HAVERHILL — Benchmark at Haverhill Crossings, an assisted living and mind & memory care community, has appointed Haverhill resident Laura Lynn Morrissey as executive director.
Morrissey brings more than three decades of client services and operations experience in the financial services and healthcare industries, along with a strong passion for wellness.
Morrissey spent the first part of her career in financial services working mostly for Fidelity Investments in senior leadership roles. After experiencing first-hand, the challenges of caring for aging parents, she was drawn to helping all seniors improve their quality of life.
In 2016, Morrissey transitioned to healthcare, becoming president of a home care agency. In 2023, she founded SilverSavvy LLC, which focuses on personalized, holistic life care planning.
With a passion for healthy living, Morrissey is a certified senior fitness trainer, nutrition coach and dementia care practitioner. She also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“Laura Lynn brings a great passion for aging well and a wealth of experience to Haverhill Crossings,” said Jennifer LaCroix, regional director of operations for Benchmark Senior Living. “We feel very fortunate to have her expertise as we usher in a new chapter at Haverhill Crossings following its recent community-wide renovation.”
Benchmark at Haverhill Crossings, a senior assisted living community in Haverhill, provides personalized care spanning independent assisted living to secure memory care assisted living.
“The strongest communities are built on connection and teamwork, which is what attracted me to Benchmark,” said Morrissey. “Haverhill Crossings is a very special community with strong family ties, so I look forward to this next chapter in my career.”
Chamber hosts networking night
HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) hosted a Next Generation Leaders Networking Nights on Wednesday evening at Skyline Social Rooftop at BOSA in Haverhill.
The event brought together a strong turnout of young professionals from across the Merrimack Valley for an evening of networking, collaboration and career growth. Attendees had the opportunity to make new connections, exchange ideas and engage with peers.
“This event highlights the chamber’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of business leaders and creating opportunities for meaningful connections within our region,” said Michael Bevilacqua, President & CEO of MVCC.
For more information about upcoming events and programs, visit merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
‘Bend and Brews’ event in Andover
ANDOVER — The Wild Om, a yoga and fitness studio, will hold a pop-up event at 11 a.m. April 12, at Oak & Iron Brewing Company, 18 Red Spring Road.
The “Bend and Brews” event will combine a 60-minute vinyasa yoga class followed by a social hour. Tickets are $39 and those interested can register at thewildom.com
The Wild Om, at 28 Chestnut St., will take its classes on the road for the event.
Owners and co-founders Mari Strait and Chris Leduc said they created the spot to serve as an inclusive heated studio “rooted in warmth, intention and community” where everyone feels accepted and more energized after a class.
“After years of attending boutique fitness studios, I knew what I loved and what I felt could be better,” Strait said. “I wanted to create a space that’s welcoming and inclusive, offering a variety of class styles and teaching methodologies. Most importantly, a place where you don’t feel intimidated walking in, but instead feel supported to grow individually while finding community collectively.”
The studio on Chestnut Street offers a diverse schedule of classes for all ages and fitness levels, including heated Vinyasa flows, sculpt and kids’ classes,.
For class schedules, promotions and upcoming events, visit thewildom.com.
Watts named most charitable
NORTH ANDOVER — Watts Water Technologies, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and providers of plumbing, heating and water quality products and solutions, was named one of Newsweek’s 2026 Most Charitable Companies on March 11.
The recognition demonstrates the measurable impact of the company’s philanthropic efforts in the communities it serves.
Newsweek, in partnership with Statista, conducted a multi-layered process to score eligible companies, with the top 2,000 U.S.-headquartered public companies reviewed. The candidate pool was then assessed across three channels to produce a detailed scoring analysis: Panel Survey, Social Listening and KPI Collection and Analysis.
Watts made the top 300.
“As a leader in global water technologies and solutions, it is our responsibility to bring positive impact to our communities, build on our customer-driven innovations, and grow our global charitable initiatives in the coming years,” said Robert Pagano Jr., CEO, president and chairperson of the Board at Watts.
“This recognition empowers our people to continue giving back to communities around the world, and continue to know their efforts make a difference for the future.”
In the past year, Watts was also recognized by TIME, USA Today, Barron’s, Top Places to Work and Handshake, in addition to multiple Newsweek awards.
To learn more about Watts’ Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and initiatives, visit watts.com/our-story/sustainability.
Economic expo coming in April
HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Economic Development Conference Expo Luncheon at noon to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at Phoenician Restaurant, 12 Alpha St.
The event will feature Eric Paley, Masssachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development.
The conference will discuss the state of the Massachusetts economy and how the Merrimack Valley is moving forward. A speaker panel for the event is to be announced soon.
Members can attend for $39 while future members pay $49.
Register or sponsor the conference at merrimackvalleychamber.com.
Women’s series networking night
HAVERHILL — Join the women’s monthly networking mixer, “Winning Opportunities for Women,” or WOW, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the Renaissance Golf Club, 377 Kenoza St.
Women from all industries and backgrounds can connect through these events. Female business owners, entrepreneurs and others are welcome to build relationships, share ideas and support one another in this relaxed, social setting.
The event will feature local vendors Sweet London Bakery and More Than Cheese Handcrafted & Themed Charcuterie.
To register, visit haverhillchamber.com. This event is free for both members and non-members.
HOTWORX opens in Salem
SALEM — The Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of HOTWORX with a ribbon cutting.
Located at 203 South Broadway, Unit 1, HOTWORX offers 24/7 access to virtually guided infrared sauna workouts, including hot cycling, hot Pilates and hot yoga.
These 15-to-30-minute sessions are perfect for busy schedules and designed with fast recoveries in mind.
To learn more, visit hotworx.net/studio/salem