SWP Welcomes Three New Members to our Board of Directors!
Help us give a warm welcome to Maitri Chittidi, Michael Padmore, and Julie Schoelzel to our Board of Directors in 2026!
Our Board of Directors represents a dynamic group of individuals committed to driving workforce development, championing young Granite Staters, and who are invested in Stay Work Plays vision for a NH where young people want to—and can—stay, work and play.
We’re thrilled to have a conversation with our three newest members:
Maitri Chittidi, Community Relations Specialist at Eversource Energy
Michael Padmore, Associate State Director of Advocacy at AARP NH
Julie Schoelzel, President & CEO at the Greater Monadnock Collaborative
SWP: We are so excited to have your leadership at the Stay Work Play Board of Directors! What inspires you most about the mission/work of Stay Work Play?
MC: I grew up in NH and over the years, I’ve seen so many friends leave the state and not return. I returned to NH after college because I felt a sense of community in NH that I didn’t want to leave behind. SWP gives me hope that we can address the needs of young people in the state. This work will help NH retain young people and encourage more young people to move to the state.
MP: Stay Work Play shines a spotlight on all the incredible things happening across New Hampshire. The mission is about celebrating what’s special here and finding new ways to keep NH vibrant and welcoming. In my work with AARP NH, our aim is similar in that we are trying to highlight what makes NH a great place to live, while understanding ways we can continue to make it somewhere that's ideal for both young people and those in their retirement years. Joining the SWP board is a great way to work together to make New Hampshire a place people are proud to call home.
SWP: What do you love most about living, working, and playing in NH?
MC: The sense of community. I feel like I can make a difference in my community! The location/proximity to beaches, mountains, Maine, Boston, etc. And I love fruit/blueberry picking in the summer and apple picking in the fall, sunflower festivals
MP: What I love most about living in New Hampshire is having my wife’s family and mine close by, it truly makes this place feel like home. As someone who loves being outside, there’s an incredible variety of things to do, from hiking the Whites to enjoying our lakes, rivers, and beaches. Another perk is how connected New Hampshire is to the surrounding region. Just a short drive puts you in cities like Boston, Portland, or even Montreal, so you get to enjoy NH’s small-town charm with access to some of the best cities in the world. It’s a place that offers an active, balanced lifestyle and endless opportunities to explore.
SWP: How are you plugged into your community? What makes the region you live in so special?
MC: The multicultural communities! For things to do: shows, restaurants, concerts, community events, and definitely good people!
MP: For almost a decade, I’ve been coaching high school basketball, first at Manchester Central High School and now at Hanover High School. I’ve found it’s a great way to connect and contribute to the community while doing something I love at the same time. Manchester was my first home when I moved to NH and it’ll always hold a special place with me. I found a community there that welcomed me and looked out for each other. No matter what city school you coached or played at, we were all part of the same Manchester family.
SWP: How would you pitch NH to a not-yet-young-resident of the state? What would you highlight?
MC: The location and proximity to so many places. There’s so much beauty in this state, especially in the fall. Increasing economic development and access to state legislators and town/city leaders if you want to make your voice heard.
MP: You get to live year-round in a place people spend thousands of dollars to visit. From the mountains, lakes, and beaches to the small towns and bigger cities, New Hampshire and the New England region as whole have so much to keep you busy. It’s hard to find another place that has as much variety in things to do within an hour drive as New Hampshire. That’s what makes living here so special, you’re never far from an adventure, and you get to enjoy the best of every season right in your backyard.
