Amidst their growing entrepreneurial success, Art and Jenn Meconi have never strayed from their origin story.
The two met in 1993 on a Habitat for Humanity build site, where they discovered a shared vision. “We were in a migrant farming community who had lost their entire village during Hurricane Andrew,” recalls Jenn. “The home we helped build was for a single mom with two young children.”
Years later, as leaders of Meconi Financial Management & Advisory — a concierge-based, interdisciplinary wealth management practice they built from the ground up — the Meconis’ mutual commitment to community-building has endured.
The springboard for much of their nonprofit work has been the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, which connects small businesses to one another so they can thrive together. Meconi Financial has certainly benefited from these relationships in growing their own business, but they are also motivated to boost local organizations in the process.
Art and Jenn have been especially engaged in getting to know others who share their desire to promote lifelong learning and citizenship. They are drawn to educational initiatives, like those of Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC), which they got to know during a Chamber event. “I didn’t realize the breadth of their organization,” Jenn says. Her admiration for PMAC echoes her work with Habitat for Humanity over 30 years ago. “They offer a community,” she explains, “a social setting that helps to prevent isolation and encourage connection.”
The Meconis’ sponsorship of arts outreach extends beyond the Seacoast, northward into Portland, Maine. At the intersection of Jenn’s history as a ballet dancer and Art’s board position with the Cumberland Club of Maine, they embraced the opportunity to foster the growth of the Portland Ballet and its programming for all ages. They have helped to bring the ballet to Portsmouth’s 3S Artspace and The Music Hall. In so doing, they serve not just as patrons, but also as ambassadors. As Art explains, “We want everyone to be successful around us.”
At home in Portsmouth, the Meconis have also turned their attention toward organizations that promote safety and trauma-informed care. With a master’s degree in social work, Jenn is an advocate for treatment and prevention, and she finds her values echoed in those of HAVEN, a beacon of survivor safety and violence prevention in New Hampshire. “The prevention piece is so key,” she says. “I love HAVEN’s model: age-appropriate education around self-advocacy, while also supporting victims and survivors.” She serves on the steering committee of HAVEN’s $8 million capital campaign, working to share their mission as they seek to grow.
It’s this same dedication to safety and healing that has inspired Jenn and Art to support Safe Haven Ballet, an organization that reflects their appreciation for the arts in trauma-informed spaces that nurture healing. They have also connected with The Chase Home, which was established in 1877 and has provided at-risk youth and families with safe housing, treatment, and life skills. Says Jenn, “We need to prepare all children, as a caring community, to gain independence and find their way.”
The Meconis’ focus on community wellbeing has also been integral in their ongoing work for the Mary and John Elliot Charitable Foundation, which serves to sustain Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Elliot has held special meaning for Art and Jenn ever since their older son endured a medical emergency more than 10 years ago. “They were there when we desperately needed it,” reflects Jenn. “That sticks with you as a parent.”
Their son is now a healthy senior in college, and Art and Jenn have been devoted to giving back. Jenn has spoken at the foundation’s annual gala, and Art sits on the board of the directors. As the demand for care increases and the hospital aims to grow their services, the Meconis are proudly working to help introduce the Elliot system to the Seacoast as they expand their resources in cardiology, neonatal care, and maternal medicine.
Simply put, Art says, “We want New Hampshire people to be able to access healthcare in New Hampshire.” For Jenn, it goes back to that core principle of prevention. “Having healthcare nearby prevents other problems,” she says. For both Meconis, it’s about building and sustaining community. While they utilize their financial expertise to do their jobs well, they also plant the seeds of their success to support healthy, educated citizens.
This author once heard a wise man advise his students, “If you want to know about a community, take a look at its non-profit organizations.” We could add to this advice: take a look at the partners who support those non-profits. Here in Portsmouth, the Meconis are shining a light, sending a message of gratitude and generosity. Art captures it well: “We want to be a place where nonprofits and businesses can thrive. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
"We want everyone to be successful around us. We need to prepare all children, as a caring community, to gain independence and find their way. We want to be a place where nonprofits and businesses can thrive. A rising tide lifts all boats."