The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to shine the spotlight on Lorraine M Sanborn in our Community Proud series, sponsored by CorePlus Credit Union. Lorraine is the founder of Fresh Connections for Women Inc. and a longtime Chapter Success Coach whose passion lies in helping women build meaningful relationships, grow their businesses, and thrive both personally and professionally.

Lorraine’s journey has been marked by resilience, family, and a deep dedication to community. Married to her late husband Ray for 30 years, the two shared a love of traveling by motorcycle—making unforgettable trips, including a ride across the northern U.S. to Nova Scotia. Lorraine is also a proud mother to Lori Miller and Scott Rednour and grandmother to Jessica Westervelt, a Special Education teacher, and Tyler Miller, who recently earned his master’s degree and launched his own business. “My children and grandchildren are my life,” Lorraine shared, reflecting on the joy she finds in being such an active part of their lives.

Lorraine has worked every job imaginable! She worked for many years as a waitress, bartender, and a bookkeeper having her own business. She later transitioned into life insurance, where she encountered many individuals who couldn’t qualify for coverage due to health challenges. As a caregiver for her husband, she also struggled to find the right nutritional support for him. Discovering Isagenix was a turning point–she realized that these nutrition products could have made a meaningful difference, both in helping her clients improve their health and in supporting her husband’s wellness needs. Once Lorraine launched her Isagenix business at the age of 72 where her “why” was simple but powerful—she wanted more energy, improved health, and the ability to be present for every milestone in her grandchildren’s lives.

Fresh Connections was born out of Lorraine’s desire to create something different in women’s networking. She saw a gap in traditional networking and envisioned a space where women could move beyond exchanging business cards to build genuine, supportive relationships. The very first chapter started in2010 in Mystic with 11 women and has since grown into bi-weekly meetings and annual forums, always keeping its mission at heart: to provide education, support, and networking opportunities that help members grow, prosper, and achieve their goals in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere.

“Fresh Connections is about so much more than business referrals,” Lorraine explained. “It’s about connection, confidence, and the ripple effect that happens when women support each other.” She credits co-founder Anne-Marie Foster as well as dedicated members like Mary Riley and Kristy Tupper for helping the group grow. As a single-profession organization, Fresh Connections fosters strong collaboration and mutual encouragement, ensuring every member has the opportunity to shine.

Lorraine remains deeply rooted in the Groton area, where she has lived her entire 84 years. She is a fixture at Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce events, actively involved in BNI as both a member and coach, and a frequent supporter of local women’s wellness and business programs. Her philosophy is simple: “Show up, be present, and make connections.”

Even at 84, Lorraine continues to inspire with her boundless energy and commitment. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, being outdoors, reading, traveling, and, above all, being in community with others. “Helping other people inspires me,” she says. “I love waking up each morning knowing I’ll do something that helps someone else or makes a difference.”

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Lorraine Sanborn for her dedication, her vision in creating Fresh Connections, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others. She is a great example of what it means to be Community Proud.