Mara Rae Neufeld-Rivera, of New London, has opened Mara Rae Consulting, a human resources consulting practice. Rivera served most recently as vice president of human resources and communications for Simon Pearce and prior to that as director of HR for RSG in White River Junction. Rivera has more than 20 years of experience as a senior human resources strategist and business partner and holds a master’s degree in HR management from Milano Graduate School of International Affairs at The New School, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Queens College, City University of New York. Rivera is also a 2011 alumna of Leadership Upper Valley. For more information, visit www.mararaeconsulting.com.
Ashley Mossell, of West Lebanon, has joined the Biogeochemical Sciences Branch of the Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory as a research physical scientist. Mossell holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Iowa. Her interests include invasive species, trail maintenance and preservation, organizing and scanning fossil records, and prevention of eroding river banks and pollution. The Biogeochemical Sciences Branch conducts research pertaining to the biochemical interactions of natural substances, military and industrial compounds, and emerging contaminants with earth materials such as rocks, minerals, soils, sediment, ice and liquid water under extreme environmental conditions.
Susan Hastings, of Norwich, president of Creative Communications Center of Hanover, recently attended the 30th annual Convention of the National Guild of Hypnotists at the Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough, Mass. More than 1,000 people attended the nonprofit organization’s international educational conference and convention, Hastings said in a news release. A hypnotherapist, author and executive coach, Hastings was a presenter at the 2015 convention. Her topic was “Find the Balance to Bring More Happiness and Joy in Your Life.”
The Sunday Valley News recognizes the achievements of members of the local business community in the Business & Money section. Submissions may be sent by email to: biznotes@vnews.com (high-resolution photographs may be attached in .jpg format), or by mail to: People in Business, c/o Sunday Valley News, P.O. Box 877, White River Junction, Vt. 05001. (Photographs cannot be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.) All items are subject to editing.