Leadership Is Measured by the Doors You Open

Photo (left to right): E.J. Powers, partner at Montagne Powers and Beau Manzi, Saint Anselm College student and Montagne Powers 2026 intern. (Photo by Kim Casey, Saint Anselm College)

How did you get your start? Mine was an internship.

More than 20 years ago as a senior at Saint Anselm College, I found my way into a political advertising seminar held at the NH Institute of Politics. Somewhere during the analysis of the impact of George W. Bush’s “windsurfing” ads against John Kerry, my eyes opened to the possibility of a career at the intersection of politics, public relations, and advertising. My current business partner, Scott Tranchemontagne, and the then-team at Griffin Bodi & Krause (now GYK) took a chance by offering me an internship and taught me the strategic communications ropes. That single internship opportunity turned into a full-time position and launched my career. I’ve never forgotten it, and I’ve spent much of my professional life trying to pay it forward.

I’ve come to believe that leadership isn’t measured by the title you hold or the deals you close. It’s measured by the doors you open for others – especially for the next generation.

That conviction took shape over years. As a graduate of both Leadership New Hampshire and Leadership Greater Manchester, I experienced firsthand how transformative it is to be invested in – to have access to peers who challenge you, mentor you, and believe in what you might become. But I also noticed a gap. These programs were extraordinary, yet few were built for young professionals just finding their footing.

So, during my time co-chairing the board of directors at Stay Work Play New Hampshire, I established the Rising Stars Leadership Program to help close that gap. The idea was simple: to give emerging professionals a platform for recognition, real leadership development, and exposure to different facets of New Hampshire business, arts, and nonprofits, and to give small companies a path to put their rising talent forward. New Hampshire’s future depends on convincing young people that they can build meaningful careers here, and that starts with showing them they’re seen, valued, and worth investing in.

We’ve held that same belief in our firm, Montagne Powers, offering internships to college students for almost two decades. Last year, we launched a first-of-its-kind strategic communications internship program with Saint Anselm College, my alma mater. One year in, it exceeded every expectation. Our initial program participants, Beau Manzi and Sydney Mazur, didn’t just observe from the sidelines. They contributed from day one – taking on real client work and even the occasional Mr. Monopoly costume. We trusted them with meaningful responsibilities, and they rose to it every time. Watching them grow into confident, capable communicators has been one of the most rewarding parts of my year.

None of it would have happened without partners who share the vision – Saint Anselm Office of Partnerships and leaders like Max Latona and Lauren Burrows, and key leaders like NH Institute of Politics Executive Director Neil Levesque and Deputy Director Annmarie Camann, who connect students with opportunities they might never have found on their own. As Sydney put it, without the program she wouldn’t have known the position existed. That’s precisely the point. Talent is everywhere; access is not.

For fellow business owners – large and small alike, my message is this: you don’t need an endless budget or even an HR department to change a young person’s trajectory. You need a willingness to open the door – to offer the internship, sponsor the rising star, or make the introduction.

Someone once took a chance on me. The greatest honor of my career has been returning the favor.

E.J. Powers is a partner at Montagne Powers, northern New England’s leading strategic communications firm.