Board of Directors
Caroline Knight
Executive Director
Caroline brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning nonprofit management, human resources, organizational development, and community engagement to her role at YWCA New Hampshire. Throughout her career, she has been particularly drawn to mission-driven organizations and small businesses, helping them strengthen their operations, develop their people, and build sustainable organizations.
Prior to joining YWCA New Hampshire, Caroline served as Executive Director of the Billerica Alliance, a nonprofit business and community development organization in Massachusetts. Her career also includes leadership roles with nationally recognized companies including PUMA, Target, and Estée Lauder, as well as extensive consulting work with nonprofit organizations and small businesses.
After moving to New Hampshire in 2017, Caroline began providing human resources and organizational consulting services to businesses and nonprofits throughout the region. YWCA New Hampshire became one of those clients, giving Caroline the opportunity to work closely with the organization on several key initiatives before ultimately stepping into its leadership.
Caroline earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University. Her commitment to the YWCA’s mission is also deeply personal. Educated at an all-girls school, she learned early the importance of creating environments where girls and women are encouraged to recognize their strengths, develop their voices, and reach their full potential.
Community service has been a consistent part of Caroline’s professional and personal life. She has served on boards and committees supporting the Billerica Public Library Foundation, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council. She also volunteered for many years with the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange and Cambridge Family & Children’s Service.
Today, Caroline’s leadership at YWCA New Hampshire is focused on strengthening the organization’s long-term sustainability, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring that the YWCA continues to evolve as a welcoming and vital community resource for New Hampshire.
Kelsie McKinney
Board Member
Kelsie McKinney is a Regional Business Consultant with CCA Global Partners in Manchester, NH, who believes deeply in the power of community. Throughout her career, she has focused on connecting people with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
She began her community-centered work in Honolulu at Central Pacific Bank’s Tidepools coworking space, where she developed programs, partnerships, and events supporting local professionals and entrepreneurs. Her background in banking and leadership strengthened her ability to listen, build trust, and advocate for others.
Kelsie is especially passionate about supporting women and minorities. She believes that when people feel seen, safe, and empowered, entire communities can thrive. Her goal is to make a meaningful difference in her lifetime and contribute to work that supports others for future generations.
As a board member of the YWCA of Manchester, she is honored to support a mission rooted in equity, dignity, and opportunity for all and contribute to work that supports others for future generations.
Heather Menezes
Legal
Heather represents injured individuals in a wide array of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and vaccine injury cases.
Heather understands the multitude of issues facing injured clients, whether the injury occurred from someone else’s negligence, from a vaccine, or at work. She approaches each case with compassion and diligence. Your problem is her problem.
Heather has extensive experience fighting for her clients in New Hampshire’s state and federal trial courts, the New Hampshire Department of Labor, and the New Hampshire Supreme Court. She is admitted to the United States Court of Federal Claims and represents individuals injured by vaccines in the highly specialized Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Sarah Kontos
Treasurer
Sarah Kontos has over 14 years of nonprofit accounting experience, specializing in the management, analysis, and compliance of Federal and State grants. Sarah currently serves as Vice President of Business and Grant Analytics for Easterseals NH and VT, where she supports financial planning and grant oversight across the organization. She brings a strong background in nonprofit finance, budgeting, and fiscal operations, with a focus on helping programs remain compliant, sustainable, and mission-focused. Prior to this role, Sarah worked as Fiscal and Grants Manager at Legal Aid Society in her hometown in sunny South Florida.
As YWCA Treasurer, Sarah hopes to support the organization’s mission by providing thoughtful financial stewardship by helping ensure resources are used effectively to advance programs that empower women, families, and the broader community.
When she’s not crunching numbers, Sarah enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and baking for family and friends. She lives locally in Manchester with her wife and their two cats, Chicken and Waffles.
Ewere Asuen
Vice President
Ewere Asuen is an Art Director at King Arthur Baking Company, where she leads photo and video productions while overseeing visual content development across editorial and marketing platforms. Her work focuses on building visual systems that strengthen storytelling, elevate brand presence, and deepen audience engagement.
With a background in art direction, photography, and creative operations, Ewere brings expertise in communications and visibility strategy to the YWCA External Committee. She supports efforts that amplify organizational programming, strengthen community awareness, and advance the YWCA’s mission to empower women and families.
She is Vice President of the Board at YWCA NH and is passionate about using storytelling as a tool to foster equity and community impact across the Upper Valley.
Donna Sovie
Board Member
Donna Sovie, the board chair of YWCA NH, is a dedicated leader and community advocate with deep roots in New Hampshire, where she has resided for 24 years.
As the owner and CEO of Check and Balance Business Solutions, Donna brings over two decades of experience in accounting, having ascended from accounts payable in a small construction company to executive management roles while earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in accounting.
Beyond her professional achievements, Donna is heavily involved in her community. She serves as a Chamber Ambassador, has coordinated fundraising events for nonprofit schools and children’s art programs, and was a local Girl Scout Leader and Regional Director for several years.
With a commitment to fostering business growth and community development, Donna has been a keynote speaker, an educator at Nashua Community College, and an active participant in numerous networking associations throughout New Hampshire.