Humans of the Upper Valley: One Story at a Time

I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by Humans of the Upper Valley, which aims to tell the stories of the wonderful and diverse Upper Valley community. Through these stories, we get at the heart of the human experience, highlighting our common humanity.

I've included the interview below, but I encourage you to take a look at the many features of your neighbors, friends, and colleagues. The Upper Valley is rich with stories and I love that Humans of the Upper Valley seeks to bring those stories to the fore. 

Here is my interivew, published Oct 19, 2026

“After college, I spent three summers as the resident stage manager for Opera North. I never thought that I would live here full time, but I met my husband through Opera North. We worked together for a few summers, started dating long-distance, and then he followed me to the D.C. area. We both worked in the theater industry there for about 15 years.

The pandemic did a number on the performing arts industry, and we decided it was time to get out of the city and recalibrate. That’s how we ended up back here, moving into our apartment the day before Christmas Eve 2020. I took the opportunity for a little midlife retirement, which was a great privilege — to be able to recenter myself after leaving a career was such a gift. I spent a lot of time gardening, volunteering in the community, and getting to know people.

Then we started Strong Rabbit Designs, specializing in merch and graphic design. We joined the Upper Valley Business Alliance (UVBA) and it was such a great resource as we got off the ground. When the opportunity to lead UVBA came up, I just thought it was a good match for my years of experience in nonprofit management and administration, along with being an entrepreneur and relationship-builder in the Upper Valley. I love showing up to work every day.

UVBA is the regional Chamber of Commerce serving the entire Upper Valley. We serve our membership through marketing exposure, workforce development, and legislative advocacy. There is a lot of turnover in the workforce here, so we try to help people get connected and put down roots in the region. We have about 500 members in total and new businesses join every week. It is a big community, and it has been really fun to see the business community support each other in different ways.

I have lived and worked in a lot of places across the U.S. and abroad, but I have never lived somewhere where people are so committed to supporting local businesses and business owners. And I know it’s not just me; I hear others comment on it as well. There is such support from the community for the new local restaurant, or cleaning business, or flower shop. It’s incredible to see.

One thing that I really like about the Upper Valley is that the people are so interesting. Nobody has just one job. I came from an industry where people laser-focus on a single career path and spend 30 years honing a highly specialized skill. To see how folks here marry their homesteading with their psychology studies and their day job as an accountant is really inspiring. It sounds so simple, but it is really cool to see how human people are. I think that’s easy to forget in larger cities.

I think what has been really fulfilling throughout my career has been advocating for people. Whether it was for artists, people I worked with, clients, or businesses and business owners, my work has always been about advocacy on some level. I find it fulfilling to advocate not just for business owners, but for the Upper Valley as a whole. It’s a really special place.”

– Morgan Brophy, Lebanon, NH

October 19, 2026