Dan Mulkern of Stratham recently joined The McDonough Scholarship Foundation’s Board of Directors. Mulkern earned degrees from Boston College (BA - 1992) and Dartmouth (MBA – 1997) and received McDonough Scholarships during his undergraduate studies. Mulkern is a principal and founder of Vigilant Wealth Management in Portsmouth, which provides wealth management services to clients, and sits on several other prominent boards. Mulkern’s many years of expertise in investment portfolio management will be of tremendous benefit to the Foundation. He will chair the McDonough Investment Committee, which oversees the management of The McDonough Scholarship Foundation’s 27 Permanently Endowed Named Scholarships.

Lisa Kress of Bedford has been appointed as McDonough Scholarship Foundation’s first Executive Director. A former small business owner, Kress became McDonough’s Director of Scholarship Services in November of 2020 and was promoted to Director of Operations and Development in 2021. Since she joined the McDonough organization three years ago, the Foundation’s operation and presence has grown significantly. Lisa’s energy and long-term vision will be well-utilized in expanding every aspect of the McDonough organization and its mission in the years to come.

Granite VNA raised more than $57,000 during its annual Lights, Life and Memories campaign to support hospice services for residents in 82 New Hampshire communities. More than 130 area businesses and nearly 500 individuals generously supported the campaign, which concluded in December with four community remembrance ceremonies. Lights, Life and Memories honors and remembers loved ones who have passed and recognizes the importance of hospice care in New Hampshire. Each year, community members participate by placing the names of loved ones who have passed on the online honor roll and/or placing their names on handmade porcelain doves which are displayed on evergreen trees at community remembrance services in Alton, Concord, Meredith and Wolfeboro. The ceremonies were held Dec. 9, 2023, and featured music, readings, reflection and remembrance.