Stay Work Play New Hampshire is excited to announce the addition of Stephen Denis as its new Outreach & Programs Manager, a key step in the organization’s continued growth and deepening commitment to the state’s young people. This strategic hire not only expands Stay Work Play’s capacity but also reinforces its evolving role as a central connector between students, communities, and opportunities across the Granite State.

As the organization scales its efforts, this expansion reflects a clear focus: increasing visibility and engagement on college campuses and strengthening partnerships with New Hampshire’s higher education institutions. These collaborations are crucial to building a more vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready workforce—and to ensure young people see a long-term path for themselves in the state.

“With the expansion of our team, we’re reinforcing our mission and capacity to cultivate stronger connections with the state’s colleges, universities, and educational institutions—key partners in building a vibrant future workforce and an inclusive community for young people,” said Corinne Benfield, executive director of Stay Work Play. “Stephen’s role will be instrumental as we grow our on-campus presence and more actively collaborate with students, faculty, and administrators alike.”

In this newly created position, Stephen will lead the design and delivery of signature programs such as the Rising Stars Awards and the Next Gen NH Summit, while also developing new, high-impact engagement strategies to ensure that Stay Work Play becomes a more visible and accessible resource on campuses throughout the state.

“Stephen’s experience and energy are exactly what we need as we scale our programs and partnerships,” Corinne added. “His deep ties to both the student experience and broader community leadership make him uniquely equipped to help us expand our footprint and build stronger pipelines of opportunity for young people in New Hampshire.”

Stephen brings a wealth of relevant experience, having served in student engagement and community programming roles at Southern New Hampshire University, where he also earned his Master’s in Business. His prior work with major organizations—including the Boston Celtics, Kraft Sports Group, and New York Red Bulls—demonstrates his ability to design innovative, mission-driven programs with broad community impact.

Since returning to Manchester in 2019, Stephen has become a respected local young leader, most recently through his work with the Young Leaders Council of Manchester Young Professionals, where he championed efforts to create more welcoming and supportive environments for the region’s emerging talent.

“I’m honored to join a team that’s truly committed to creating a New Hampshire where young people can see a future for themselves,” Stephen said. “As we expand our campus engagement and work more closely with colleges and universities, I’m excited to help students connect with the opportunities, networks, and communities that can help them thrive here.”

As Stay Work Play continues to grow its internal capacity and expand its statewide reach, this new role marks an intentional shift toward greater impact and deeper collaboration across industries to support the next generation of Granite Staters.

Please join us in welcoming Stephen Denis to the Stay Work Play team!