
  • Will Kanteres, Principal of Kanteres Real Estate
  • Frederic Loeffler, retired Restaurateur
  • Patricia Lynott, Former SNHU Campus President
  • Pawn Nitichan, City Year New Hampshire’s Executive Director
  • Arthur Sullivan, Owner of Brady Sullivan Properties

Barry Brensinger serves as Manchester Proud’s Coordinator.