CONGRATULATIONS, FISTO NDAYISHIMIYE!
2026 WINNER
sponsored by
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fisto’s journey from displacement to building a life in New Hampshire has shaped a deep commitment to public service, representation, and creating opportunities for others.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Young Adults Development Network (YDN), Fisto leads a youth-led organization focused on leadership development, advocacy, and community empowerment. Through YDN, he works to equip refugee, immigrant, and low-income young people with the skills, opportunities, and platforms they need to engage in civic life, advance justice, grow professionally, and help build stronger, more inclusive communities.
That commitment to representation extends into Fisto’s own civic leadership. He stepped forward as a candidate for Concord City Council At-Large, using that platform to encourage greater participation by young people and strengthen community representation in local government.
And while he is building opportunities for others, Fisto continues to invest in his own growth. He is currently studying Business Communications at Southern New Hampshire University and exploring Political Science as part of his continued interest in leadership, public policy, and civic engagement.
The Young Person of the Year Award celebrates an exceptional individual (ages 40 and under) who lives and works in New Hampshire and is making a powerful impact in both their industry and their community.
A true rising star, this person demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to making the Granite State a better place to live, work, and play.
past winners
Andy DeMeo is the creator and host of Granite Goodness, a newsletter and podcast highlighting optimistic stories of progress and problem-solving across New England, proudly hosted in the Granite State. His mission is clear: when people see a better world is possible, they’re more inspired to build it. By showcasing these positive stories, Andy actively celebrates and amplifies wins from passionate people in our state. He is also extremely involved in all things sustainability, having formed an affinity group for young people to connect, meet employers, and be plugged into the broader environmental community in our region. The Young Professional Network of the Year Award honors a New Hampshire Young Professional Network (YPN) that goes above and beyond to connect, engage, and empower young professionals in their region. Through innovative events, impactful programming, and a strong sense of community, this YPN plays a vital role in making New Hampshire a more vibrant and attractive place for young people to live, work, play, and build a strong community of peers.
Ophelia Burnett, a transformative leader from Manchester, is being honored for her unwavering commitment to social justice and advocacy in New Hampshire. Currently serving as the Healing Justice Program Associate at the American Friends Service Committee, Ophelia uses her personal experiences to fuel her passion for creating a more equitable legal system. Having faced the challenges of incarceration at the age of 18, Ophelia has turned her past into a powerful motivator for change. She advocates tirelessly for those navigating the legal system, particularly focusing on ensuring that prisoners, especially women and people of color, are treated with dignity. Her efforts to secure free sanitary products for female prisoners represent a significant advancement in humane treatment within state prisons.
Michael Newall is a Home Care Nurse at the Granite VNA, starting their career in nursing in January 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Michael quickly became a preceptor after only one year of nursing at the New Hampshire Technical Institute, and then at St. Anselm College and Rivier University for junior and senior students. Michael earned their degree in Nursing with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of New Hampshire, is a Hamel Scholar recipient, and made the honors program at UNH. During their college years, Michael spent time volunteering at the local food pantry, was a STEM and class mentor for the Connect Program, and served as a member of the Diversity Support Coalition.
SangYeob Kim has been an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire for the past 4 years. As an immigrant himself Sangyeob centers his career around helping other immigrants. Through his role at the ACLU-NH he has founded their Immigrants rights project. SangYeob has been essential in advocating for immigrant communities He has gone above and beyond by giving marginalized communities a greater voice in the courts and at the legislative level. In addition to the wonderful work he does with the ALCU-NH, SangYeob takes on pro bono work and represents detained immigrants throughout New Hampshire who cannot afford counsel.
Fiona McEnany is a microbiology and immunology PhD student at Dartmouth College studying neonatal herpes. As a New Hampshire native who grew up in the North Country, Fiona saw firsthand a medically underserved area, which inspired her endeavors in laboratory-based science and political advocacy. She strives to build a bridge between the scientific and political communities as a researcher and leader, with the hope that the intersections of her work will increase equity in underserved communities.
Dr. Patrick Ho is the Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Dartmouth College, and also serves as the youngest President of the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society (first to assume the role while still in his medical residency). After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Medicine degree in just six years from Kent State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University respectively, Patrick moved to New Hampshire to complete his training as a Resident Physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Working in NH allowed Patrick to see the discrepancies in mental health treatment and outcomes faced by rural disadvantaged populations in the state. This influenced him to pursue additional training and complete a preventive medicine residency in addition to his psychiatry residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
Dan Weeks is the Director of Business Development at ReVision Energy in Brentwood. Dan’s nominator described him as “the most successful Business Development person among a total staff of 260 employee-owners.” This is shown through his work on clean energy projects, his contributions to New Hampshire’s statewide solar industry, and letters to the editors and testimonies to legislators in regards to numerous renewable energy bills. Between January and July of this year, Dan developed more than $5 million worth of clean energy projects for clients ranging from new hampshire public and private schools, to social service nonprofits, municipalities, and many for-profit companies.
Caleigh MacPherson, Program Manager at Optics 1, has been a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) advocate since her undergraduate days at the University of New Hampshire in mechanical engineering. Caleigh is a local NASA Ambassador who routinely hosts space and science-related community events, is a co-founder of Astro Advocates and Allies (which aims to prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the space industry), and has spoken at various events and New Hampshire community colleges. She is also involved with the New Hampshire High Tech Council’s TechWomen/TechGirls initiatives.
Rusty Talbot is the founder, owner, and manager of North Country Climbing Center in Sugar Hill. He and his wife started their business in 2014 and since then have grown the climbing and adventure community in the North Country. In addition to owning and running his own business, Rusty is also a firefighter with the Sugar Hill Fire Department, a Lieutenant with Pemigewasset Search and Rescue, and is involved with the Littleton Rotary Club, the Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce, and the North of the Notch Young Professionals Network. His nominator said, “the North Country’s greatest asset is our mountains, and the Talbots’ have reminded us why we chose to live and play in northern New Hampshire.”
Katherine Morneau, Owner of the Law Office of Katherine J. Morneau, PLLC located in Nashua, has handled cases focused on family law, estate planning and administration. She has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in NH (under the age of 40) by The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys and is a recipient of the Power of the Raven Award from Franklin Pierce University. She serves as the Public Education Committee Co-Chair and Board Member with the Collaborative Law Alliance of New Hampshire and was past President of the Manchester Food Co-op.
Chris Wellington is the CEO of the Grafton County Economic Development Council based in Plymouth. In addition to his professional experience in economic development throughout NH, Chris knows the importance of giving back to his community. His nominator said, “Chris does all of the ‘little things’ that others don’t want to do or are too busy to do.”
Corey MacDonalad is from Portsmouth and an attorney at MacDonald and Black Law Firm, and also the youngest-ever Deputy Chief of Police in Portsmouth. In addition to his professional roles and being a father of two young daughters, Corey serves on a number of local boards and committees including as a committee member for Leadership Seacoast, as a board member for the Friends of New Hampshire Drug Court, as a trustee for both the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County and the Fuller Foundation. Corey was named one of Catapult Seacoast’s “10 to Watch” in its inaugural competition this year. As his reference said, “I think he was born to do what he does” and we are grateful he is doing it in New Hampshire.
Ryan Barton is a resident of Laconia and is the owner and founder of Mainstay Technologies in Belmont NH whose mission is, “To empower our clients to succeed by providing world-class, comprehensive IT services with extreme excellence.” In addition to founding and running Mainstay, Ryan is the principle of Fragged Nation, a large online gaming community; co-founder of “Beyond the Belt Martial Arts and Fitness Center;” founder of GovSites, a business dedicated to providing website design, development and hosting for municipalities throughout New England; and owner of Landmark Self-Storage, a multi-location self-storage business. According to one of his references, “Ryan has also come to be widely respected in the community for his personal integrity, the kind, honest way he deals with his clients, the dignity with which he treats his employees, and the generosity he has shown to many local charities and nonprofits.” When Ryan founded Mainstay Technologies, he was only 20 years old. Now 29, Ryan continues to impress with his enviable creative and innovative thinking, and strong values, but also with his dedication to giving back to his community. As one of his references stated, “Ryan’s vision, work ethic, intelligence, and integrity truly make him one of the brightest lights in New Hampshire. Positivity and success seem to naturally flow from whatever he puts his hands to.”
It’s not just boy scouts and girl scouts that live by the motto “Be Prepared.” Laura Jacobi has moved from staff accountant at Lake Sunapee Bank to chief financial officer and she’s only 36. She says she received some key advice from a boss earlier in her career who said “You don’t know when the opportunity is going to arise so be ready for it.” Taking that advice to heart, she went back to college while working at the bank in her early 20s to receive a bachelor’s degree. She says the bank, which oversees 29 locations in NH and Vermont and $1 billion in assets, has exposed her to new concepts and challenges on a regular basis. Our 2012 Rising Star continues to grow and expand her talents. In fact, she went back to school again to earn an MBA. The president and CEO of the bank says that Laura operates with a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition. Our young professional of the year has been integrally involved in the bank’s acquisitions of the McCrillis & Eldridge Insurance Company and The Nashua Bank. As if her job didn’t keep her busy enough, she is also active in the Newport Chamber of Commerce, where she has served not once, but twice, as president.