To say Kim Lesnewski has a passion for the outdoors would be an understatement. Outside of her career as an MVSB Mortgage Loan Officer (NMLS# 2281255), you will find Kim spending most of her free time in the beautiful New Hampshire wilderness – and educating others to do so with safety in mind.
Kim combined her love for hiking with her passion for volunteering in 2019 when she joined the newly founded Lakes Region Search & Rescue as its President. What started as a small seasonal team has grown into a year-round nonprofit that works closely with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to respond to dozens of rescues calls each year throughout the Lakes Region and White Mountains. She also leads trainings that gives the 70 search-and-rescue volunteers the essential skills they need to find those who are lost or in need of an assist off a mountain.
In addition to responding to calls for those in need, Kim understands the importance of educating new and seasoned hikers to help avoid trail emergencies and tragedies. To help get the word out, she has partnered with agencies to offer wilderness safety presentations at local schools, libraries and to other group organizations to educate community members how to explore nature safely.
“What is amazing about where we live is that we have a strong local hiking community, but we also attract a lot of visitors who enjoy the trails and mountains,” said Kim. “I want everyone to be able to safely enjoy all of the recreational opportunities New Hampshire’s mountains offer, but there is always a risk when hiking and even the most experienced hikers can get injured or lost. We are proud to not only have the ability and resources to help those in need, but to educate others so they have the confidence to get out and explore.”
Kim is a graduate of Leadership Lakes Region and is now a member of their Board of Directors. She regularly volunteers and supports organizations like Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW), Hands Across The Table, the Boys & Girls Club of Central New Hampshire, Make a Wish New Hampshire and the Greater Lakes Region Charitable Fund for Children (Children’s Auction).
She recently completed hiking all 48 4,000-foot mountains in New Hampshire in 2021 with her granddaughter “Little Foot” Scarlett. Kim has also been featured on the television show North Woods Law, New Hampshire Chronicles, and is currently participating in a New Hampshire PBS documentary titled “Windows to the Wild” that will premiere in 2024.
Kim joined MVSB in 2008 after relocating from Connecticut. Bringing four years of prior banking experience, she was hired as a Branch Services Representative and Insurance Specialist in Alton and Wolfeboro and subsequently in Gilford. Through a quick series of well-earned promotions, Kim became a leader in MVSB’s Laconia office: Teller Supervisor in 2015; Branch Services Supervisor in 2016 and Branch Services Manager in 2019. In January 2022, Kim was promoted to Mortgage Loan Officer.
A 2009 graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, she received several diplomas from the Center of Financial Training including Operations Diploma, General Banking Diploma, Banking and Finance Diploma, and Advanced Financial Services Diploma.
Visit mvsb.com/originator/kim-lesnewski to learn more about Kim.
