Join us for this event
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 | 8-10:30 a.m.
Manchester Country Club
180 South River Road, Bedford, NH, 03110
Ticket: $45 (includes breakfast)
Schedule at a glance:
8:00 AM Registration opens, networking breakfast.
8:30 AM Opening remarks and introductions.
8:45 – 9:30 AM Panel discussion, led by moderator Lisa Carter.
Panelists:
Will Arvelo, Director of Economic and Workforce Development, State of New Hampshire
Deo Mwano, Managing Principal Consultant, Deo Mwano Consultancy
Allyson Ryder, Assistant Director, UNH Office of Community, Equity and Diversity
9:30 AM Break
9:45 – 10:30 AM Audience Q&A with panel
10:30 AM Closing remarks, conclusion.
Panelists
Will Arvelo
Director of Economic and Workforce Development
State of New Hampshire
Dr. Wildolfo (Will) Arvelo is director of the Division of Economic Development for New Hampshire. Prior to his appointment by Governor Sununu, Arvelo served 33 years in leadership positions within higher education at public and private colleges. Over the past 11 years he served as president of Great Bay Community College, where he transformed the college to be outwardly focused, developing products/programs that would better serve the needs of business and industry. He has also worked to build articulation pathways with the University System of New Hampshire as well as other New Hampshire colleges and universities.
Deo Mwano
Managing Principal Consultant
Deo Mwano Consultancy
Deo Mwano is a social-impact innovator whose work is focused on education, technology, business, community and individual development. His unique talents and experiences make him highly versatile and adaptable to working with different types of individuals and organizations.
Deo Mwano Consultancy offers services for education and workforce success through diversity and inclusion strategies. DMC’s engaging approach connects organizations and individuals by utilizing different mediums to help immerse them in the process of finding solutions to their problems.
Deo grew up in Manchester after fleeing political unrest 20 years ago in what is now the Democratic of Republic of Congo.
Allyson Ryder
Assistant Director
UNH Office of Community, Equity and Diversity 
Allyson Ryder is the Assistant Director in the UNH Office of Community, Equity and Diversity where she oversees a variety of programming including inclusive practices, social justice, and supporting DEI initiatives across campus.
Allyson holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Southern Maine with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Research and Evaluation Methods, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern NH University’s 3-Year Honors Program. She serves on several community boards and committees across the state. She is currently the Board Secretary of the Black Heritage Trail of NH and Board Member and Affiliate Equity Officer of the ACLU of NH. Allyson resides on the seacoast with her wife and their four-legged children.
Moderator
Lisa Carter
Founder / Chief Engagement Officer
Drinkwater Marketing & Productions
Lisa Carter is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for building brands. As the founder and chief engagement officer of Drinkwater Marketing and Productions she works with B2B and B2C businesses to develop digital strategies to drive revenue. Prior to launching Drinkwater, Lisa spent 20+ years in the corporate sector building product and brand strategies for top fortune 500 companies such as The Limited Corporation, Timberland Footwear and Staples Inc.
