Leadership Maine

05/19/2026

It's award season! Who is the classmate or fellow alum who epitomizes the core principles of Leadership Maine? Who demonstrates exemplary leadership in leading teams, communites, industry, and/or regions to help increase equitable opportunity and grow Maine's overall economy? Nominate them TODAY for this year's Kenneth M. Curtis, Jr., Leadership Award: https://www.mdf.org/2026-kenneth-m-curtis-award/?&utm_medium=facebook&utm_term=openings

The deadline for nominations is this Friday, May 22.

Pictured: Laura Reading, 2025 Kenneth M. Curtis Award winner, Director of Affordable Housing for 's Collaborative, and LM Eagle Class Alum.

Yellow Light Breen Julie Beane Jan Kearce

05/12/2026

Congratulations to the gifted leaders of MDF's Leadership Maine Gulf of Maine Class upon your graduation from the program! We can't wait to continue our work together and to see where you each take the skills and relationships you forged during the last 10 months. Welcome to the Alumni Network - we are on belay for you now and always. !

Special thanks to the class members who spoke during last Friday's graudation ceremony: Denise Cilley, Samuel Nahimana, and James Beaupre. What powerful wisdom each of you shared.

Thank you to the inimitable Leadership Maine Program Facilitator and leader of leaders Jan Kearce, and the beloved Julie Beane.

Thank you to Androscoggin Bank, key sponsor for the event, and to sponsors Savings Bank, L.L.Bean, and Support Professionals. Thank you to the staff at Lodge on Sebago Lake for creating an atmosphere like no other.

To the Gulf of Maine Class - we will see you soon for more Leadership Maine and leadership development experiences together:
Victoria Abbott Babineau Beaudoin Beaupre Benoit Brown, AICP, CC-P Carr Cilley J. Fisher, MPA, MSc Flatley Fuller, WCP, CPCU, AIDA, AIS, AIM Garrity Harrison Hayward Herr 2Katie Houser Jacobson Johnson Labbe, MBA LaFosse McKernan Morrison Muzzy Nahimana Neal Nickerson Noblin Pierce Percy Price D. Roper, SHRM-CP Rupert, MPHSM Anderson Schucker Seaney Snow Strout Curtis, CPC Wentworth Wetherbee Wise, AIA

04/13/2026

Congratulations to LM Alum, Phi Class Cianchette Maker on the success of under her leadership. The Leadership Maine & Maine Development Foundation family are proud of you and all that has accomplished: https://mainebiz.biz/article/focusmaine-reflects-on-on-decade-long-economic-development-effort/ MDF is proud to continue the work in support of SEA Maine (Seafood Economic Accelerator) includiing the Seafood Promotional Council.

Yellow Light Breen

03/18/2026

The curious, compassionate, and fierce members of Maine Development Foundation's Leadership Maine Gulf of Maine Class learning leadership in action in the midcoast region. Thank you to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Landing, LLC, , Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA), Maine Maritime Museum, Aviation, University of Maine at Augusta, and Maine Space 2030 Corporation for hosting us.

Special thanks to Jeffrey Jordan (MDF ICL Epsilon Class Alum!), Daniel Stevenson, Jaimie Logan, JD, IOM, Kelvin DeCato, Daniel Leclair, PhD, ATP, John Karp for leading the leaders and sharing your wisdom so generously.

Special shoutout to MDF's own Jan Kearce and Julie Beane who work tirelessly year round to make these community and leadership connection experiences possible.

03/05/2026

Join leaders from across the state for peer sharing and learning on a variety of topics of interest to business, government, and NGO communities.

Yellow Light Breen Jan Kearce Julie Beane

MDF is looking forward to learning and strategizing with partners from across the state at the upcoming ClimateWork Maine’s Summit.

Here's what organizers are inviting us all be part of: "This summit brings together business leaders, innovators, and decision-makers who are focused on what’s next for our state — and how we ensure Maine’s economy remains strong and sustainable. To stay competitive, we must be ready to seize emerging opportunities, adapt to change, and lead with innovation, resilience, and forward-thinking strategy."

For more information and to register: https://www.climateworkmaine.org/summit-2026

Featured speakers include many MDF Members and Alumni of our leadership development programs including Linda Ball, President & CEO, Maine Power Company, Andrea Tetzlaff, Publisher, Mainebiz, Kristina Egan, Executive Director, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Michael Duguay, Commissioner, Maine State Department of Economic and Community Development, and Alan Caron

Yellow Light Breen Martin Grohman

02/18/2026

Terrific inimitable learning day for Maine Development Foundation's Leadership Maine Gulf of Maine Class during Mock Legislature Day. Participants take part in simulated policy discussions, negotiations, and committee work on real-life issues at the State House.

Deep gratitude to the current and former state legislators who helped lead the session including: Annie Graham Crosby Giles Knapp Sexton, Carney, Meredith Strang Burgess, Gattine, Senator Ned Claxton as well as Clerk of the Maine House of Representatives Rob Hunt and Asst. Clerk Dunphy.

As Gulf of Maine class member Samuel Nahimana described the experience, "As someone leading a growing social services organization in Maine, I felt the weight of how policy decisions ripple outward — into workforce stability, housing development, payroll, compliance, and ultimately into the lives of the people we serve. What happens in Augusta does not stay in Augusta."

Special shoutout to MDF Leadership Program facilitators and staff Jan Kearce Julie Beane and Sophie Drew - you make it all possible!

Yellow Light Breen

02/17/2026

Calling all busniness leaders and employers! Please lend your thoughts and perspective to the Maine Economic Vision 2035 Survey.

MDF is working with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to gather your thoughts and perspectives on the state’s economic climate, challenges, and opportunities. We are asking business leaders and employers to please fill out the Maine Economic Vision 2035 Survey. It should take only about 10 minutes of your time: https://us1se.voxco.com/S2/8/MEV35/?mod=0&dlang=en

Your responses will directly inform the 2026 report (formerly known as Making Maine Work) and help ensure your voice is reflected in future decisions. Participation is confidential. Thank you!

Yellow Light Breen