Moriah Billups has been named the Young Professional of the Year by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. Billups, 32, currently lives in Hooksett and works at Concord Hospital Trust as a philanthropy office. She was honored at the Chamber’s Pinnacle Awards in early June and previously was named Young Professional of the Month in February 2023. 

Here’s a little more about Billups and her engagement with the local community.

Q: Tell us a little about your job.  

A: I raise funds for various programs, departments, and patient programs at Concord Hospital Health System. I also lead two of our athletic fundraising special events – the Rock’N Race and Pedaling for Payson – both which raise funds for the Payson Center for Cancer Care.

Q: What does winning Young Professional of the Year mean to you?

A: There are so many wonderful young professionals in Concord and being surrounded by those people has made me a better professional and community member. Any one of us could have been name Young Professional of the Year and it would be a great representation of young people doing great things in Concord. It is, however, always nice to be recognized for your hard work! I love what I do and being recognized as Young Professional of the year reflects the passion I have for the work I do at Concord Hospital Health System.

Q: What has been the most meaningful part of participating in Concord Young Professionals Network and the Chamber? 

A: The most meaningful part of participating in Concord Young Professionals Network and the Chamber are the people and the connections that I have made. Without these two groups and the monthly networking events, I don’t think I would have gotten to know Concord as well as I have – and I still have many more people to meet! It is always a pleasure getting to meet new people, sharing with them what we do at Concord Hospital Trust, and hearing about their work.

Q: What got you interested in your chosen career path?

A; Many fundraising professionals have had similar experiences, but I “fell” into the field and quickly realized that this was something I could see longevity in. I have a Master’s in Higher Education, and after graduate school, I was working in specialized graduate programs at a small art school in Manchester. Due to changes at the college, I decided to change directions, and a role in development was posted at Saint Anselm College. The role incorporated working with students and young alumni, and it allowed me to utilize many of my skills from higher education and transition into the field of development. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and being able to assist them with their philanthropic endeavors that were meaningful to them.

Q: What are your long-term career goals or dreams?

A; My long term career goals are always shifting. Since I transitioned from higher education to healthcare philanthropy and nonprofit work, I have let life guide me and have made a concerted effort to not try and control it all. I have always wanted to have a job that made me happy and fulfilled, and also allow for some work life balance. When I die at 100, I want to be proud of the life that I have lived.

Q: What’s your favorite weekend destination in New Hampshire? 

A: My husband and I are big travelers, so most of the time we are driving through New Hampshire to get to Canada or northern Maine…but on the weekends, we spend a lot of time right in our local community! You can find us in our garden, out biking or running, walking our very lazy and old black lab named Casco, or in our kitchen baking and cooking.

Q: Have you read, watched or listened to anything good recently? 

A: This year I set out to read at least 1 book a month. I know – that sounds so easy… but it’s not with the schedules we have! Both mine and my husband’s work schedules are busy, so we don’t always find time to just sit and relax. This year, my favorite book so far has been “The Gilded Hour” by Sara Donati. It tells the story of two cousins in the 1880s who are ob-gyn physicians and their care for the poor and homeless women in New York City. I am also currently listening to Amy Poehler’s new podcast, “Good Hang.” It is, in fact, a very good time.

Q: What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you? I

A: am a very open book so most people learn a lot about me pretty quickly. However, my claim to fame is that I used to be a competitive dancer and actually participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a senior in high school. I was on national television and every Thanksgiving, and I make sure my husband remembers this fact about me. I think he is secretly jealous.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share? 

A: Lots of things! I think one day I would love to have my own podcast so I can have a space for all my thoughts. If I had to pick one thing, I would encourage everyone to find work or volunteerism that really brings you joy. I am fortunate enough to have found something that I believe in and hope others find that passion. Also worth noting is that I am a die-hard maple syrup fan, especially the dark amber. I have been known to take shots of maple syrup before a swim in the morning or during a triathalon.

The Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) fosters personal and professional growth for individuals in the Capital Region, primarily serving ages 18–40—though all are welcome to join. The organization highlights emerging leaders who excel in their industries and contribute to the community. Monthly features are published in the Concord Insider. Learn more at concordnhchamber.com/impact/young-leaders or follow along on Facebook (Concord Young Professionals Network) and Instagram (@cypn).