Keene, N.H. - Marilyn Goodwin Soper of Keene, NH has been named executive director of Giving Monadnock, Inc.  In her role, she will implement programs and workshops, designed to help area non-profit organizations be more effective in fundraising and governance.  She will also be responsible for working collaboratively with the business community, government agencies and nonprofit groups to promote greater philanthropy in the Monadnock Region.

Soper, who has been a board member of Giving Monadnock, has most recently been a volunteer supervisor with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of NH, Inc.  In that role she was responsible for recruiting, training and supervising volunteer guardians ad litem who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in New Hampshire's Cheshire, Sullivan and western Hillsborough County courts.  

She has more than 35 years of non-profit and for-profit experience.  Throughout her career she has been actively involved in a number of local, regional and state organizations including the Maine Hospice Council, Bath-Brunswick (Maine) Area United Way, Maine State Housing Authority, New England Resident Service Coordinators, Spring Valley (SC) Presbyterian Church Preschool, and the Cheshire Housing Trust in Keene.  

Currently, Ms. Soper is a member of the Citizens Review Panel for New Hampshire's Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), the Cheshire County Drug Education Task Force, and the American Association of University Women.  Ms. Soper attended Wellesley College and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Wheelock College and her Master of Arts in American and New England Studies from the University of Southern Maine.

"I have been preparing my whole life for this job", Ms. Soper told the Giving Monadnock Search Committee.  "While growing up in Manchester, NH, I watched my parents support various community organizations with their time, their talent and their donations.  As I grew older, I joined them in doing so."  

"Even as we extend best wishes to our departing executive director Sandie Phipps and appreciation for the great job she did, we welcome Marilyn Soper and her experience, enthusiasm and professionalism," said Frank H. Dobisky, Board Chair of Giving Monadnock. 

Ms. Soper will begin her duties July 1.  In the meantime, Sue Farrell, Giving Monadnock's Program Manager, will be staffing the Giving Monadnock office, along with Emily Katz, a senior at Colgate University and Giving Monadnock's Communications Intern.

Giving Monadnock is a 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to strengthen the fundraising and governance of nonprofit organizations and to increase philanthropy in the Monadnock Region.  For more information on Giving Monadnock and its programs, please visit their website at www.givingmonadnock.org or email them at:  info@givingmonadnock.org.