Maine Development Foundation

As we celebrate Black History Month, we hope you'll take the 3 minutes to read our Indicator in Action blog which features stories that connect data to real life. This month we highlight Racial Income Equity and how Indigo Arts Alliance and founders Marcia Minter and Daniel Minter, both alums of MDF's ICL (Institute for Civic Leadership) program, are building "global connections by bringing together Black and Brown artists from diverse backgrounds to engage in their creative process, while building lasting relationships rooted in co-mentorship". It is a powerful model as we continue to strive to build and sustain a more equitable Maine culture and economy. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/epi8vcRd #blackhistorymonth #racialequity #racialincomeequity #incomeequity

Welcome to the MDF family, Holly Heymann! MDF is thrilled to announce Holly has joined us as our new Director of Finance. You can learn more about Holly here: https://lnkd.in/gWDCWMnq Yellow Light Breen Rosie Vanadestine CEcD Janet Sydnor Linda Ball Catherine Wygant Fossett Trampas Hutches Michael McKernan Dayton Benway Theresa Cody, CERP Carlos Mello

Looking for connection and strategies to lead in new ways during these turbulent times? We've got you covered and supported! Join the next (2025-2026) cohort class of MDF's Leadership Maine or ICL (Institute for Civic Leadership) Apply to either program here: https://lnkd.in/gfuTauwa And if you know a colleague or friend who is ready to step up to the next level of leadership, ready to expand their contributions to their work or community nominate them! Leadership Maine nominations here: https://lnkd.in/g8zBzN5 ICL nominations here: https://lnkd.in/guzGaP7 Let's continue to expand Maine's leadership bench - the powerful combined 31-year network of 2,000+ participants/alumni of both programs ! #Dirigo Jan Kearce Yellow Light Breen Rosie Vanadestine CEcD Janet Sydnor Julie Beane Sophie Drew Alex Gramling Kristen Wells Nicole Morin-Scribner Marcia Minter Katie Shorey David C. Pease Cheryl Miller Rich Brooks Bangor Savings Bank The Jackson Laboratory Maine Community Foundation Maine State Chamber of Commerce University of Maine System (UMS) Luke Dyer Martin's Point Health Care flyte new media Hannaford SupermarketsEthos Marketing and Design Mainebiz Nellie Mae Education Foundation Versant Power MMG Insurance L.L.Bean Central Maine Power Company

Congratulations to Dan Coyne, an alum of MDF's ICL (Institute for Civic Leadership) program (Sigma Class) on this promotion. We look forward to our continued work with you and the United Way of Southern Maine team. And congratulations to Liz Cotter Schlax. MDF has such deep gratitude for all you have done as a partner in our work, how you have modeled compassionate, collaborative leadership, and how you have been a force for good in Maine. We look forward to continuing to learm from and partner with you in your next chapter.

Calling all ICL & Leadership Maine alums! Join us for an evening of laughter and fun as we celebrate all the ways YOU lead across Maine. We are accepting applications for the 2025-2026 classes so bring your leadership-curious friends and colleagues who could benefit from going through either program! Register here: https://lnkd.in/geKaj_yV Jan Kearce Yellow Light Breen Julie Beane Janet Sydnor Anne Ball Rosie Vanadestine CEcD Perri Williams Sophie Drew David C. Pease Kristen Wells Laura Young Anne Morin Nicole Morin-Scribner Cheryl Miller Ross Cunningham Alistair Raymond Keith Bisson Linda Ball Catherine Wygant Fossett Theresa Cody, CERP Michael Bourque Michael McKernan Meredith Strang Burgess Kevin Hancock Katie Shorey Alex Gramling Ericka (Dodge) Katz Teresa Nizza Thanks to our host sponsor Nate Wildes and Flight Deck Brewing! Live and Work in Maine The Jackson Laboratory L.L.Bean University of Maine System (UMS) MMG Insurance Versant Power Hannaford Supermarkets Nellie Mae Education Foundation Maine Community Foundation Martin's Point Health Care

Still riding high and trusting the relationships forged during MDF's 2025 Policy Leaders Academy bus tour will serve our state for years to come! Last week's bus tour culminated on day 3 last Friday where we were in community with partners from across The County. The 60+ state legislators from all parties who participated were bowled over by the warm welcome and experiential opportunites to learn that our Aroostook partners & hosts provided. #Dirigo! Special thanks to our host partners that included: Caribou Inn & Convention Center University of Maine at Presque Isle Northern Maine Community College Penobscot McCrum, LLC Boys and Girls Club of Border Towns Thanks to WAGM-TV and reporter Megan Waceken for the coverage & story: https://lnkd.in/gVTD4-wc And thank you to our PLA partners & Aroostook sponsors who make it all possible: MMG Insurance University of Maine System (UMS) @Maine State Legislature ELMINA B SEWALL FOUNDATION Educate Maine Maine Community Foundation The Bingham Program Maine State Chamber of Commerce And to the MDFers who pour their hearts and souls into this program: Sophie Drew Julie Beane Yellow Light Breen

Just a few of our favorite. moments from Day #2 (yesterday, Jan 30) of MDF's Policy Leaders Academy. The cohort of 60+ state legislators of all parties from all corners of Maine started out the day on the shores of Millinocket Lake experiencing outdoor recreation in the Katadin Region led by MDF Leadership Maine program alum and award winner Matthew Polstein, founder and director of @New England Outdoor Center, and steadfast advocate for a diverse, robust Katahdin Region economy. Notice Mt. Katahdin in the background! Our mind-body, whole selves were then nurtured with time spent with the team at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. Shoutout to the Center's Executive Director & MDF's ICL & Leadership Maine alum, award-winner, and MDF Board Member @Lisa Sockabasin. Then on to a superb lunch at @Katahdin Higher Education Center - shoutout to MDF's ICL alum and award winner Deb Rountree, M.Ed! Minds blown during our time with Tiny Homes of Maine - our partners there are cherished and so inspiring. Then on to Houlton where folks gave us such a warm welcome complete with marquee status! Special thanks to @Nancy Ketch and the @Town of Houlton @Temple Theater @WHOU @Houlton Water District Special thanks to LP Building Solutions - Houlton and plant manager Andrew Savage & procurement manager Dale Currier for the cool tour of the mill site. The day culminated with a delicious dinner and warm hospitality of our partners and the team at University of Maine at Presque Isle ❤️ Deep gratitude to our partners and sponsors of PLA who make it all possible: Educate Maine Maine Community Foundation University of Maine System (UMS) Maine State Chamber of Commerce University of Maine Maine State Legislature ELMINA B SEWALL FOUNDATION and The Bingham Program Katahdin Trust F.A. Peabody Insurance CIANBRO Hancock Lumber and The Jackson Laboratory And to the MDFers who plan all year and lead the tour: Julie Beane Sophie Drew and Yellow Light Breen

So wonderful to be in community recently with folks from the Town of Madison, TimberHP, and our video production partners, No Umbrella Media. Together we filmed a video about the economic & workforce boost to the community through grants from Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and @Maine Rural Development Authority. The towns of @Millinocket, @Ashland, @Lincoln, and @East Millinocket also received grants through the program. MDF is honored to have worked with these 5 towns to secure the funds and how to use them to revitalize mill sites and the local economies. Special thanks to Tim Curtis and Amy Noble for showing us the ropes and the Timber HP inner workings! "Its the world's largest E-Z Bake oven!" says Amy. Shoutout to Adam Thacker and our own Yellow Light Breen for braving the cold and to Andrew Burgess for the stellar editing. #foresteconomy #economidevelopment #communitydevelopment #revitalization

60+ legislators from all parties are on the bus for 3 days and in community with each other and folks across western and northern Maine! Its MDF's Policy Leaders Academy - the on-site, experiential learning program now in its 40th year that helps legislators learn about Maine's economy, the interconnectedness of industries and regions, and - perhaps most importantly - form bonds that transcend party lines. Here's just some of the scenes from yesterday's (Wednesday 1/29) kickoff: legislators on the bus from the Statehouse to Bangor; site visit to @United Technologies Center in Bangor and legislators learning from high school students who participate and who can earn college credits up to a full Associates degree, as well as the businesses who employ OR want to employ them; site visit and panel discussion at @New England Outdoor Center / @Ktaadn Resorts Events Center in Millinocket and hearing, among other info, how outdoor Recreation contributes $3.4 billion to the state’s GDP and fosters over 30,000 jobs. Special shoutout to Jacob Lachance of PLA sponsor and key partner Maine State Chamber of Commerce for sharing your awesome photos. Thank you to our PLA partners/sponsors: University of Maine Maine Community Foundation Educate Maine @Elmina B. Sewall Foundation University of Maine System (UMS) @The Bingham Program @Maine State Legislature and as mentioned above Maine State Chamber of Commerce. You make it all possible! Kudos to the MDF team that pours their heart, souls, and energy into PLA Julie Beane, Sophie Drew, and Yellow Light Breen

Leading an organization with creativity and compassion in addition to strategic and operational acumen is at the heart of Megan Shapiro Ross's style. In turn, her organization is having deep and broad impact on the entire Seacoast Region. Much of this Megan attributes to her time with MDF's Leadership Maine program. Read Megan's story: https://lnkd.in/gWXw5s5w We hope you'll be inspired to help others like Megan access scholarship funds that make participation in our leadership development programs possible - donate today: https://lnkd.in/gdFWWiud @Mainspring Footprints Food Pantry Fair Tide, Inc. Flinkstrom, Emily Jan Kearce Janet Sydnor Yellow Light Breen Bangor Savings Bank Maine Community Foundation L.L.Bean The Jackson Laboratory Central Maine Power Company Linda Ball Catherine Wygant Fossett David C. Pease Kevin Hancock Hannaford Supermarkets