Craig Richardson
Executive Director
Craig Richardson is a retired software engineer with a longstanding interest in education and the arts. As an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he volunteered at the Museum of Science in Boston, where he developed concepts for new exhibits. After receiving his degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he developed computer-assisted instructional programs for medical students and doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. His career in software engineering has included database projects at Digital Equipment and Wang Laboratories, and work on Internet firewalls at Symantec, where he taught courses in secure programming methods.
Craig has been a volunteer for Destination Imagination for many years, and has been an Appraiser, a Team Manager, a Tournament Director, and a Team Challenge writer. Craig and Sandra Hardy are the current Affiliate Co-Directors for DI’s New Hampshire and Maine affiliates.
Bryce Broadhurst
Board Chair
Bryce’s commitment to the New Hampshire Innovation and Creativity Connection is rooted in his own experience as a former Destination Imagination participant, where he first learned the lessons of creative problem-solving, resilience, and collaboration that define his career today. Over the years, he has given back to the NH-DI community from nearly every angle—serving as a Team Manager, Appraiser, and both a Regional and Affiliate Challenge Master. Today, Bryce brings that 360-degree understanding of our flagship program to the NHICC Board of Directors, ensuring the organization continues to deliver transformative experiences for youth across the state.
Outside of his board service, Bryce leverages a rich background in business leadership, holding an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and working as a Senior Manager for The Home Depot. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Shannon, and their son, Hayden. Combining his professional acumen with his passion as a parent, Bryce’s personal mission is to expand NHICC’s reach and scale its impact, empowering the next generation of innovators with the exact same tools that shaped his own journey.
Talee Messenger
Board Vice-Chair
Talee Messenger (she/her) resides in New Hampshire’s Southwest Corner and is an active alumna of NH Destination Imagination. She participated in the program from 10th to 12th grade, proudly representing #TeamNH at the Global Finals each year. A former NH-DI Scholarship recipient, Talee impressed the committee with her finger puppet storytelling skills. After graduation, she volunteered for NH-DI as an appraiser and subsequently joined the Marketing Committee and Photo Team. Most recently she took on one of the adult DI Challenges of Co-Team Manager of a Rising Stars team with fellow NHICC board member, Rachel Reekie.
Talee holds a degree in journalism and public relations, bringing extensive experience in event management, public relations, marketing, and strategic communication to NH-DI and the NHICC Board. She currently works in the marketing department of a food cooperative. Talee is excited to collaborate with her fellow board members and the greater DI family to ensure the program’s growth for generations to come.
Eileen McDonald
Board Member, Treasurer
Eileen McDonald is a retired educator having taught 1st grade for 30 years. She has always been active in both her school and community. Eileen has served as the Parent Teacher Association’s president, treasurer and event leader. She has been the president of the Auburn Education Association as well as the treasurer. Eileen has served on the town’s Parks and Recreation committee for several years where she developed and oversaw the 4 week summer camp program as well as the 2 Senior Excursions.
Eileen was first involved in the Odyssey of the Mind program back in 1988. All three of her children participated in OM and then DI through their middle school years. She has been a team manager, appraiser and volunteer when needed. Presently, Eileen is the DI Coordinator for the Auburn Village School as well as the Co-Affiliate Challenge Master for the Rising Stars state program.
Jenna Caputo
Board Member
Jenna Caputo grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire where she participated in Destination Imagination for ten years and spent her summers with her grandparents in Vermont, developing a love and appreciation for nature.
Jenna attended Mount Holyoke College as a Psychology and Education major and completed the teacher licensure program. Following graduation, Jenna became an Area Coordinator in residential life, working to support college students through the learning moments that come with living in a college community, supporting RAs, and helping to develop the wellness curriculum for students. Meanwhile, Jenna earned a Master’s in Curriculum Design and Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently a staff member at Building Block Commons, a project-based, hands-on school in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Jenna has remained deeply involved as a volunteer with DI in various capacities at both the New Hampshire and global level.
Nitya Dhakar
Board Member
Nitya Dhakar is a passionate advocate for creativity, education, and lifelong learning. She has been involved with Destination Imagination as a team manager. She values creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving as essential skills for success. She enjoys bringing people together around a common goal and helping organizations transform ideas into action by developing thoughtful plans, aligning teams, and guiding execution to achieve meaningful results.
Nitya brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, strategy, and operations leadership. Throughout her career, she has focused on fostering collaboration, leading complex initiatives, and driving organizational improvement. Nitya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Saint Anselm College, a Master’s degree in Art History from the University at Buffalo, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.
Anat Eshed
Board Member
Anat Eshed is a curious explorer of uncharted territories — in science, education, culture, and community. She brings to the NHICC Board a career dedicated to helping people and organizations imagine what is possible, make thoughtful decisions, and turn promising ideas into lasting impact.
Anat holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Her career has included serving as a Research Scientist at MIT, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Southern New Hampshire University, and a senior leader in educational innovation. She is now the Founder and Executive Director of Xsight Education Consulting, where she helps education organizations develop strategy, evaluate impact, and scale and sustain meaningful innovation.
Having lived in Israel and the United States, worked extensively in Singapore, and traveled widely, Anat has developed a deep appreciation for the value that differences bring to complex problem-solving. She believes the strongest answers emerge when people with different perspectives, talents, and experiences bring their collective genius to the table.
Anat served as a Destination Imagination Team Manager for 17 years, coordinated the Hollis DI program during a period of significant growth, volunteered as an appraiser, and created a community Math Olympiad program designed to continue under future leaders. She believes deeply in creating environments where young people can take risks, collaborate, discover their strengths, and build confidence by solving difficult problems together.
Katy Kolasinski
Board Member
Wayne Kurtzman
Board Member
Wayne has been a Team Manager, Appraiser and, as a member of the Board of Directors is responsible for marketing, social and online content for NHICC, including much of the NH-DI photography. He launched social media for Destination Imagination, Inc. and currently volunteers as the photography team lead for Global Finals. Wayne leads the IDC research in the collaboration, social media and experiential practices helping global companies adjust to Digital Transformation. Wayne is an adjunct educator with the University of Tennessee, has writes on social media, analytics, and disruptive technologies—and loves the shiny toys of technology.
Jake Oudheusden
Board Member
Jake Oudheusden is a Data Forecast Analyst primarily in Workforce Management for Higher Education. He has his bachelor’s degree from Sterling College in Outdoor Education and Leadership and completed his Masters of Education through Southern New Hampshire University. Jake’s career has taken him from his undergraduate work directly into higher education where he held the position of Assistant Director of Admission for his alma mater and where he began his experience in data management and forecasting. After, Jake moved on to work for Southern New Hampshire University starting as an Academic Advisor working with undergraduate students to navigate their programs and get to graduation which led to his current position in Workforce Management.
Jake began his time in New Hampshire Destination Imagination as a participant in 8th grade where he competed through his senior year, attending several Global Finals competitions. After graduating from the program as a student, Jake began volunteering as an appraiser for NH-DI and moving to hold a position of Regional Challenge Master. In 2015, Jake began working, in addition to his full time role, at Camp Gottalikachallenge where he started out as a coach and now holds the position of Assistant Camp Director for both weeks of overnight. In addition, Jake has been working with the Alumni Committee as well as the International Alumni Council to help alumni of the program to continue engagement post-graduation.
Andrew Peters
Board Member
Rachel Reekie
Board Member
Rachel Reekie (she/her) hails from the southwestern corner of New Hampshire where she grew up loving dogs, theater, and everything creative. Rachel received a BS in Elementary Education and a BA in Psychology from Keene State College (2018). She now spends her days as an educator of Tiny Humans (Kindergarten) sharing that love of creativity and enjoying all of the “light bulb” moments that education and Destination Imagination bring!
Aside from her teacher superpower, Rachel has been heavily involved in volunteering for NHICC and NH-DI for 14+ years. Beginning as a DI team member of the IMPROV Challenge in high school, Rachel has taken her alumni experience to foster a love of creativity as a Team Manager, School Coordinator, Photo Team member, Appraiser, Global Finals volunteer, Camp Gottalikachallenge Staffer and is now thrilled to take a seat on the NHICC Board.
Ellie Stetson
Board Member
Ellie Stetson is proud to be a teacher. As a teacher, she loves to see that our children and youth are excited about learning, happy, and successful. She supports their sense of wonder, curiosity and inquisitiveness as life-long learners. She is a graduate of Colby College with a major in Mathematics and has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Recently retired, Ellie is now supervising student teachers from Southern New Hampshire University. Ellie has been involved in Creative Problem Solving and New Hampshire Destination Imagination for more than 15 years as a Team Manager, school and district coordinator, Appraiser, Regional and State Challenge Master, and a member of the Board of Directors. She is currently serving as the chair of the Appraiser Committee, and is a member of the Education and Training Committee.