Attorney Dawne Young, chair of the NECC Alumni Association and 2013's Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Susan Bonenfant

The award is given annually to recognize a Northern Essex graduate who has achieved success in his or her career, is active in the community, and has given back to the college.

Bonenfant attended NECC from 1975-1976 before transferring to New Hampshire College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She has also completed several courses toward a graduate degree at Harvard Extension School.

In her role at Pentucket Bank, Bonenfant has been instrumental in the creation of the bank’s Identity Theft and Elder Services programs. Her efforts in protecting senior citizens from financial exploitation have been recognized by state legislators as a model for other banks.

She is active in the community and has received several honors for her community service. In 2009, she was recognized by the Haverhill YWCA’s Tribute to Women.

Additionally, she serves as the treasurer on the Board of Trustees for Girls Inc. of Haverhill. Bonenfant is also a member of the Merrimack Valley Elder Services Advisory Council and the Merrimack Valley Financial Crimes Network.

She is dedicated to Northern Essex Community College, where she has served on the Alumni Association Advisory Board since 2005 and is currently the financial advisor. In the past she has also participated in career panels and spoke at a Women Leaders’ Panel in 2009 and has been a longtime supporter of the NECC Fund and the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Bonenfant was an active promoter of the 1st Annual NECC Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, where she blogged about her training and race experience.

For additional information contact Lindsey Mayo, director of NECC Alumni Relations at 978-556-3621 or lmayo@necc.mass.edu