Candidates
Nominations for Board of Directors
Donna Raycraft
Candidate for District Governor 2024-2026
Donna Raycraft has been a member of the Zonta Club of Concord NH for 21 years, serving in many capacities including President (twice) and Membership Chair. She is the current District 1 Lt. Governor and District Membership Chair. She has previously stepped up to serve as the USA Advocacy Caucus delegate for the district, District Nominating Committee member, and District Service Committee Chair. Donna worked at Riverbend Community Mental Health Services in various positions for over 24 years and was the Executive Director of the Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Center for five years. She also serves on several boards – most currently Womankind Counseling Center, Merrimack County Daycare Center, and Healthy Beginnings Endowment Fund at Concord Hospital – and volunteers her time and talent with hospice patients (journaling and providing Reiki), with caregivers (proving respite), and people who have lost loved ones (facilitating 8-week support groups).
When asked what drives her, Donna responded, “These life experiences have shown me how important it is for women to advocate for other women. Women need support and elevation as mothers. Women need a place to go when their relationships become dangerous (help developing a safety plan, help with the legal system and the medical system, shelter). Women need legislative protection, whether it is gender affirming protection or minimum wage protection or protection from childhood marriage. There is a lot that needs fixing but I am lifted on by my Zonta sisters who also want to lift up other women, who want to build a better world for women and girls all over the world. We are an army.”
Lynn Stanley, LICSW
Candidate for District Lt. Governor 2024-2026
Lynn Stanley has been a proud member of the Zonta Club of Concord NH since 2017 and is the Club President for this biennium. In her work life, she is the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, NH Chapter and VT Chapter. She has clinical experience and a strong macro social work background in social policy, training and facilitation, non-profit leadership, and volunteer board coordination. She spent fourteen years with Casey Family Services: first as a clinical case manager, then providing technical assistance to foster/ adoptive parent associations, and the last six years as the Team Leader for Casey’s school-based Franklin Family Resource Center. Lynn was the Lead for the NH Afterschool Network, working to increase out of school learning opportunities for youth and closing the opportunity gap for lower income youth. She is adjunct faculty/teaching lecturer in the Social Work Department at the University of New Hampshire. Lynn earned her BA from New College of Florida and her MSW from the University of New Hampshire.
Janice N. Severance
Candidate for reelection to District Treasurer 2024-2026
Janice N. Severance is the current District 1 Treasurer for the 2022-2024 biennium. When asked if she would continue in that position, she responded, “I have enjoyed, and been somewhat challenged, fulfilling my District 1 Treasurer responsibilities. I have learned so much about the various clubs and the women that serve their communities within these clubs, and I look forward to continuing in this role for the 2024-2026 biennium if reelected.” Janice has been a member of the Zonta Club of Concord, NH since June of 1997 and has held all of the officer and director positions within the club, except for Secretary since her installation. Her two longest positions on the club board were Club President from 2002-2004 and again from 2020-2022 and was Club Treasurer from 2006-2012.
Janice has an Associate degree in Executive Secretarial Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has worked in both the non-profit field as well as in a for-profit business, and also worked for the State of New Hampshire. Currently, she is an entrepreneur working as a Personal Image & Color Consultant and has operated The Image Enhancement Studio in Concord for 30+ years. She thoroughly enjoys helping women, men, and young adults to look their personal best giving them confidence in both their personal and professional lives.
In addition to Zonta, Janice volunteers for other women’s organizations, helps run various fundraisers in the community, is involved with Leadership Greater Concord, and sings in a local community chorus. She just finished serving the chorale as its Treasurer for the past 13 years and will continue her passion to sing with them.
Beatrice Schori
Candidate for District 1 Area 1 Director 2024-2026
Beatrice Schori joined the Zonta Club of Halifax in 2010. She has served her club as vice president, president and Committee Chairman. She has also been an area Director, Lt. Governor and Governor in 2020-2022. On the district level, she attends the spring and fall events as well as special committees, such as major strategic committees, such as the Club Creator Committee, Nominating and Fall Conference Committee. Beatrice is originally from Switzerland and during her club presidency, she established club relationship with the Zonta Club of Lucerne Switzerland. She has traveled to Lucerne multiple times since 2014, attending local club events and further strengthening the relationship between the two clubs.
In 2022 Beatrice celebrated her 50th anniversary in Canada, where she immigrated to from Switzerland to continue her career as a Dental Technician. She enjoyed her dental laboratory in Halifax for many years. Beatrice currently works as an Executive Attendant for Centerplate. She also serves as a member of the Dining and Social Committee of the Board of the Waegwoltic Club Halifax.
Verna Frasca
Candidate for District 1 Area 2 Director 2024-2026
Verna Frasca has been a member of the Zonta Club of Northampton Area since 2004, has served the club in many roles, and is the club Vice-President for the current biennium. She is District 1’s delegate for the USA Advocacy Caucus this biennium, where she is an active member of the Climate Change subcommittee.
Originally from Lexington, Massachusetts, Verna now lives in Northampton. She studied biochemistry at Smith College and went on to get her PhD in biological chemistry from the University of Michigan, followed by two post-doctoral fellowships in Albany NY and Dallas. For over 30 years Verna has worked in the biotech industry, including 22 years in Northampton MA as an applications scientist and manager for Malvern Panalytical (originally MicroCal). She is now semi-retired, working part-time as a consultant, and enjoys spending her free time researching her family ancestry and genealogy
Nominations for Nominations Committee
Pamela Albertson
District 1 Nominating Committee 2024-2026
Pamela Albertson joined the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley in 2010 and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the club’s service and fundraising projects . An accountant by profession, Pam helped streamline the club’s accounting practices and served as Treasurer for four years. She has also served as District 1 Treasurer for four years.
Having spent 20 years living in many countries via State Department postings, Pam brings an international perspective to her work in Zonta. She was on the board of US National Committee for UNWomen (the United Nations Development Fund for Women) for several years as well. Outside of Zonta, Pam is treasurer for Opportunities for Communities, Inc. (OfC) whose mission is to engage communities through education to generate sustainable development opportunities. A recent retiree, Pam enjoys traveling, golf, and assisting in pet rescue operations.
Mary F. Knight
District 1 Nominating Committee 2024-2026
Mary Knight joined the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley in 2000 and has held many positions over the years, including various Committee Chairs, Secretary (4x), Board Member, Vice President, and President (2x). Since 2010, she has served as the District 1 Webmaster and District PR/Communication Chair. She was elected Area 2 Director for the 2018-2020 biennium. This biennium she was honored to be asked by Governor Donna Sroka to serve as the District 1 Board’s Secretary.
Mary is a retired Marketing/Communication and Human Resources manager and currently provides services as a communication coach to small businesses and nonprofits. She is a long-time board member and past president for Pathlight Group, partnering with people with disabilities to create opportunities and build relationships throughout their lives, and works closely with the Belchertown Historical Association as their marketing communication chair. Mary is a lifelong learner, enjoys golf, traveling and spending time with her extended family.
Donna Sroka
District 1 Nominating Committee 2024-2026
Donna Sroka served as District 1 Lt. Governor and Membership Chair last biennium and is the District 1 Governor for 2022 – 2024. She has been a member of the Zonta Club of Northampton Area since 2008, serving in various compacities including President. She has been attending the Commission on the Status of Women in NYC for several years and stepped up to District UN Chair when asked. Donna received a Master’s in Education from UMASS, Amherst, MA. and has been a lifelong learner in many areas. Her background in mental health and special education led her to the specialized field of technology for education and administration.
Her experience in global education for the past dozen years has allowed her to travel in person to Belize, China and Germany. Virtual online resources have widely expanded her experience. Global STEM Education Center and NASA Globe projects have given her the opportunity to work with professionals and students from different countries and cultural backgrounds.
Donna is the daughter of immigrant parents, raised on a dairy farm in Vermont. Her adult children currently live in NYC and Los Angeles; and she lives her husband (also a Zontian) and dog in Western Massachusetts.
