40 Under 40 Awards Magazine 2016

THANK YOU
TO OUR SPONSORS
A glimpse of LA’s future through the actions of 40
There can be no doubt that the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Area is home to numerous
rising stars that are shaping our future. Whether through creating new businesses, assisting or
creating philanthropic endeavors, or being actively engaged in our communities today’s professionals
are actively working for a brighter future.
They lead organizations and businesses or are employees, customers and residents that flow
through and support the region’s communities, creating links to each other and our future. As
members of the LA Metro area, they are working together building a brighter future with increased
economic activity, more jobs, increased population, better schools and infrastructure.
We are a community of choice— people choose to live, work, learn and entertain themselves
here. New generations of young adults are choosing to stay or move back to LA. We should continue
to be a community of choice where there is place for all people and for businesses of all
size and interest. The LA Metro area is building a
bright future and we are currently on the cusp of
realizing our full potential as a community.
Now is the time to embrace our future as a
larger community; embrace the opportunities that
we are on the brink of and explore our future as a
collective community that attracts visitors, investors
and industry — together.
MARS
SPECIAL EVENT
MARKETING
I am sure with the high quality of people
highlighted within this magazine that we will
achieve everything above and more.
Congratulations to this year’s Uplift LA 40
under 40 award winners! Continue to make us
proud!
Best,
Matt J. Leonard
President & CEO
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
3

19
CHANGE LEADERS
Lewiston Auburn is on the verge of
greatness. With its many bright spots,
people are taking notice.
by Shanna Cox
48
COMMUNITY JUBILEE
Lewiston’s Trinity Jubilee Center
makes a difference every day.
by Erin Reed
65
WE ARE TREE
Tree Street Youth leads by example
for our area youth.
by Julia Sleeper
Read all about the 2016 Class of
40 Under 40 with 4 winners in each
of 10 categories:
BUILDING LA page 5
CREATIVE GENIUS page 12
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT page 21
EDUCATION page 28
EMERGING LEADERS page 34
ENTREPRENEURS page 43
GOVERNMENT page 50
HEALTH & WELLNESS page 55
LOCAL HEROES page 61
VOLUNTEERS page 67
___________________________________
ON THE COVER:
First glimpse of Uplift LA’s Inaugural 40 Under 40.
This top notch, classy group of emerging leaders left to right:
Sadie Landry, Joseph Philippon & Karley Eretzian
Message from the Chair:
Congratulations 40 Under 40 Winners!
Uplift LA is pleased to honor the 40 individuals from across diverse backgrounds
as the 2016 recipients of Uplift LA’s 40 Under 40! The rising professionals represented
throughout this program highlight every aspect of our community that we know and
love. They are individuals who give countless hours of volunteer time toward the continuous
improvement of LA Maine, who are successful and unique entrepreneurs, and
who have stepped into leadership roles both in their professional and personal lives. I
personally would like to congratulate each and every one on the tremendous honor of
representing LA Maine’s emerging professional group!
The year 2016 has proven to be a very special year for Uplift LA! Over the past ten
years, our organization has developed into the voice for local young professionals. From
promoting career, social, and community development and strengthening the vibrant
emerging professional community, to advocating for the strategic revitalization of the
LA downtown as The Young Professionals of the Lewiston-Auburn Area (YPLAA), we
have emerged as the forum for engaged talented professionals. Today, we are proud to
present you with the collaborative efforts of hundreds of individuals before us –
thousands of hours of volunteered time among them – with the next generation of
support for the rising professionals of Lewiston Auburn: Uplift LA.
Uplift LA is the platform for rising professionals in our community. From monthly
personal and professional development seminars to business networking opportunities,
the forum for promoting the needs and careers of emerging professionals has been
solidified. The annual Y-Not? Challenge, a two week scavenger hunt style community
service and civic engagement challenge – designed to educate, motivate, and recruit
the next generation of community leaders, is a staple within the LA community. Y-Not?
has been the spark for many past participants to pursue civic responsibilities in both our
local governments and public schools, to join boards of local non-profit organizations,
and to becoming more involved with the rising
professional movement by shaping the programming of
Uplift LA. We look forward to a future of collaboration and
great partnerships with the rising professionals and
businesses throughout LA Maine!
Best regards,
Dr. Ashlee Vandiver
Uplift LA Chair
4 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

Mommy, daughter moment
building LA
Chantel Pettengill
Owner & Director, Pettengill Academy
It was her own struggle to find childcare
that aligned with her philosophies
about early childhood development that led
Chantel to start her own early learning
child care business in her home three years
ago. Today, Chantel is the proud founder
and owner of Pettengill Academy with her
husband, Zachary. Chantel’s family has a
long history of living and doing business in
Lewiston, and opening Pettengill Academy
was her way of carrying on the tradition.
As a business owner, Chantel is responsible
for daily operations, increasing enrollment,
managing employees, and other administrative
duties for the Academy. She loves
her job because it allows her to interact with
many different families, help children grow
and learn, mentor her teachers and, most
importantly, soak up the daily baby cuddles.
Chantel’s favorite thing about LA is the
sense of community. She loves living in
Lewiston, with the local grocery store
nearby and many things to do with her children;
Chantel feels Lewiston is a safe and
diverse place to raise her family. Some of
her favorite places to
eat in LA include Mac’s
Grill, Gritty’s and
DaVinci’s for family date
nights and Fish Bones
and Marche for date
nights with her husband.
Her favorite breakfast
spots include Forage
Market and Hurricane’s
Café & Deli. During her
free time, Chantel loves
spending time with her
family walking and
snowshoeing on the numerous
trails that LA has
to offer and enjoying the
festivals and art walks in
Lewiston.
Chantel is a member
of the Joint City Charter
Commission, an organization looking to
combine LA in efforts to strengthen both
cities. She also participates on the board of
directors for the Maine Association of Educating
Young Children. Apart from her
board activities, Chantel does her best to
give back through her business whenever
possible. One of the biggest challenges
Chantel sees facing LA is what she calls the
“it always has been” attitude. She hopes to
see changes in city ordinances to better attract
and facilitate growth in business. Another
important piece to the puzzle for
Chantel is to get rid of negative attitudes in
our community and encourage our youth to
find their voice and get involved.
In ten years, Chantel will be the parent
of two teenagers. She and her husband
hope to have established five or more locations
for Pettengill Academy in both Maine
and in other states. They also aspire to diversify
their business and to continue creating
and executing new development
projects. Chantel plans to work together
with her husband to make Lewiston more
business friendly and to encourage growth
for LA.
Beautiful day for apple picking All dressed up
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
5

Judging
Process
2016 AWARDS MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER
MARS Special Event Marketing
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jim Marston
MARSmarketing2016@gmail.com
An annual list of 40 people who have achieved success
in their professional pursuit before turning 40.
Nearly 500 nominations were submitted for approximately
180 individuals. Uplift LA received almost 5,000
final votes for the 40 individuals represented as the
Uplift LA 40 Under 40 honorees.
Who is eligible?
Anyone living or working in the Lewiston Auburn
Metropolitan area that is under the age of 40 as of
May 13, 2016; the publication date.
Who are we looking for?
Local business and professional leaders who have
achieved success and excelled in their field before the
age of 40. We're looking for people who have demonstrated
leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing
their careers, and who are likely to continue to achieve
in the future.
What are the nomination categories?
Building LA, Creative Geniuses, Economic Development,
Education, Emerging Leaders, Entrepreneurs,
Government, Health & Wellness, Local Heroes, and
Volunteers.
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Matt Leonard
matt@LAMetroChamber.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Jim Marston
Matt Leonard
Tim Rucker
GRAPHIC DESIGN / MAGAZINE LAYOUT
Jim Marston
Matt Leonard
WRITERS
Melissa Donahue
Ashlee Vandiver
Erin Reed
Julia Sleeper
Matt Leonard
Shanna Cox
PHOTOGRAPHY
40 Under 40 Winners, Emmie Jones Photography
Beautiful LA, Daniel Marquis Photography
CONTRIBUTORS
Maureen Aube
Anchour
Penmor Lithographers
How do I submit a nomination?
We will open the nominations for Uplift LA 40 under
40 in late fall / early winter for the 2017 class.

uilding LA
Erin Reed
Executive Director, Trinity Jubilee Center
Erin’s official title at the Trinity Jubilee
Center is Executive Director and Food
Pantry Coordinator, but if you ask her, she
will tell you that everyone at the Center
carries several job titles. She describes her
daily work as a “whirlwind” of various
different tasks, from handing out food to
helping people with job applications, in
addition to her administrative duties. Serving
more than 1,000 people every week
through its meals program, food pantry,
day shelter, resource center, and refugee integration
program, the Center is always
busy.
Erin began volunteering at the Jubilee
Center when she was a teenager. In 2010,
she found an opportunity to return to the
Center working through AmeriCorps. At
the end of her year with AmeriCorps, Erin
was hired for her current position when
another staff member retired. Her favorite
part about her job is that it is always
changing. One day she may be running
food pantry distribution, the next she
could be writing a grant, or helping someone
apply for their green card. Erin also
loves hearing from people who have gotten
jobs or found places to live with the assistance
of the Center, people she describes
as “determined and grateful.”
Growing up in a suburb just outside
of Boston, Erin saw people move in, raise
their children, and move out. There was
no sense of a collective history or of
community. Her favorite
thing about LA is that it
is a real community
where many people
come to, raise their families,
and stay. She loves
that people in LA have a
sense of responsibility to
their neighbors, like the
Lewiston police officer
who taught her how to
shoot, her mechanic who
volunteers to hang up
posters for the Center
fundraisers, or the
friendly strangers who
help unload her truck at
the Center after hours.
She is proud to have a
job that is all about giving
back to the wonderful
community she lives
in. Beyond her work at the Center, Erin
serves on the board of directors for Community
Concepts, another local organization
that provides a myriad of services to
our citizens who need it.
One of the biggest challenges Erin sees
facing LA is the need for more jobs.
Through the Jubilee Center, Erin has
helped more than two hundred people
apply for work over the last six months. A
lot of people were hired, she says, but
many still need work. Many of the people
who rely on the Center for their meals and
other necessities would much rather be
working and providing for themselves,
and Erin wants to help them realize their
goals. The Career Center and Adult Education
programs have done a great job providing
job training and the Center is seeing
more manufacturing and agricultural
jobs opening up. She has her fingers
crossed that the job climate in LA will
continue to improve.
Erin hard at work t the Jubilee Center
Jerry DerBoghosian poses with Erin
Aba Abu, Jamila Jama, Kim Wettlaufer with Erin
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
7

uilding LA
Gabrielle Russell
Architect, Platz & Associates
Gabrielle was encouraged by her parents
to pursue architecture from a young
age. Though it was a tough program, she
persevered and earned her bachelor’s and
master’s degrees in architecture from Tulane
University. Before she went to work
for Platz & Associates as
an architect in 2014,
Gabrielle was a founding
member and President
of the Board of Directors
for Grow L+A, a local organization
with a mission
to promote a vibrant
urban landscape and access
to sustainable living
resources throughout the
LA area. Through Grow
L+A the idea for the
Bates Mill No. 5 project
was born: studies were
conducted and plans
were made to utilize the
space to create access to
good, local food. As an
architect for Platz & Associates,
Gabrielle feels
fortunate to be involved
in the final execution of
the project.
Previous projects that
Gabrielle was involved
in through Grow L+A include
the “Art Walk
Window,” with Grow
L+A sponsoring a space
during the final Friday
Art Walk each year
where children can go to make art during
the event. Grow L+A also contributed to
the Downtown Auburn Transportation
Center project as well as a project known
as “Friends of Pettingill,” which worked to
create a two acre park in the place of the
old Pettingill School in Lewiston.
Growing up in downtown Auburn,
Gabrielle has always appreciated the people,
the history, and the accessibility that
LA has to offer. When she returned to
Maine after college, she was happy to find
a local internship that offered an opportunity
to get involved in her community and
to make a positive impact. In her spare
time she enjoys many of LA’s excellent
restaurants, with some favorites including
Fuel, Rails, Marche, DaVinci’s, Guthrie’s,
and many more. She likes to spend time
with her family and friends and travels
whenever she can. Gabrielle remains active
with Grow L+A, --and is also involved
with the YMCA and the Auburn Business
Development Corporation. Other passions
of hers include building preservation and
urban space integration, animals, the arts,
and healthy living. Currently, Gabrielle’s
primary focus and interest lie with the
Bates Mill No. 5 project.
In the next ten years, Gabrielle plans
to continue her efforts to preserve history
and architecture in LA while still working
to bring more activity and liveliness to the
area. She hopes to see Bates Mill No. 5 become
a regional destination and for the LA
community as a whole to thrive. In order
to achieve these goals, Gabrielle feels it is
important for those working to better LA
to improve communication and learn to
collaborate more effectively to avoid the
challenges of disconnect. Through her
work at Platz & Associates, Grow L+A and
other local organizations, Gabrielle will continue
to be an integral part of building LA.
Gabby’s family on vacation
2001 Maine Cherry Blossom Princess
Graduation day at Tulane University
8 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

uilding LA
Marc Gosselin
Executive Director of Sport Tourism
& Manager of the Norway Savings Bank Arena
Marc’s career in sports business
began with the Lewiston Maineiacs
hockey team, where he worked for four
seasons. After the Maineiacs, Marc
moved on first to the Portland Pirates,
and then for the Maine Red Claws, while
also doing development work for Central
Maine Community College. Two of
his fondest memories
from that time are planning
and managing the
2010 AHL All-Star
Game and being a part
of the Lewiston
Maineiacs team that
won the 2007 President’s
Cup. Last summer,
Marc was hired by
the City of Auburn as
General Manager of the
Norway Savings Bank
Arena and Executive
Director of Sports
Tourism for the City of
Auburn. As general
manager, Marc is in
charge of the overall operation
of the Arena. In
his role as Executive Director
of Sports
Tourism, he assists the
City of Auburn and surrounding
areas with
marketing and development
efforts aimed at
making LA a choice destination
for recreational
and sporting events.
Born and raised in LA,
Marc moved away for
short periods in the past but always
seemed to find his way back here. He is
drawn to the LA community because of
its people, who he feels truly value the
opportunities that the area has to offer.
In a smaller and more tight-knit community
like LA, Marc appreciates the relative
ease with which a positive impact
can be made. He is blessed to have a job
he loves and to live
and work in the community where he
grew up. When he is not working, Marc
enjoys attending sporting events, playing
golf and hockey, and visiting some of his
favorite LA eateries which include
Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli, Wei-Li Restaurant,
Gritty’s and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Beyond the world of sports, Marc is
passionate about helping children. He
participates in the Camp Sunshine Annual
Benefit Golf Tournament to support
the Camp Sunshine mission of providing
a retreat for children with life threatening
illnesses and their families. When time allows,
he volunteers at various local functions
and events and enjoys offering his
professional skills to friends and colleagues
in a combined effort to make positive
impacts on the LA community.
According to Marc, one of the greatest
challenges facing LA today is the need
for community revitalization. He would
like to see a wider range of revitalization
initiatives, including more programs,
events and functions designed to promote
economic development and improve
the physical, social and service
environments in Lewiston and Auburn.
Marc plans to utilize his position as Executive
Director of Sports Tourism to attract
more business and prosperity to LA.
Overlooking one of the two rinks at the arena
Marc interviews Sébastien Piché
On ice at the Winter Classic
10 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

creative genius
Colby Michaud
Owner, Praxis Production Studios
Colby co-founded Praxis Production
Studios in 2010 with then-partner, Chad
Sylvester. The original vision for the company
was to start a real estate reality TV
series, however, the two partners soon realized
that they could use their love of
video production to promote the many
different opportunities and services the
LA community has to offer. Last year,
Colby assumed full ownership of Praxis
and Chad moved on to pursue a new business
endeavor. Today, the Studio “exists
to help companies promote themselves by
giving life to their stories and brands
through high quality corporate and promotional
videos.” Beyond the pride and
joy he takes in running his own company,
Colby enjoys the meaningful relationships
his work has enabled him to forge as well
as the satisfaction of his clients when he
delivers a video that successfully captures
the stories and emotions that bring their
own companies to life.
Born at Loring Air Force Base in
Northern Maine, Colby spent much of his
childhood living in different places. His
family’s lifestyle exposed him to various
new cultural experiences as well as a few
“once in a lifetime” opportunities. After
his father retired from the Air Force, the
family resettled in Maine to be near other
relatives. As an adult, Colby chose to stay
in Maine because of its
people, its beautiful
scenery and its diverse
recreational opportunities.
His favorite thing
about the LA community
is its tremendous sense
of community. Like the
two bridges that connect
our cities, Colby finds
that a collective sense of
pride and ownership
bring the people of
Lewiston and Auburn
together. As a local business
owner, a strong
community is key in his
efforts to build deep and
meaningful relationships
and to make positive impacts
that go beyond the
clients he serves directly.
In his free time, Colby enjoys writing,
watching movies and composing music.
He loves outdoor activities, and can be
found skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating
in the wintertime or visiting one of
Maine’s many beautiful state parks when
the weather is warm. Some of his local
restaurants of choice include DaVinci’s,
Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli and Jasmine Café.
Colby has always maintained an interest
in culture and the arts and is particularly
passionate about The Public Theatre in
Lewiston, an organization which he feels
brings truly outstanding art to our community.
He proudly serves on the board of
directors for the Theatre and supports its
mission through marketing and aiming to
bridge the gap between young professionals
and professional theater here in LA.
He is also involved with the LA community
through the Young Professionals of
Lewiston Auburn (YPLAA) and the LA
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
In the future, Colby sees himself creating
jobs and job security for the people
of LA, promoting great local businesses
and strengthening our artistic community
through professional and creative video
production.
Genevieve Hering & Colby Michaud
The Michauds: Colby, Debra, Britni & Ray
Dogs: Pippin, Katie, Jack
Colby, with his sister, in front of Air Force 1
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
13

creative genius
Karly Eretzian
Creative Strategist, Rinck Advertising
As Vice President of Creative Services
for Rinck Advertising in Auburn, Karly is
responsible for “all things creative” at the
agency. She collaborates with her amazing
team to conceptualize methods for effectively
communicating brand messages for
their clients. Her work requires exploration
of the optimal ways to engage with a
brand’s audience as well as how to best inspire,
entice and intrigue them. Karly believes
the most important part of her job is
figuring out new ways to make people
think. She is excited to be part of a business
that is “moving, shaking, growing and
making things happen.”
Prior to joining Rinck Advertising in
2003, Karly majored in advertising design
at the Syracuse University College of Visual
and Performing Arts. With access to professors
working full-time in the industry as
owners, creative directors, and the like, she
credits her time at Syracuse with teaching
her how to truly think. She stresses the importance
of not only learning how to design
and create art, but also cultivating a strong
focus on strategy in messaging, communication
effectiveness and audience perceptions.
Karly’s vision is to use her work to
reach people in Maine and beyond.
Among Karly’s favorite aspects of LA
are its strong sense of community and the
opportunity living here affords to strike a
balance between work, family, health and
fun. She is motivated by the respect, loyalty,
compassion, commitment,
and drive of local citizens
and businesses alike.
With its close proximity
to many of Maine’s beautiful
mountains and
beaches, and to the City
of Portland, living in LA
provides Karly with access
to all the things she
loves. One of her favorite
LA restaurants is Fish
Bones, where she wrote
her vows and did the majority
of her wedding
planning. Other top spots
include local familyfriendly
restaurants like
Pat’s Pizza, Gipper’s
Sports Grill and Mac’s
Grill, who always welcome
her, her husband
and their boisterous two-year-old daughter
with a smile.
Though most of her free time nowadays
is spent running around after her
daughter, Stella, Karly loves to go skiing
whenever she can. She participated in a
weekly ski racing league at Lost Valley this
season and hopes to return to the mountains
next winter. In the summertime, Karly
and her family enjoy camping, canoeing,
hiking, and simply hanging out by the
water. Local causes she is passionate about
include the Maine Cancer Foundation and
the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer
Hope and Healing, Museum LA, The Public
Theatre, Auburn Firefighters Local 797 and
the Androscoggin Humane Society. She has
served on the boards of directors for various
LA nonprofits and played a role in the
creation of Young Professionals of Lewiston
Auburn (YPLAA).
In the future, Karly plans to continue
living and working here in LA and hopes to
make a greater impact on the community.
Her main career goal is to “put LA on the
map” by showing the world that it is a creative
place filled with energy and talent.
Creative Team at Rinck
Karly, with her family: Hubby, Calvin Hunter;
daughter, Stella; and dog, Angus
Stella & Karly painting the town blue
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
15

16 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

creative genius
Melanie Therrien
Owner, Wicked Illustrations
As owner and operator of Wicked Illustrations
Studio & Gallery in Lewiston,
Melanie consistently finds herself doing
something different. She creates lesson plans
for art classes and paintings for art parties,
works on commissions and illustrations for
clients, represents various featured artists in
her gallery and plans events like local art
and sewing camps. In her managerial role,
she maintains an inventory of art supplies
and works on marketing, advertising and accounting
for the business. Apart from getting
to do what she loves each day, Melanie’s favorite
thing about her career is the opportunity
it provides to share her passion for art
with others and to use that passion to make
a positive impact on the LA community.
Melanie’s career in the arts began when
she acquired an interest in creating murals at
the age of fifteen. Wicked Illustrations was
born in 2007 when she began illustrating the
award-winning children’s book series
known as “ElsBeth Adventures,” and grew
into the studio and art gallery it is today beginning
in 2010. Melanie continues to illustrate
for the “ElsBeth” series, among others,
and takes commissions for her
murals and other projects.
To date, her portfolio
boasts over one hundred
paintings. Some of her
main influences are Frida
Kahlo and Dahlov Ipcar,
as well as the Surrealist
and Art Nouveau Movements.
First LA Art Walk in Wicked's new location on
Canal St. in Lewiston
Born and raised in
Lewiston, the history and
sense of community in LA
are among the top reasons
Melanie and her husband
decided to build a life
here. She loves her neighbors,
and presently resides
in the very same
neighborhood where she and her husband
grew up. Some of her favorite local places to
eat include Mac’s Grill, Fish Bones, Simones’
Hot Dog Stand, and Orchid. In her free time,
Melanie enjoys painting and reading for fun,
hanging out with her husband, family and
friends, and snuggling with her pets. In the
summertime, she loves sitting
by the fire outdoors and
playing in her garden.
Melanie is passionate about
using her interest in the arts
to help local causes, donating
paintings, gift certificates,
time and money
whenever she can. She is
also involved with LA
Arts, an organization
dedicated to “engaging
and inspiring a vibrant community through
arts and culture,” as well as the Union of
Maine Visual Artists.
Melanie is very happy and appreciative
to be where she is today. Looking ahead, she
plans to continue serving her community
through her love of art and helping to make
a difference for years to come.
Glenn & Melanie, on their wedding day,
May 19, 2002
“Last Supper” – our last day at Captive Elements Art House
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
17

creative genius
Vincent Ratsovong
Artistic Director, Community Little Theatre
As artistic director for Community
Little Theatre in Auburn, Vincent works
closely with other theater leaders to create
a “main stage season” with three musicals
and two plays, as well as
fundraising events and a one-act play festival
submission. Once the upcoming season
has been established, he plays a
supportive role to
his fellow directors in their
production efforts. He acts
as a sounding board, resource,
and liaison. Being
part of the artistic team involves
working with the
Director’s Apprentice Program,
a training opportunity
for local citizens who
are interested in theater
leadership roles. Vincent
also directs the Summer
Youth Theatre Project and
Teen Musical Theater
Showcase, serving young
artists throughout the State
of Maine. Some of the high
points of his career have
been performing for famous
composer, Alan
Menken, performing at the
Kennedy Center, and winning
first place at the
Boston NATS Song Festival.
He is also proud to be
a two-time Irene Ryan
nominee and semi-finalist.
Vincent began his artistic
journey as a ballet dancer,
spending a few years with
The Maine State Ballet as
well as the Portland Ballet.
After graduating from the
University of the Arts in Philadelphia as
a dance major, he went on to dance with
The Philadelphia Ballet. When it came
time to launch his career in musical theater,
it made sense for him to return to
Community Little Theatre and give back
to the place that ignited his passion as a
child. He loves the sense of community in
LA, and feels humbled watching local citizens
from all walks of life work together
to create art they can be proud of. Much
like our community itself, the success of
the Theatre is driven by the investments
of each of its members.
A traveler in his free time, Vincent
feels that so much of his work is based on
studying people and their behaviors.
Exploring different places around the
world enables him to do just that. Locally,
he may be found enjoying a meal at his
favorite LA eateries including Fuel, Fish
Bones, Sea40 and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli.
Beyond his work with the Theatre, Vincent
gives back to LA by volunteering as
much of his time as possible with local
organizations. He views any time devoted
to community outreach and volunteerism
as time well spent. Some of the causes he
is most passionate about include the Make
a Wish Foundation, the Children’s Miracle
Network and the AIDS Foundation.
Looking to the future, Vincent hopes
to be directing a major equity company
and ensuring that the local artistic community
continues to flourish for future
generations.
Professional Actor's Headshot
Vincent with Derrick Lacasse at Epcot Disney
Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown for The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
18 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

CHANGE
LEADERS
by Shanna Cox
shanna@gotippingpoint.com
Shanna Cox is the founder of Project
Tipping Point, whose mission is to create,
connect and engage a robust community
network for positive change within Lewiston
Auburn. She chose to buy a house, live in
and raise her three boys in Lewiston, because
she believes in the possibilities of our communities'
future.
W
e don’t need cheer
leaders, we need change
leaders. Lewiston Auburn
is on the edge of something great. After
years of decline from its manufacturing
heyday, one can see the bright spots
breaking through. It can be seen in the
new shops and restaurants, the self-organization
of entrepreneurs and artisans
to promote our downtowns, the
return of the real estate market, and the
young leaders stepping up to helm organizations
and businesses.
This change is being ushered in by a
new group of leaders. These young
professionals simultaneously embrace
the rich heritage and history of their
communities, and rebel against the
often touted reasoning of “because that
is the way we always have done it”.
While these leaders might be some of
the people cheering mostly loudly for
Lewiston and Auburn’s renaissance,
they aren’t the cheerleaders. They
know that standing on the sidelines
and talking about the future and touting
our growth metrics isn’t enough.
These people are change leaders, they
know that to really grab ahold of a
bright future, we must act.
For every one
of our leaders
getting recognized,
there are
another two
working silently,
all of whom are
pushing Lewiston
Auburn
towards a new
future. And they
all have something
in common
they challenge
the status quo.
Instinctively,
they know something about our current
state is a barrier to the future. They can
see and feel where change in our communities
is occurring faster than the
structures, policies and governance
will support. They know things aren’t
working the way they are, and without
pause, they take action.
They are stepping into their leadership
potential.
Each of these leaders have different
approaches. When you talk to them,
they might focus on different aspects of
our future. Some will speak of the importance
of education, while others
will talk of the need to increase the
number of employers and jobs. Some
will talk about the need to change our
physical environment- improving
cityscapes and welcoming new demographics
who live, work and play
downtown. Still others will talk about
the need to expand transportation offerings
and connect to other employment
centers, capturing the opportunity of
Portland’s fast growth rate and restricted
real estate market.
All of these approaches challenge the
status quo, require change, and embrace
new ways of thinking about old
problems. While some of these methods
compete with each other, we know
that competition spurs innovation. Innovation
is needed to overcome our
collective community challenges.
Within our differences, there is a commonality.
Each leader is working towards
a universal vision with a
singular belief- Lewiston and Auburn’s
promising future is within our reach.
We need these change leaders to forge
ahead on their march to a brighter future.
More importantly, they need us to
get off the sidelines, and join them in
the pursuit. Lewiston Auburn needs
change leaders, not cheer leaders.
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
19

Proud to be part of the
Lewiston Auburn
Community!

economic development
Emmie Jones
Owner, Emmie Jones Photography
Emmie Jones’ professional journey
did not begin with photography. As a
first semester nursing student, she
quickly realized that her true passion was
to someday own her own business. A native
of Greene, Emmie decided to move
out of state after she finished her schooling.
It didn’t take long for Emmie to
grow homesick, as she missed her family
and friends and decided the LA community
was the only place where she could
imagine raising a family of her own.
Shortly after her children were born,
Emmie found herself spending more and
more time behind the camera. In 2010,
she opened her first photography studio
in Lewiston, Maine.
Running her own photography studio
requires Emmie to be versatile and to possess
a varied set of skills. Like many sole
proprietors, Emmie is not only a photographer
but is also charged with marketing,
community outreach and public
relations, bookkeeping and administrative
work, as well as staying up-to-date
with the wonderful and constantly evolving
world of digital photography.
Outside the studio, Emmie spends a
large portion of her “free time” with her
family. Emmie and her husband, Shawn,
can often be found with their children
enjoying many of the
numerous free community
activities and festivals
that LA has to offer.
Emmie and her family
love that every season
in LA offers new things
to do both indoors and
outdoors. They enjoy
skiing in the winter and
hiking, biking and
swimming in the summer.
Some of Emmie’s
favorite local places to
eat include Forage Market,
Fuel, Rails, and
Margaritas, her “ultimate
guilty pleasure.”
Emmie’s passion
for photography introduced
her to the idea of giving back to her
community by supporting homeless and
at-risk students in their efforts to stay in
school. Through the Lewiston STEP Program,
Emmie takes senior pictures for
students who are on track to graduate but
cannot afford professional photos on their
own. She is also involved with a national
nonprofit called “Now I lay Me Down to
Sleep,” taking bereavement photographs
for families facing the loss of an infant
child. Emmie feels it is important for her
to give back to those in her community
and beyond to give thanks for the
blessings in her life.
In the future, Emmie hopes to still be
doing photography and aspires to launch
her own photo project designed to boost
self-esteem in children. Emmie would
like to see continued efforts to improve
the image of our community and plans to
pitch in however she can. She supports
LA by not only running a thriving local
business, but also by investing in its future
helping local high school seniors
succeed.
Emmie’s children, Mason & Kendra
Shawn & Emmie Jones in Aruba
On a family vacation in Aruba
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
21

economic development
Jenny Ziebart
Director of Marketing & Communications,
LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Jenny Ziebart, a familiar
and friendly face to
many in the LA community,
began her career at
the LA Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce as
an intern in 2003. She was
just half a dozen credits
away from earning her
degree in Public Administration
when she was offered
a full-time, paid
position with the chamber.
For Jenny, there was
no question that she had
found the right fit.
Today, as Director of Marketing
and Communications,
Jenny generates
press releases, plans and
executes social media
strategies, manages advertising
and email marketing,
and more, all in
the interest of promoting
the chamber and connecting
its members to the
valuable resources and
opportunities they need.
She also assists local efforts
to coordinate job
fairs and facilitate scholarships
for high school students
and adults alike.
Jenny attributes much of
her success with the chamber to her coworkers
and peers, whom she admires for their
motivation and strong work ethic.
Jenny’s efforts to improve the LA community
are heavily supported by its citizens,
whom she refers to as “wonderful
people devoted to making the LA Metro
area a great place.” Her own devotion to
LA extends beyond office hours, as Jenny
and her family patronize the many local
restaurants and businesses that are members
of the chamber. When she isn’t
working, Jenny loves spending time outdoors.
Some of her favorite outdoor activities
include hiking, swimming, skiing and
snowshoeing. As a parent, her primary personal
goal is “to raise two well-adjusted future
adults.” She particularly enjoys
volunteering at her daughter’s school whenever
she can.
Jenny’s daughter has Alopecia, an autoimmune
disorder that leads to extensive hair
loss. Accordingly, Jenny finds herself most
passionate about a nonprofit organization
known as the Children’s Alopecia Project,
which she says has been a huge help to her
family. With no cure for Alopecia to date, the
organization focuses on supporting children
and their families with building confidence.
For Jenny and her family, the Children’s
Alopecia Project has been “a lifesaver.”
Our community has Jenny to thank for
the well-known local institution known as
“Young Professionals of the Lewiston
Auburn Area,” better known as “YPLAA.”
As its founder and first member, Jenny laid
the groundwork for an organization dedicated
to supporting LA’s young professionals.
Today, YPLAA is responsible for
numerous networking events, education opportunities,
and activities designed to better
connect our young professionals to their
community. Jenny’s efforts through YPLAA
are an invaluable asset to our economic development,
particularly at a time when the
LA area is striving to attract and retain young
professionals.
Looking to the future, Jenny sees herself continuing
her efforts to improve upon the greatness
of the LA area. As many members of our
community are aware, local citizens and business
owners alike are working to improve
upon the perception of Lewiston Auburn.
Jenny believes the first step is to change our
negative perceptions from within and show
the world outside LA what a wonderful place
it is to live, work and play.
Nick, Mya, Jenny & Conner Ziebart
at “Alopeciapalooza” an annual event put
on by the Children’s Alopecia Project,
in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.
22 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
Alison Robenstine (sister), Jenny & Nick Ziebart, Vicky & Kevin
Moulton (parents)
Mya & Griffin Ziebart at the lake

CONGRATULATIONS
to our own
Jenny
Ziebart
One of LA’s
40
UNDER
40!

LEWISTON CONGRATULATES
Two of Our Emerging Leaders
Misty Parker
Economic Development
Joe Philippon
Local Hero
For Being Recognized as one of the 40 Under 40
&
For Being a Positive Force in LA
The Next Generation is Coming On!

economic development
Misty Parker
Economic Development Specialist, City of Lewiston
As the Economic Development Specialist
for the City of Lewiston, Misty
works to attract new businesses to the LA
area and to assist existing businesses with
their efforts to grow and improve. She
helps local developers and businesses to
bring their projects to fruition, often employing
her problem solving skills to navigate
through the regulatory and
permitting processes. Her particular areas
of focus presently include the revitalization
of downtown Lewiston, development
of the riverfront island area and general
workforce development in LA.
Misty recognized from a young age
that she had a passion for helping to build
and sustain strong communities. Over
time she learned she could do so in many
ways, whether by strengthening a community’s
tax base, assisting local start-up
businesses and entrepreneurs, or simply
by helping those who want to contribute
find their voices. She attributes her success
in these efforts in part to her graduate
work, which focused on community development,
civic engagement and land use
planning. Misty was drawn to the LA community
in particular because of its potential
for growth and the desire of its people
to realize that potential. She felt that LA
was “a community that wanted to grow
and a place that would value her skill set,”
and happily acknowledges that she made
the right choice.
Misty believes that
the greatest thing about
LA is its people. “Our
tight-knit community
makes LA a place where
people can live, work,
and achieve their goals
with the support of their
fellow citizens.” Having
previously spent some
time working in Midcoast
Maine, Misty appreciates
that this type of
community support for
the individual is unique.
As she puts it, “It doesn’t
matter the cause, if you
need help, this community
has your back.”
Apart from the people, Misty is passionate
about supporting the numerous local
restaurants that LA has to offer, with some
of her favorites including Marche, Orchid,
and Rails in Lewiston and 84 Court and
Gritty’s in Auburn. When she isn’t out and
about in LA enjoying the local cuisine,
Misty can be found at home working in
the garden or tending to one of many
farming projects with her husband. She
is passionate about food security and
the restoration of local fisheries, and
feels that any healthy community
needs access to healthy food and
ecosystems.
Looking forward, Misty envisions
herself continuing her work
with the City of Lewiston.
To Misty, the primary obstacle to future
progress and prosperity in LA is a lack
of consensus as to how we might achieve
these goals. Through open dialogue and
collaboration, Misty believes we can work
together to build a strong economy and
make LA a desirable place for all to thrive.
Their wedding day
In Quebec
Molnlycke Groundbreaking Ceremony
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
25

Sheri with her husband, Stanley Hollenbeck
economic development
Sheri Withers
Owner, Downtown Homemade & Vintage
Sheri and her family returned to LA
after being away for a number of years.
She presently resides on Lisbon Street in
Lewiston, which is also the newest location
of her business, Downtown Homemade
& Vintage. Sheri describes her
work as “creating concepts for tee shirts
for a city that she loves.”
She considers herself
lucky to be able to create,
sew and draw for
her business while also
spending time at home
with her children. In addition
to her design
work, Sheri spends her
time planning social
events around town that
allow LA citizens to
practice arts and crafts
and display their work
in local venues.
On “Shop Local Saturday”
in 2012, Sheri
and a friend hosted an
indie craft fair at Callahan
Hall in the Lewiston
Public Library. The
enthusiasm and positive
feedback she received
from the event soon motivated
her to open
Downtown Homemade
& Vintage. DH&V
started as a place for
local artists to sell and
promote their work.
The following year,
Sheri launched her first
line of “I Love Lewiston”
screen printed tee shirts, with the
initial concept designed to support the
victims of the Bartlett Street fires. Sheri
contributed a portion of her tee shirt sales
to the YWCA. Following that project,
Sheri began creating numerous new designs
for wholesale to local businesses.
Presently, DH&V boasts seven different
tee shirt lines and is developing a concept
for children’s shirts. Last fall, Sheri
founded “The Hive-Artisan Collective.”
She describes The Hive as “a safe space
[for area artists] to create and promote
their art in a positive environment.”
Sheri’s favorite thing about LA is its
strong sense of community. She is inspired
by the citizens of LA and their investment
in the economic and social
growth of the area. Being part of a community
where the people are passionate
about local creations is key to Sheri’s success.
When she is not at work, Sheri can
be found enjoying the perks of living in
downtown Lewiston. She and her family
and friends often engage in “drink and
appetizer hops,” traveling from one local
restaurant to another to sample all the
different types of food and drink. Other
times, they will get takeout and head to
the tap room at Baxter Brewing Company
where Sheri’s husband works.
To give back to her community, Sheri
participates in the Union of Maine Visual
Artists, LA Chapter. The organization,
much like Sheri herself, works to create
opportunities for the promotion of local
art. She is currently working with members
of Lewiston’s City Council to establish
the first “creative crosswalk,” a
project which she hopes will ensure public
safety and boost our local economy.
Sheri hopes her efforts to support the arts
in LA will entice more of our youth to
stay in the area when it comes time to
start their own careers.
Sheri with her mom, Bonita Kenny
With their children, Issaic & Azilee
26 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

education
Deanna Etienne
As a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for
Walton Elementary School in Auburn,
Deanna is dedicated to making a difference
in the lives of her students. Learning
through play, her classroom is a place for
young children to grow academically,
socially and emotionally.
She originally came to
Lewiston in 2007 to
teach at Farwell Elementary
School and has been
living in LA ever since.
Pre-K Teacher, Walton Elementary School, Auburn
Deanna always
wanted to be a teacher.
She focused her studies
on Early Childhood Education
while in college
and took a job at a private
preschool after
graduation. Some of
Deanna’s favorite aspects
of teaching include
playing an instrumental
role in the growth and
development of her students
and working with
the diverse families in
LA who have helped
her improve both as
an educator and as an
individual. In addition
to the students
and their families,
Deanna feels fortunate
to be surrounded
by a group
of talented, dedicated,
and loving
colleagues. She is
honored to be part of
the work all the wonderful teachers of
LA do each day to make a positive difference
in the lives of their students.
Living in LA allows Deanna to
be close to all the people and things
that she loves. She is never too far
away from her family in Scarborough,
or the numerous beaches and
snowy mountains of Maine. One of her favorite
things about the area is that it provides
a “big city” atmosphere with a
tight-knit community feel. Some of her
preferred places to eat in LA include
Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli and Jasmine Café.
She loves to stay active and spends much
of her free time working out at WolfPack
Fitness in Auburn. At home, Deanna enjoys
quality time playing and laughing
with her husband and their son. When the
weather allows, she likes to spend time
near the ocean or going for long walks on
Spring Road in Auburn.
Looking to the future, Deanna
envisions herself continuing her career in
early childhood education. She plans to
use her passion in the classroom to make
the most positive impact she can on the
LA community.
Deanna and her husband
Deanna’s Classroom
Deanna’s baby boy
28 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

education
Alexandra Hood
Olin Arts Center Operations Supervisor, Bates College
While working toward her undergraduate
degree, Alexandra knew that she
wanted to be part of the fields of art and
higher education. When she was offered a
job as operations supervisor for the Olin
Arts Center at Bates College, she saw it as
the perfect opportunity to be involved
with an esteemed liberal arts college, surround
herself with creative students, and
take a leadership role in the arts. She manages
staff, security and communications
for the Center and plays a key role in the
development and support of Center programs
and procedures in collaboration
with the Departments of Art and Visual
Culture and Music, as well as the Bates
College Museum. Alexandra loves to see
passionate students working to further
their own art careers each and every day.
A Lewiston native, Alexandra returned
to LA after attending college in
New York. She wanted to give back to her
home community by helping it grow and
encouraging its youth to do the same. Her
favorite thing about the LA community is
the strength, perseverance and diversity of
its people. She feels honored to be part of
a group of strong individuals who work
hard to make LA a better place, and to witness
the growth that results from their efforts.
In particular, Alexandra is passionate
about developing the LA art scene, which
she says has “a passionate spark that you
can’t find just anywhere.” She utilizes her
interests to give back to
her community by assisting
the Gypsy Lew Theater
with graphic design
projects, supporting the
Union of Maine Visual
Artists, Lewiston Auburn
Chapter, displaying art
and acting as a live artist
for LA Art Walks in the
summer, and offering
private art lessons to local
adults of all ages.
Alexandra is a big
fan of Mother India,
where the food is delicious,
the service is beyond
exceptional and
the proprietor is a local
family that is passionate
about both the food and the customers.
Other local favorites include Forage Market,
Marché and Wei-Li. She spends most
of her free time creating new works of art,
with a focus on realistic oil paintings and
graphite portraits, as well as exploring the
subjects of lust, human connection, emotional
transparency, and expressions of
power and love.
In the next ten years, Alexandra hopes
to be teaching art professionally, either by
expanding her private lesson offerings or
as a professor in higher education. She believes
that one of the biggest
challenges facing LA today is
the need to attract more ambitious
youth to the community and plans to
help meet the challenge by increasing the
availability of traditional art education for
young adults in the area.
Olin Arts Center
An original painting by Alex titled
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
Alex in her senior undergraduate studio
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
29

education
Derrick Lacasse
Music & Chorus Teacher, St. Dominic Academy
Derrick’s favorite thing about his
work is watching his students experience
what he calls “aha” moments, where all
the hard work they’ve dedicated to learning
to play a new instrument, or to sing a
difficult song, comes to fruition. As the
music and chorus teacher for St. Dominic
Academy, the never ending opportunities
to share in the excitement of these accomplishments
are Derrick’s primary source
of motivation. He is also presently serving
as co-moderator to the school’s Drama
Club and will be directing its production
of James and the Giant Peach this spring.
Derrick grew up in LA and attended
Edward Little High School in Auburn. He
headed to New York for college, obtaining
his degree in Music Education at SUNY
Potsdam. When he graduated, Derrick returned
to LA to be near his family and
start his career. When not at work, he may
be found delighting in his favorite sushi
roll at Bua Thai in Lewiston. In the summertime,
he loves to get outdoors and explore
local areas like Thorncraig Bird
Sanctuary, and is also a fan of playing tennis.
Skiing is one of his favorite activities
during the winter months. Naturally, his
hobbies also include singing and playing
the piano.
Beyond his career at
St. Dom’s, Derrick utilizes
his talents to give back to
the LA community. He
works with Community
Little Theater, a volunteer
organization and one of
the oldest continuous
community theaters in
the State of Maine. The
mission of Community
Little Theater is to provide
education and exposure
to the art of live
entertainment by putting
on both musicals and
non-musical productions.
As a CLT volunteer,
Derrick participates in
various shows and often
acts as musical director when needed. He
started working with CLT when he was in
high school and hopes to expand his involvement
in the future. He also volunteers
with local summer youth theater
camps with fellow 40 Under 40 winner,
Vincent Ratsavong. For Derrick, witnessing
the growth of these summer programs
over the last few years has been “an
amazing experience.” He is also a private
voice coach for local students from
many different schools in the LA area and
loves to see his students sharing new musical
talents with their peers and motivating
them to excel.
Next year, Derrick is headed to Cambridge,
Massachusetts, to obtain his master’s
degree in Music Therapy at Lesley
University. Once he earns his master’s, he
plans to begin a career as a music therapist.
He’s not sure where he ultimately
will land, but he is excited for the journey.
With his mom, Robin Robbins
On the CLT stage in Little Shop of Horrors
Derrick with Vincent Ratsavong
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
31

education
Jen Hogan
President & CEO, Community Credit Union
Jen began her career at Community
Credit Union as the director of marketing
and business development. Finding the
culture, people, ethics and energy of CCU
to be contagious, she soon realized her
passion for working in the world of local
banking. She began actively exposing herself
to other departments and was promoted
to Executive Vice President in May
of 2012. As the newly appointed President
and CEO of CCU, Jen is responsible for
directing overall operations, ensuring financial
stability, establishing short and
long-term objectives, plans and policies
and representing CCU in its relationships
with members, government agencies, and
the local community. Jen’s favorite thing
about her work is the opportunity it affords
to interact with the people of LA on
a regular basis. She is proud to be part of
a local institution that not only deals in
money but is actively involved in community
projects that truly make a difference.
Growing up, Jen lived in several different
states along the East Coast, moving
with her family every two or three years
each time her father was transferred to a
new station by the Navy. Ultimately settling
in Lisbon Falls, she attended college
in Bangor and moved back to LA after
graduation. Today, Jen and her husband
share a home in Turner and spend their
free time having fun in the LA area.
She devotes as much
time as possible to her
husband and daughter,
often engaging in activities
like mini golf, going
to the movies and enjoying
local cuisine. Some of
her favorite places to eat
in LA include DaVinci’s,
Buffalo Wild Wings,
Chick-a-Dee of Lewiston
and Wei Li.
What Jen loves most
about our community is
the plethora of opportunities
it offers. She has
seen incredible growth in
LA over the last fifteen
years and believes that our very best days
lie ahead. With a passion for volunteering,
some of the most important causes to Jen
involve education. She serves as co-chair
of the LA Metro Chamber Education and
Workforce Development Committee and
teaches classes for Junior Achievement of
Maine as well as literary courses through
CMCC. Whenever possible, she includes
her daughter in her volunteer work in an
effort to teach her valuable life lessons
about helping those in need and giving
back to her community. Jen is also a passionate
supporter of the LA Chamber, Androscoggin
United Way and the Greater
Androscoggin Humane Society.
Ten years from now, Jen hopes to be
exactly where she is today—living in a
community that she believes in, working
for an organization she loves and giving
back to those who have given so much to
her.
Chase with her furbuddies, Raistlin & Oreo
The Hogan’s: Nick, Chase & Jen
L to R: Jen, April Savio, Michelle Simard
& Kelly Sutton. Photo bombing is
Nick Hogan & Steve Sutton
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
33

emerging leader
Aimee Labbe
Manager of Special Events & Development for the Patrick
Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing
Aimee & Chris with their furbabies, Molly & Jack
Aimee’s career in
fundraising for nonprofits
began by accident.
Needing part-time work
to support herself in college,
Aimee took a job
with the Student Union,
a meeting and event
venue for student groups
on campus. After participating
in planning for
several student events
and activities through the
Student Union, she spent
nearly four years working
for Bates College in
the Alumni and Parent
Programs Department.
Through her experience
in college and working at
Bates, Aimee built a solid
foundation in the areas of
fundraising and event
planning. Today, she is
the Manager of Special
Events and Development
for the Patrick Dempsey
Center for Cancer Hope
and Healing.
Born and raised in
Lewiston, like many of
her peers Aimee wanted
to go away for college
and make a life for herself
in one of the “big cities.” Attending college
in downtown Boston, it didn’t take
long for her to grow homesick. She missed
the strong sense of self and the feeling of
belonging that she so enjoyed in LA. Once
she graduated from college, Aimee returned
home and has remained in the
area ever since. When she isn’t working,
she frequents many of LA’s popular
food establishments like Marche, Fuel,
DaVinci’s, and more. She loves the outdoors,
whether she is snowshoeing in
the winter or hiking and kayaking in
the summer.
Aimee and her husband share a passion for
good food and drink and spend much of
their free time exploring local breweries and
restaurants. At home, Aimee’s hobbies include
spending time with her two dogs,
Molly and Jack, as well as cooking, writing
and binge-watching her favorite TV shows.
What Aimee likes most about LA is its
history. She loves to connect with family
and friends by sharing stories of the local
people and places from her childhood. Like
many others, Aimee is excited by all the
positive energy around her and loves to see
the progress it brings to our community.
She is an ardent supporter of the Greater
Androscoggin Humane Society and is also
involved with the Hope Haven Gospel Mission
and Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.
Aimee believes that with good fortune
comes a responsibility to help those in need.
In the future, Aimee envisions herself
raising a family in LA while continuing the
work she is most passionate about. She
finds her work with the Dempsey Center to
be extremely rewarding and is motivated
by being part of a collaborative effort to improve
the lives of people in the LA area who
have been affected by cancer. Aimee believes
that the positive energy and hard
work of our citizens will continue to bring
progress and success to the LA community.
Aerial view of the Dempsey Challenge
On their wedding day
34 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

emerging leaders
Ben Chin
Political Engagement Director, Maine People’s Alliance
When Ben came to LA to attend
college at Bates, he planned to complete
his studies and move on to a seminary to
become a pastor. Plans changed when a
construction project known as the “Heritage
Initiative” threatened to displace
hundreds of families in the LA area.
Ben joined the efforts of
The Visible Community
to stop the project and
quickly discovered his
passion for community
organizing. As Political
Engagement Director for
Maine People’s Alliance,
Ben presently leads a
team of community organizers
and volunteers
to raise Maine’s minimum
wage and to fully
fund public education in
our state from Pre-K
through Grade 12.
A love of community
organizing work was not
all Ben discovered while
in college. He also
learned the joys of living
in a “real community”
like Lewiston, where
neighbors know one another
and you can never
go too long without running
into a familiar face
around town. While the
world around us is continuously
dividing along lines of race,
class, religion, and the like, Ben appreciates
that LA is a diverse but tight-knit
community where working class families
can successfully coexist.
Some of his favorite places to grab
a bite in LA include Guthrie’s or
Gridiron for a quick stop or to
wind down from the week, and
Mother India, Marche or Fuel
for date nights with his
wife, Nicola. He spends much of his free
time running and biking and is currently
training to participate in the Ironman
Triathlon later this year. He also takes part
in swimming workouts hosted by fellow
Bates grad, Vanessa Williamson, whose
weekly classes he characterizes as “one of
the secret gems of LA.” Most importantly,
Ben devotes as much time as possible to
his wife and their adorable baby girl, Anjali.
Beyond his work with Maine People’s
Alliance, Ben gives back to his community
by serving on the boards of directors for
Trinity Church and the Jubilee Center, as
well as running for office in an effort to
craft a vision for LA based on the aspirations
of his neighbors. No matter what he
is doing for his community, Ben’s goal is
always the same: “to create a world where
everyone has what they need, contributes
what they can, and no one gets left out.”
Through the Jubilee Center, he works to
prevent hunger and homelessness and to
help recent immigrants integrate into the
LA community. With Maine People’s Alliance,
he works against the root causes of
issues facing local people in need. When
the work gets tough, and it often does, Ben
finds his faith restored each Sunday at
Trinity Church.
Ben plans to continue his life in
LA with his wife and daughter, where
he can do the work he believes in for a
community that he loves.
Nicola & Ben Chin
Ben’s campaign launch
Nicola, Ben and baby, Anjali
36 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

Emily, volunteer firefighter
emerging leader
Emily Butterfield
Student Navigator at Central Maine Community College
Emily joined the LA community as a
freshman living on campus at Central
Maine Community College in 2008.
Through her studies and extracurricular
activities Emily became a strong leader, a
key trait for her present occupation as Student
Navigator for the “Maine is IT!”
grant at CMCC. As Student Navigator,
Emily focuses on recruitment and success
by assisting with college and
career fairs, providing
academic support, and
helping students plan
their futures beyond the
classroom.
Apart from her career
at CMCC, Emily is a
proud volunteer firefighter
for the Town of
Turner, Maine. She attributes
her interest in
volunteer firefighting to
the large number of firefighters
in her family.
For Emily, fire service is
about honor, integrity,
family, duty, courage,
leadership, and strength.
She hopes to continue
volunteering and finding
more ways to serve
and support her community
in the future.
Currently, Emily gives
back to her community
by supporting local charity
events like “Stuff the
Bus” and the “Rancourt
5k Run,” teaching fire
prevention and awareness
in our schools, and
volunteering at her
church, Pathway Vineyard in Lewiston,
among others. One day, you may even
find Emily representing the City of
Auburn in the world of local politics.
Emily presently resides in Auburn
with her fiancé, Lance Robinson. The two
thoroughly enjoy outdoor activities, particularly
on the Androscoggin River,
which Emily affectionately calls “Androscoggin’s
hidden secret.” She loves
swimming, kayaking and boating on the
River and hopes someday to see new activities
like white water rafting, as well as
shops, introduced to the area. When she
isn’t being active with her fiancé outdoors
or in the gym, Emily loves spending time
with her family and with her dogs. For
fun, she likes to visit some of her favorite
LA restaurants, which include Firehouse
Grille, Mac’s Grill, DaVinci’s, and Jasmine
Café. In the wintertime, she can be found
snowboarding at Lost Valley, snowshoeing,
snowmobiling or ice fishing.
A lifelong learner, Emily is currently
pursuing her Master’s Degree in Leadership
at the University of Southern Maine
LA, an accolade that she hopes will prepare
her to take on new and challenging
leadership roles in the future. In ten years,
Emily sees herself married and raising a
family here in LA with Lance, advancing
her career at CMCC, and maintaining her
passion for physical activity by participating
in local sports and recreational programs.
She plans to continue serving as a
volunteer firefighter and aims to complete
her Firefighter I & II Certifications. Emily
wants to help improve the LA community’s
image by fostering support for our
local police and fire departments in their
efforts to improve safety and quality of life
and increasing the presence of local businesses
to provide more jobs and combat
poverty in Lewiston and Auburn.
Emily with her fiancé, Lance Robinson
Emily at work, pictured with current students:
Wally Morris (brother) & Anna Quinlan
Photo: LAD Photography
38 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

emerging leaders
Melissa Simones
Policy Director for Senate President, Michael Thibodeau
Melissa has worked in federal and
state government offices for most of her career.
She began her journey handling administrative
and legislative work for
Senator Susan Collins in
Washington, DC. After
several years on Capitol
Hill, she returned to
Maine to work for an
Augusta law firm as its
government relations liaison.
Just one year later,
she was asked to join the
staff of then newly
elected Senate President
Michael Thibodeau. As
Policy Director for Senator
Thibodeau, Melissa
provides legislative research
on bills, attends
various meetings, public
hearings and work sessions,
answers committee
questions about
legislation, and monitors
the budgeting process.
She loves her work for its
challenging, fast-paced,
social and demanding
nature.
A native of Lewiston,
there was never a question
for Melissa that she
would return to LA after
college. She loves the
people here, which include
her family and
many friends, as well as
all the activities available. Some of her favorite
things to do in LA include participating
in trivia nights at Pedro O’Hara’s,
attending art walks in the summer, enjoying
the numerous walking trails in the area
and attending events at Bates College. She
is also a fan of golfing and kayaking when
the weather is nice.
When it comes to local cuisine,
Melissa loves the food and the atmosphere
at Fuel, where she can often be found enjoying
conversations with the “regulars”
on Friday nights. Rails, Mother India, Orchid,
and Sea 40 are among other favorites.
Last but certainly not least, some of
Melissa’s favorite food adventures involve
“socializing over a chili dog” at her family’s
restaurant, Simones’ Hot Dog Stand
in Lewiston.
Outside her work in Senator Thibodeau’s
office, Melissa is passionate
about her home parish, Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church, presently serving on the
Parish Council and the Ladies Society.
Through these groups, Melissa and fellow
members work to develop ways to support
the Church, which includes assisting with
various spiritual needs and organizing
fundraisers. She also enjoys participating
in functions that benefit LA whenever she
can.
Looking to the future, Melissa sees
herself working on economic development
projects for the LA area. She believes that
the number one challenge facing LA today
is its stigma and the negative impact it has
on our community. According to Melissa,
this challenge can be overcome by continuing
to promote the positive and showcasing
our local assets, working on the areas
where we struggle, and speaking up when
others speak negatively about LA. With
this type of devotion, she says, “our best
days are ahead.”
Melissa with her niece
Melissa at the Courthouse
Trivia Finale
40 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

entrepreneur
Abdikadir Negeye
Co-founder, Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services
Abdikadir always knew he wanted to
be a teacher, a social worker, and a leader.
In the past, he served as a local youth soccer
coach, taught English as a second language,
and worked for L.L. Bean as a
learning specialist. He was also employed
with the Lewiston school system as a language
facilitator, all the while working toward
his degree in Social and Behavioral
Science through the University of Southern
Maine, Lewiston-Auburn. In 2008, he
co-founded Maine Immigrant & Refugee
Services (MIRS) and currently serves as its
human resources director. His responsibilities
include regularly interacting with employees,
clients and community members
and attracting and retaining talent for the
organization, as well as doing case management
and closely collaborating with
fellow award winner and executive director,
Rilwan Osman.
Born in Somalia, Abdikadir lived in
two different refugee camps for roughly
fourteen years before he and his family
were relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Like
many others who share a similar history of
immigration, he loves living in LA primarily
because it is a safe community with a
“small town” atmosphere where he feels
comfortable raising a family of his own.
For Abdikadir, living in LA is a privilege
after enduring the difficulty, violence and
hardships of both his home country and
the refugee camps. His
favorite thing about LA
is its sense of community—he
is amazed by
the accessibility of our
teachers, government
leaders, and the like. He
is also a huge fan of the
annual LA festival and
frequently enjoys meals
with his family at local
restaurants like Applebee’s,
Margaritas,
Denny’s and Mother
India. The family consciously
chooses to eat at
places that are known
for supporting LA by
participating in fundraising
for local nonprofits
and schools.
In his free time, Abdikadir enjoys
being with his family, reading, playing
soccer and running. He is passionate about
local organizations that serve immigrants
and refugees, as well as both the elder and
youth populations. He serves on the
boards of directors for some local nonprofits
and lends a hand to his community as
a volunteer whenever he can.
Abdikadir is proud of all he has
accomplished in his career. He feels fortunate
to meet great people through his
work and is motivated by the love and
support he receives from them. One of his
most treasured achievements was witnessing
the Lewiston High School soccer team
win the State Championship, having
coached and mentored nearly half of the
players through a community sports program
sponsored by MIRS. He hopes to
continue his service to our community
through MIRS and his personal efforts and
to maintain a happy and sustainable life in
LA with his family.
The Negeye’s
Abdikadir with his mom
At a recent speaking engagement
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
43

Luke and his boy, Everett
entrepreneur
Luke Livingston
Founder & CEO, Baxter Brewing Company
Luke has maintained a passion for
craft beer and brewing since his twentyfirst
birthday, when he received his first
homebrewing kit as a gift. Shortly after
graduating college, he created a beer blog
and learned about “west coast
styles” of beer and marketing as
well as the then-revolutionary
idea of canning
craft beer. After losing
his mother to breast cancer
in January, 2009,
Luke quit his day job to
write a business plan for
his own canned craft
brewery. As founder and
CEO of Baxter Brewing
Company, he is most
heavily involved in sales
and marketing and is
particularly focused on
building and maintaining
the brewery’s chain
sales channel. His favorite
part of his job is
having the privilege
every day of getting to
make and sell beer for a
living. Also, he says, “it’s
always great to see your
friends at the bar!”
A 2003 graduate of Edward
Little High School
in Auburn, Luke traveled
away for college and ultimately
settled in South
Portland with his wife
and their two-year-old
son, Everett. When it
came to a location for the
brewery, however, he says there was no
other option than LA. Having grown up
locally, most of his business
connections were here and he was excited
at the idea of breathing some life back into
the mills he watched sit vacant for many
years before. There was also a competitive
advantage to doing business in LA, as for
some time Baxter Brewing Company was
the only production brewery in the area.
Luke’s favorite thing about LA is its
small town vibe. He enjoys enormous support
from the LA community and especially
the municipality itself, which he
says has always far exceeded the support
he could get in a larger, more crowded
market. He loves his “mill-mates,”
DaVinci’s and Fish Bones, as well as the
restaurants on Lisbon Street like Forage,
Marché and Orchid. Though most of his
time off work is spent chasing his twoyear-old
around, when he can Luke likes
to play disc sports. He also juggles, is a
huge baseball fan, and spends as much
time as possible outside exploring Maine.
The two causes Luke is most passionate
about relate to animals and the environment.
He gives back to his community
through his involvement with the Androscoggin
Hospice House and the Androscoggin
Humane Society.
In the future, Luke plans to still be living
and working in Maine, making beer
and continuing to learn new things in his
business.
Luke enjoys a Baxter
Baxter on tap
44 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

• Real Estate Loans
• Home Equity Loans
• New/Used Vehicle,
Motorcycle, Boat,
Camper or RV Loans
• Lifestyle Line of Credit
• Personal Loans
• Fuel Loans
• Technology Loans
• Business Loans

entrepreneur
Marlo Hewitt
Founder & Operator, Hair Station
Marlo is a third generation hairstylist,
growing up with a mother and grandmother
who both worked cutting and styling hair in
their home-based salons. As a highly artistic
person, she quickly realized her natural talent
for hairstyling and decided to begin her
journey by pursuing a business degree.
She earned her bachelor’s
degree from the University
of Southern Maine.
During her first semester
as an MBA student, Marlo
decided she could no
longer sit behind a desk
and set out to make her
passion for hairdressing a
reality. Last year, she
opened Hair Station Hair
Salon on Turner Street in
Auburn. She is responsible
for overseeing the
daily operations of the
salon, but her primary
focus is customer satisfaction.
Marlo describes her
work “behind the chair”
as “transforming art onto
living canvases, making
people look and feel their
very best.”
Growing up in Mechanic
Falls, Marlo and
her family frequently
traveled to LA for shopping,
dining, and most
other activities. When it
came time to buy her first
home, she found Auburn
to be the perfect fit
with its close proximity
to her family and
potential to support her new business
venture. She feels she has “the best of both
worlds” living on a dead-end street in
Auburn where she enjoys a private backyard
and is just minutes away
from the city. Her favorite things about LA
are its sense of community and its size. As
she says, “the cities are large enough to serve
you but small enough to know you!” You
may find her at Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli enjoying
a quick meal. For a night out, she frequents
Mac’s Grill, Gritty’s, Orchid, and
more.
Marlo loves spending time with her
family and friends. She’s fond of relaxing
nights at home with her many “fur babies,”
and is just as happy going out on the town
to dance, dine and enjoy life. Beyond her
work at the Salon, she explores her passions
for interior decorating and the arts. As a vegetarian
and an animal lover, Marlo supports
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (SPCA). Another cause close to her
heart is breast cancer awareness, as the disease
took her grandmother a short time ago.
To give back to her community, Marlo works
through her business to raise money to help
LA families in need during the holidays and
is an avid supporter of local animal charities.
Marlo is extremely happy with the life
she’s building for herself and plans to continue
her work in LA. She aspires to eventually
expand her business and hopes one day
to settle down with a family of her own.
Marlo at the Hair Station
Hair Station "pit crew": Brittany, Devin, Jamie, Katy & Marlo
The Hewitt’s: Ken, Alex, Marlo & Terry
46 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

MAINE’S #1 STEAKHOUSE
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No event too BIG or SMALL... We cater it ALL!
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www.MacsGrill.com

COMMUNITY
JUBILEE
by Erin Reed
trinitylewiston@gmail.com
Erin Reed is the Executive Director of the Trinity
Jubilee Center in Lewiston. A center dedicated to
advocacy for those in need in Lewiston Auburn,
serving an average of 1,000 people per week.
E
ach day Lewiston's Trinity Jubilee
Center is packed full of
Androscoggin County residents
seeking help. For 25 years this
community center’s programs have helped
people survive difficult situations and improve
their lives. Today the Center’s operates
five programs. The Meals Program
serves 100 meals each day (about 3,000
meals every month) to people struggling
with mental illness, physical and developmental
disabilities, and homelessness. The
Food Pantry distribute thousands of pounds
of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as diapers,
to more than 300 low-income families
every week. The Day Shelter provides
warmth, bathrooms, and a place to rest for
the homeless. The Resource Center offers a
free medical clinic, phone, fax, and internet
access, a mailing address for those without
a home, clothing and household goods, an
AA meeting, and connections to outreach
workers and resources at partner agencies.
The Refugee Integration Program is the
county’s largest immigrant integration
program, helping
people access employment,
housing, and education. Every
week more than 1,000 people
receive services through the Jubilee
Center.
Daily life at the Center is
a whirlwind. Dozens of neighborhood
volunteers prepare
the day’s lunch, sweep floors,
and wash dishes. Volunteers in
the Center’s Food Rescue Project,
which partners with local
stores and cafeterias to accept
donations of leftover or aboutto-expire
foods, arrive with deliveries.
A daily sign-in sheet
for people requesting help
writing their resume and
searching for job openings
often passes 30 people, each patiently waiting
their turn. At lunchtime the smell of
fresh coffee, savory meat, and spices fills the
air and every seat in the lunchroom is full.
Once a week a doctor donates time to treat
those in need and the office fills with medical
charts and nurses. On Thursdays the
Food Pantry line begins forming at 6:00
AM. Every day the phone is in constant use
as people call to follow up on job applications,
call Togus, and call family members.
Comprehensive support is key to the
Jubilee Center’s anti-poverty work. Almost
all clients participate in multiple programs
and can access support both meeting their
immediate needs and building a stronger future.
Hundreds of people have found jobs,
hundreds of children have been connected
with athletic programs, hundreds of
thousands of pounds of food has been
distributed, and thousands of people know
that the Center’s programs and staff will
be there for them if they are in need.
This year the Trinity Jubilee Center marks
25 years of caring for and empowering our
community.
48 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

entrepreneur
Nicholas Benoit
Principal: Benoit’s Bakery, Orchard & Pretentious Pie Co.
Members of the Benoit family have
proudly owned and operated businesses in
the LA area since the opening of US Steam
Laundry in the 1930s. For Nick, becoming
an entrepreneur in LA was in his blood.
Returning to Lewiston after prep school,
he had no idea what he wanted to do. He
tested the waters with various different
jobs but couldn’t find work that excited
him. His true career began when he
opened a small farm stand in Lisbon that
soon transformed into a full baking facility
boasting up to twenty employees.
Benoit’s Farm Stand came about by
happenstance—not yet knowing what he
would do with the space, Nick formed a
habit of leaving apples from his family’s
orchard outside the building for convenient
pick-up by local markets and farm
stands. When passers-by began taking the
apples and leaving money in their place,
he was inspired to open his own stand and
quickly got to work. After just three years,
he opened Benoit’s Bakery and Wine Cellar
in the same location. Today, as the
owner and operator of multiple businesses
in LA, Nick is always facing new challenges
and views himself primarily as a
creator of solutions.
with the “amazing” people
of LA. It is important
to Nick to patronize LA
area restaurants and
businesses to return the
support he receives for
his own. In his free time,
he likes playing golf and
being out on the water
whenever possible. He
also maintains a hobby
collecting antique automobiles,
but finds his
greatest pleasure derives
from helping others in
the LA community to
thrive and live their
dreams. A big fan of supporting
our youth, some
of the causes Nick is
most passionate about include the Special
Olympics, the Ronald McDonald House
and Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. He
does a lot of mentoring and working with
children in local schools. Having been
given many chances to succeed in his own
life, Nick feels strongly about providing
LA youth with opportunities to show the
world what they can do.
Nick is a firm believer that tomorrow is
never promised to anyone and focuses on
living for today. He sets personal goals for
himself in both the long and short-term,
but ultimately just wants to be happy in his
life and in his work and contributing to the
growing success of LA.
Naturally, one of Nick’s favorite
things about the LA area is its plethora of
restaurants. He also enjoys access to local
sporting events and loves interacting
Nick out & about
Nick posing next to a cannon
Nick on the mic
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
49

Jama ready to get to work
government
Jama Mohamed
Program Director, Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services
When they were relocated to the
United States, Jama and many fellow Somali
Bantu refugees first lived in larger
cities like Denver and Chicago. These
locations proved to be quite an adjustment
from the small villages Jama
and his peers grew up in. Many decided
to move to LA, viewing it as a
smaller community and a safe
place to raise their families.
When Jama and his
family arrived in Lewiston,
however, they soon
discovered a gap in
services to support assimilation
into the local
culture and saw many
Somali Bantu youth
dropping out of school
as a result. To address
this urgent need, he cofounded
the Somali
Bantu Youth Association.
Today, Jama works
with Maine Immigrant
and Refugee Services
(MIRS) as Program Director
for Youth Literacy
and Citizenship Services.
His job responsibilities
include program
development, education
and management of the
organization’s numerous
volunteers. He finds
his career most rewarding
because it enables
him to help others build
promising futures for
themselves and their
families.
Jama’s favorite thing about living
in LA is the wealth of friendship he has
found here—friends who support him in
achieving his goals through teaching and
encouragement. He is a big fan of local
cuisine, often stopping at 84 Court Pizza
& Restaurante for some “amazing” bruschetta
or enjoying a family meal at Applebee’s.
He spends most of his free time
with his lovely wife and their children
and often hosts large get-togethers with
extended family members. Some of the
local organizations he is most passionate
about include the Trinity Jubilee Center,
Lewiston Public Schools and the Sustainable
Livelihoods Relief Organization
(SLRO). The SLRO uses farming as a
means of helping immigrants, refugees
and asylum-seekers alike build sustainable
livelihoods by growing and selling
produce.
Having served on the Lewiston
School Committee, Jama is honored to be
the first African-born elected official in
Lewiston. With the Committee, he helped
establish new policies in efforts to ensure
that our local schools are providing the
best education possible to their students.
He gives back to LA through his work
with MIRS, helping immigrants gain
their citizenships and teaching them the
importance of being involved in the community.
While he prefers to focus on what
he can do to help LA thrive in the present,
Jama plans to continue building relationships
within the community in the future
and hopes to see more of its people coming
together across lines of diversity and
enjoying each other’s company. With
more communal conversations,
he believes the people of LA can
work and learn together to build
something great.
Steven Aden, Kristen Cloutier & Jama Mohamed
Jama with Linda Scott
50 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

government
Eric Brakey
Maine State Senator, District 20
As a State Senator, Eric is an impassioned
servant of Maine’s people. Believing
that our citizens prosper most when they
are free to make their own life choices, too
often he saw “big government” treating
adults like children by encouraging dependency,
strangling innovation and dictating
personal decisions. In 2014, Eric
decided to run for office to advocate for
personal freedom and responsibility. In his
role as a Maine senator, he is responsible
for fostering an environment where companies
can grow and thrive. As chairman of
the Health and Human Services Committee,
he oversees over $3 billion in funding
each year. Eric is grateful for the opportunity
to lead growing efforts for welfare reform,
saving money for Maine workers
while still providing services for those who
need it most. His favorite things about
being a Maine senator are using his own
perspective to solve the statewide challenges
and passing major reform to decrease
the role of the government in the
lives of individuals.
Born and raised in New Gloucester,
Eric worked for several years as a professional
actor in New York City. He eventually
returned home to Maine to be closer to
his relatives and to work in the family business.
Wanting to live in an area with a tightknit
community that offered the
accessibility of a larger city, he chose to settle
in Auburn. When thinking about what
he most enjoys about the LA area, Eric feels
that the little things make the biggest difference.
Some examples of
the “little things” he
loves about LA include:
seeing citizens work to
transform a giant snowbank
into a sled hill for
local children, enjoying a
first-rate musical production
at the volunteer-driven
Community Little
Theater, and witnessing
community members
picking up litter along
the side of the road in efforts
to beautify our
neighborhoods. He can
often be found enjoying
breakfast at Rolly’s
Diner, enjoying conversation
with a friendly face.
In the past, Eric spent a lot of his free
time performing through Community Little
Theatre, playing various roles including
Felix Unger from “The Odd Couple,” Mortimer
Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace”
and several small parts in a production of
“Monty Python’s Spamalot.” His work as a
senator prevents him from having the time
to participate on stage, so he remains active
with the Theatre as a member of its board
of directors. In addition to the Theatre, he
is passionate about “Big Brothers, Big Sisters”
an organization that enables local
adults to make a positive impact on youth
facing adversity in Maine through community
and school-based mentoring programs.
As a “Big Brother,” Eric most enjoys outdoor
activities with his “Little Brother” like
hiking Mount Appetite and walking the LA
Riverwalk. The two also enjoy the occasional
movie at Flagship Cinemas in
Auburn.
Eric hopes to continue making his efforts,
whether through the public or private
sector, to strengthen the liberties of Maine’s
people and empower them to create their
own opportunities to live, work and play.
Eric on the campaign trail
Eric on the senate floor
Eric & Roger Philippon as Oscar & Felix in
The Odd Couple at CLT
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
51

Nate, Andrea and their son
government
Nate Libby
Maine State Senator, District 21
Nate credits his time at Bates College
with playing a significant role in shaping
his career. Through the study of history
and economics, he refined his skills in research,
communication, organization and
critical thinking. Whether he is working
on securing financing for a start-up company
or shepherding a major piece of legislation
through the public process, the
experience he gained in college plays an
important part in his success. As a representative
of the City of Lewiston in the
Maine State Senate, Nate
works on enacting public
policy, providing
oversight for the activities
and spending of the
State government, and
assisting Lewiston residents
in accessing programs
and services. In
his second job as an economic
development consultant,
he focuses on
helping local governments
connect with businesses
to establish, grow
and create jobs. His favorite
thing about the
work he does is that it requires
taking a complex
problem and collaborating
with others to work
out a solution.
Growing up in a small
town just outside of Waterville,
Nate was the
first in his family to attend
college. He moved
to Lewiston at the age of
eighteen when he was
offered a substantial needs-based scholarship
to attend Bates College. He immediately
fell in love with the community
because of its welcoming and diverse citizenry.
Deciding to remain in Lewiston
after earning his degree, he has been living
and working in the LA area ever since.
When he has the time, Nate engages in
hobbies like carpentry, gardening and
landscaping, and enjoys going on outdoor
excursions with his wife, Andrea, their son
and two dogs.
As a state senator, Nate is an ardent
supporter of the vast array of nonprofit organizations
that serve the LA community.
He is especially passionate about early education
and services for children with special
needs, serving on the board of
directors for Androscoggin Head Start and
as chairman of Lewiston’s Universally Accessible
Playground Committee. Through
the Playground Committee, he supports
ongoing efforts to raise funds to build the
first playground in Maine where children
can play together regardless of their cognitive
and developmental abilities. Nate
also serves on the board of the Lewiston
Auburn Economic Growth Council
(LAEGC).
In the long term, Nate hopes to be
working in economic development on a
professional level and giving of his time
for public service. He is motivated by the
progress he sees in LA and enjoys taking
part in the continuous growth and redevelopment
happening here. He is excited
to see what the future holds for our
community.
Nate in the Senate
Nate addresses the Lewiston High School state champion soccer team
52 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

government
Jared Golden
Maine State Legislator, City of Lewiston
Jared’s started his career in politics
working for Senator Susan Collins on the
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Committee. He has a passion
for finding solutions for the issues
and challenges that face the City of Lewiston
and the State of Maine, and loves attending
community events to meet new
people and learn about the great work
they are doing. Today, he represents the
City of Lewiston in the Maine State Legislature
and serves on the Transportation
Committee and the Committee for Veterans
and Legal Affairs.
Moving back to Maine after four
years of active duty with the U.S.
Marines, Jared attended Bates College
and earned his degree in politics. He is
happy to be living in LA, where exciting
and inspiring revitalization efforts are
being made all the time. He also likes
being close to his friends and family and
met his wife, Isobel, in Lewiston. Some of
his favorite things about LA include the
character of its people, the strong architecture
and the beautiful
skyline. Access to entertainment
and other
downtown activities,
coupled with close proximity
to great locations
for hiking, fishing and
exploring the coast, are
among others.
When it comes to
local cuisine, you may
find Jared enjoying a
meal at Fuel, Marche,
George’s Pizza, or Bear
Bones. In his free time
he enjoys hanging out
with his wife and their
cats, as well as hiking,
exercising, brewing beer
and reading. This coming summer, the
couple is looking forward to working in
their garden and completing a variety of
home improvement projects. With his
background in the military, which included
deployments to both
Afghanistan and Iraq, Jared is most
passionate about supporting his fellow
veterans through his legislative
work. He also maintains an interest in
working to increase access to
multiple different forms of
transportation for the LA
community. Dedicated to
improving the lives of his
constituents, he participates in numerous
meetings at both the local and state levels
and has served on the boards of several
neighborhood organizations.
Jared and his wife are excited to build
a life together in LA. Although he believes
that life has a way of leading you in unexpected
directions, Jared envisions himself
continuing his work as an activist for
our community far into the future.
Isobel & Jared Golden
Jared representing Lewiston
Jared discussing ideas
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
53

CONGRATULATIONS
Dr. Ashlee Vandiver!
We appreciate all you do at
Sandcastle & L/A Hearing Center and within our community!

health & wellness
Ashlee H. Vandiver, Au.D.
Audiologist, L/A Hearing Center
As an audiologist for L/A Hearing
Center, Ashlee evaluates, diagnoses and
treats people with hearing loss and balance
disorders. She sees a wide range of
people, from newborns to geriatrics, helping
patients and their families better understand
the nature and impact of hearing
loss and providing custom treatment options
to suit individual listening needs. For
the children she treats, Ashlee collaborates
with early intervention providers, educators
and other school professionals to ensure
access to language in the classroom.
She is honored to have the opportunity to
witness so many life-changing moments
and is passionate about helping her patients
regain their hearing independence
so they can play a part in important conversations
with family, friends and colleagues.
Midway through her undergraduate
career, Ashlee decided she wanted to pursue
a specialty in the medical field. She
was studying biology and enrolled in premed
when she enrolled in an “Intro to Audiology”
course by chance. Ashlee knew
audiology was her calling and hasn’t
looked back since. She often recalls a special
moment from the beginning of her
professional career when she witnessed a
child she’d fit with hearing aids hear her
own footsteps for the first time. It is the
connection to her patients and their families
that drives Ashlee in her work each
day.
Ashlee and her family
love living in the LA
community because it is
close to so many important
people and things in
their lives. The family
visits with nearby relatives,
enjoys trips to
Maine beaches and
mountains, and spends
time exploring local cuisine.
Some favorite
places to grab a bite include
Fuel, Fish Bones,
Orchid and Gritty’s.
Ashlee is an ardent
supporter of hearing loss
education and often joins
forces with different local and national
agencies to provide educational seminars
for those who could benefit from a greater
understanding of ear and hearing disorders.
She particularly enjoys collaborating
with SeniorsPlus in Lewiston, tapping into
some of the tremendous educational opportunities
for our community’s elders.
Over the past three years, Ashlee has been
heavily involved with Young Professionals
of Lewiston Auburn (YPLAA) and
presently serves as chair of the organization
as well as co-chair of the Y-Not
Committee. She feels lucky to be able to
work with local young professionals and
learning why they have chosen the LA
area as their home.
With a family history of heart disease,
Ashlee also supports The American Heart
Association as a member of the executive
leadership team for the annual Central
Maine Heart Walk.
Ten years from now, Ashlee plans to
be living in the LA community continuing
to do the work she loves. She cannot imagine
living or practicing anywhere else!
Enjoying a Patriot’s game
with friends at Gritty’s
Ashlee’s children
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55

health & wellness
Sara Goodrich
Massage Therapist, Renew You! Massage & Yoga
As a self-employed massage therapist
and instructor of yoga and meditation,
Sara’s job is to help people who are sore
and stressed and who want to improve
upon their physical and emotional wellbeing.
She discovered her interest in massage
therapy while working in an office
that offered massage to its employees as
part of a generous health benefit program.
Bored and unmotivated
in her work, the therapeutic
office massages
started Sara on the path
to her present profession.
She would later incorporate
yoga and
meditation, a decision
she says was largely
driven by her love for
Kundalini Yoga, commonly
known as the
“Yoga of Awareness.”
Sara is fond of the
challenges of self-employment,
which she
finds often test her and
keep her on her toes. She
has learned a lot over the
years and has seen herself
grow strong and
confident in areas where
she was felt weak. Her
passion lies in helping
people. A self-identified
idealist, she believes we
all share a responsibility
to make the world a better
place. For Sara, it all
begins with improving
your own mind, body
and life. Her goal is to
employ massage therapy, yoga and meditation
to support local individuals in their
efforts to heal themselves and the world
around them. A strong proponent of
integrity, Sara feels fortunate to have
the power to run her own business in
a fashion that best reflects her own
personal values.
Sara moved to LA when her husband
got a job making furniture in the area. She
loves that the LA community boasts a
unique combination of an “urban feel” in
the downtown area and easy access to natural
resources both in the mountains and
along the coast. She also finds a wealth of
opportunity in LA for a young person to
“make their mark.” Sara believes that if
you “roll up your sleeves and dig in,”
you’ll see that your work is appreciated
and find enormous potential to make a
positive impact. With a strong interest in
urban development, Sara was part of the
group that started Grow L+A, a volunteer
organization that has been a driving force
behind the redevelopment of Bates Mill
No. 5 in Lewiston. She ascribes to a philosophy
known as “New Urbanism,” which
examines the history of a community with
downtown areas and neighborhoods that
were once prosperous, connected and
lively and asks the question, “what were
they doing right?”
Outside her career and community
work, Sara enjoys gardening, hiking, reading
and traveling. Some of her favorite
local eateries include Marche, Boba, Thai
Dish and Forage Market. Looking to the
future, she plans to continue working to
fully develop her business so it can flourish.
Beyond that, she finds it important to
leave a little room for serendipity.
members of Grow L+A
Sara with her sister, Frannie
vacationing in Yellowstone
56 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

health & wellness
Rosemarie G. Sheline, DDS
Dentist, Center Street Dental
Commonly known in the LA community
as “Dr. Rose,” Dr. Rosemarie Sheline,
DDS, is a dentist and owner of
Center Street Dental in Auburn. A native
of the Philippines, Dr. Rose graduated
from the University of Baguio in 2001.
When she met her husband, Carl, she decided
to immigrate and continue pursuing
her dental career in the United States.
After passing her dental exams, she attended
Loma Linda University in California
and graduated in 2005. Her current
services include treating cavities and oral
infections as well as providing cosmetic
and family services with implants, veneers,
crowns and routine wellness
checkups. She is passionate about helping
her patients feel good about themselves
so they can start smiling and
enjoying their lives again.
Dr. Rose and her husband wanted to
live in Maine because of its natural
beauty and sense of community. They
were happy to find a practice in Auburn
and a place to live in Lewiston that they
enjoy. Her favorite things about living in
LA are all the great local people and the
availability of a wide variety
of activities. She truly
appreciates the opportunity
to work with her
wonderful staff that
plays a key role in her
efforts to improve the
lives of her patients. Dr.
Rose feels that by providing
great oral health
care for our community,
she can contribute to the
overall wellbeing and
happiness of its people.
When she isn’t
working at Center Street
Dental, Dr. Rose can be
found spending time
with her husband and
their two beautiful children,
John and Danika. A big music fan,
she is currently taking piano lessons as
well as voice lessons to improve upon her
skills. She also loves to exercise, with a
particular passion for hiking. She supports
the LA community through her
business, providing numerous dental
health bags to local elementary schools
and at various community
events. Center Street Dental also
supports several events and nonprofits
in the LA area through
sponsorships and participation
in fundraisers.
Through its own wellness program, Center
Street Dental staff often take part in
local 5K races and do their best to promote
overall health and wellness in LA.
Dr. Rose is particularly interested in the
efforts of The Auburn PAL Center, The
Dempsey Center and Tree Street Youth,
all local organizations that provide valuable
services and resources to those who
need support and compassion.
Looking ahead, Dr. Rose plans to
continue her life and her practice in LA
and has no doubt that the place she calls
“home” will continue to grow and thrive
in the future.
Carl & Dr. Rose Sheline
at the Great Falls Balloon Festival
with her children, Danika & John
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
57

health & wellness
Sadie Landry
Sensei and Owner, Pelletier’s Karate
As a sensei at Pelletier’s Karate in
Lewiston, Sadie teaches a variety of classes
including yoga, “yogalates,” cardio kickboxing,
and self-defense. As an owner, she
focuses on marketing, community involvement
and special events for the dojo. It is
Sadie’s philosophy that the most important
part of her role as a teacher is her duty
to act as a positive role model to all of her
students and to provide them with the necessary
tools to be successful members of
society.
Sadie started practicing karate when
she was thirteen years old as a means of
exercise. Over the years she grew to love
the art of the sport, developing a passion
for teaching and competition. She is proud
to have been the number one female competitor
in the State of Maine in her late
teens, but her favorite moment in her
karate career was earning her black belt.
Now that she has been teaching karate in
the LA community for over fifteen years,
one of the most rewarding aspects of her
work is seeing former students return to
the dojo to enroll their children and grandchildren.
She loves to see her students become
more confident, stronger and
happier in their lives through the practice
of martial arts, yoga and general fitness.
Sadie has grown to love the state
of Maine since she moved here from
the Midwest with her family as a
child. Her favorite things about LA
include the diversity
of its people, the
widespread energy to
improve and grow, and
the strong sense of community.
She spends
much of her free time
with her family and
friends playing indoor
and outdoor activities.
She enjoys camping and
white water rafting and
is a proud “hockey
mom.” Local places
where Sadie likes to grab
a bite to eat include
Dubois Café and Rolly’s
Diner for breakfast, Pure
Thai, Guthrie’s and Forage
for lunch and Pat’s
Pizza, Jasmine Café, and
Fish Bones for dinner.
To support her community, Sadie is
actively involved in Montello and Geiger
Elementary Schools by teaching karate,
going on field trips and planning local festivals
and events. She also serves as President
of the Auburn Lewiston Exchange
Club, an organization she feels provides
many great opportunities to give back to
the LA area. Other causes she supports include
the local Boys and Girls Club,
Tree Street Youth and the Community Little
Theater. In general, Sadie and her family
are very active in a wide variety of
community events.
Looking to the future, Sadie plans to
remain active in teaching health and wellness.
She hopes to become more involved
in the LA community, which she calls “the
world’s best kept secret,” and to be a role
model for all.
Sadie & Jason Landry
Summer fun
Sadie with her children,
Rocco, Cecilia & Fiona
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
59

The Board, Staff and Veterans of Veterans Inc.
congratulate Alley Smith on being selected to the 2016
Lewiston Auburn’s inaugural class of 40 Under 40.
We salute the entire
group of 40 Under 40
recipients!
Offices Located In: ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, CT
800-482-2565
www.veteransinc.org

local heroes
Alley Smith
Supportive Services for Military Veterans, Veterans, Inc.
Alley began her career in veterans’
advocacy after serving ten years’ active
duty in the military, which service included
being deployed to combat in
Afghanistan. Her love for working with
the service members and their families
led her to her current position at Veterans,
Inc., an organization dedicated to
ending homelessness among veterans.
At Veterans, Inc., Alley is responsible for
grant programs like “Supportive Services
for Military Veterans and their Families”
and the “Homeless Veteran Reintegration
Program.” She also supervises the day-today
operations and works together with
her incredible team to assist homeless, atrisk
and transitioning veterans with
housing, employment, training and benefits
assistance. As a Marine, Alley was
taught to know her fellow Marines and to
look out for their welfare. Her work with
Veterans, Inc. is her way of maintaining
that spirit as a civilian.
Apart from her work with Veterans,
Inc., Alley gives back to her community
through her work with the Maine Military
& Community Network Regional
Committee, Healthy Androscoggin,
Catholic Charities of
Maine’s Path Program
and the Lewiston Career
Center, among others.
She also volunteers her
time to local food
pantries and churches,
and is part of both the
American Legion and
Maine Army National
Guard as a Chaplain
and Chaplain’s Assistant,
respectively.
Causes she is most passionate
about include
AmeriCorps, Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions
of America, IAVA:
Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America,
Maine Team RWB, Internity, and Sexual
Assault Prevention & Response Services.
In her free time, Alley likes to stop at
Guthrie’s and Pop Shoppe Diner for a
good bite to eat. She is a big fan of staying
active, often working out at Orange Circuit
Fitness or going for a run at Thorncraig
Bird Sanctuary.
In the future, Alley sees herself continuing
her work with Veterans, Inc. and
completing her Master’s Degree in Biblical
Counseling. In ten years, she hopes
to retire from the military reserve. She
believes the greatest
challenge facing the LA community
today is the need to build resilience. To
Alley, this challenge can be overcome by
boosting personal accountability and responsibility,
positive mentoring and role
modeling, peer to peer support and individual
enthusiasm.
Alley in Afghanistan
Sporting Moxie t-shirts in Afghanistan
Dynamic Dirt Challenge
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
61

local heroes
Joel Furrow
Director, Root Cellar in Lewiston
right path by equipping
them with the life skills
for a successful future, to
the Friends and Neighbors
Network (“FANN”),
a collective designed to
facilitate and promote LA
neighbors in need providing
food for one another.
Joel feels honored
to be able to work alongside
the “small army” of
volunteers at The Cellar.
He characterizes those he
works with as a diverse
group of people, all sharing
a common goal of engaging,
equipping and
empowering LA citizens
in need through high
quality programs and
services. Joel feels humbled
by the love, dedication,
and faith of those he
works with.
offered his current position at The Root Cellar
in 2012, Joel saw it as a new and exciting
opportunity to learn how to engage, equip
and empower others to be better neighbors.
The job offer came just before he and his
wife, Hilary, welcomed their first daughter,
and they both felt that the time was right to
“put down some roots” and see what God
had planned for them in LA.
One of Joel’s favorite things about LA
is its central location in the State of Maine;
he and his family love being close to both
the mountains and the coast. When he isn’t
working, Joel spends as much time as he
can with his beautiful wife and their two
adorable daughters, Annaleigh and Jane.
The family is fond of outdoor activities,
spending time at local lakes whenever possible.
Joel also enjoys fishing, playing basketball,
and watching the Red Sox. For a
bite to eat, his favorites include The Italian
Bakery, Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream, Forage
Market, and Boba.
As Director of The Root Cellar, Joel’s
job carries with it numerous responsibilities.
On a typical day, he may be writing or
designing a newsletter, leading a teen
group, updating the Cellar’s website, working
alongside volunteers in the various programs
offered to adults, teens and children
by the organization, or planning a fundraising
event. The Root Cellar boasts programs
for local citizens of all ages, from “Project
Rooted,” a program designed to engage
at-risk youth and get them on the
Joel’s work is
motivated primarily
by his
faith in God.
During college,
he became interested
in learning to live out the
teachings of Jesus—“to love our
neighbor, love our enemies, care
for the needy and welcome the
stranger.” His pursuit led him to
work with refugees in Jordan and
Atlanta, before spending nearly
five years in Boston working
with at-risk youth. When he was
Ice cream at the Fielder’s Choice
Joel & Hilary Furrow
Joel with his daughters: Annaleigh & Jane
62 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

local heroes
Joseph Philippon
Lewiston Police Officer
Joe joined the Lewiston Police Department
in the summer of 2005 after graduating
from the University of Maine in Augusta
with his bachelor’s degree in Administration
of Justice. Raised in Lewiston, he stayed connected
to LA during college through his
work as a security officer for St. Mary’s Hospital
and Bates. Joe has always found LA to
be welcoming, safe, and rich with history,
which is why he decided to stay here with
his wife, Katie, to raise their growing family.
The couple resides in Lewiston together with
Joe’s stepson, Isaha, and their exciting new
addition due to arrive in the fall.
As a Community Resource Officer for
Lewiston PD, Joe focuses on outreach by participating
in community meetings and developing
positive relationships with LA
citizens. He is responsible for education, recruitment,
and grant management, as well as
developing initiatives for long-term solutions
to community problems and emphasizing
the importance of community policing
and relationship building. Joe also oversees
the Lewiston Project Lifesaver Program, a
program that aims to provide timely responses
for those affected by Alzheimer’s
disease and similar conditions that cause
them to wander. Individuals enrolled in the
Program wear a transmitter and can be
found more quickly, which means
more lives are saved and
many potential injuries
may be avoided.
Outside of his career,
Joe has a passion for all
things relating to education.
He gives back to his
community by serving on
the board of directors for
the Androscoggin Head
Start Program, and is
signed up to be an assistant
coach for the upcoming
eighth grade Lewiston
Middle School baseball
team. In the past, he
served as President of the
Elliott Ave. Little League
and has been an assistant
coach for several little league teams in the
area. Based on his life experiences, Joe believes
that an accessible and quality education
plays a significant part in ensuring
success for the future of LA’s youth.
Joe’s favorite thing about LA is its sense
of community. He is motivated
by growing local efforts
to effect positive change and
continued development in the
area. When he is not at work
or volunteering his time, Joe
can be found enjoying a bite
to eat at Fuel Restaurant,
where his wife is general
manager. He enjoys traveling,
eating out, playing
hockey, and watching his
stepson’s baseball and
hockey games.
Looking forward, Joe hopes to play a
more significant role in the continued
growth and development of the LA community
through public service. He believes that
we all must advocate for the community
where we live, work, and raise our families.
birth announcement (l to r): Joe’s stepson Isaha L’Heureux,
wife Katie Palmer & Joe Philippon
(l to r): Joe, wife Katie Palmer, stepson Isaha L’Heureux, Rep, Mike Michaud,
mother Celeste Philippon, and father Roger Philippon
with Rep. Mike Michaud in Washington D.C.
Joe at the
trainingvisiting
Trunk or Treat event in Lewiston with an
officer in
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
63

local heroes
Julia Sleeper
Executive Director, Tree Street Youth Center
Julia found her passion working with
Lewiston’s youth population while she was
an undergraduate at Bates College. She fell
in love with the LA community and decided
to stay in Lewiston after graduation
to continue her work with LA youth by cultivating
opportunities through the development
and creation of the Tree Street Youth
Center. As Executive Director, she oversees
the daily operations of Tree Street, supervises
its staff, collaborates
with the
board of directors and
maintains the ever-growing
vision of the agency.
Her favorite thing about
her work with Tree Street
is seeing local youth and
their families challenging
themselves to try new
things. To Julia, it is a
privilege to witness these
powerful moments.
Some of the projects
Julia is involved in
through Tree Street include
the “StreetLeaders”
program, through which
high-achieving LA high
school students serve as
role models and tutors
for younger children, and
the “B.R.A.N.C.H.E.S.”
program that focuses on
increasing overall graduation,
college acceptance
and college retention
rates for at-risk
youth in LA.
Tree Street further
offers after
school programs
and summer
youth programming,
as well as
arts and athletics.
Julia is highly motivated by
the LA youth population and
finds their energy, pride, and
drive to lead improvement efforts
in their community to be
“very unique and powerful.” She is passionate
about all the LA area agencies that
work so hard to support our youth and
families in need. She is proud to be a part of
the “huge web of support” these agencies
provide. For Julia, the greatest challenge
facing LA today is the need for its citizens
to come together and cross all lines drawn
by their differences. With time, patience,
and a collective willingness to learn, listen
and keep an open mind, she believes this
challenge can be overcome.
In her free time, Julia is happy to stay
home and watch a movie, enjoy the outdoors
by camping or going for a hike, and
engaging in the various fun activities LA
has to offer with her family. For a bite to eat,
Julia favors many of the delicious restaurants
that downtown Lewiston has to offer.
She has a special interest in supporting local
youth sports programs, particularly the
teams her children play for. Julia plans to
continue raising her family in LA while
working to make The Tree Street Youth Center
even greater and more sustainable.
Julia congratulates a graduate
at Tree Street Youth Center
Julia poses with her campers
64 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

WE ARE
TREE
by Julia Sleeper
julia@treestreetyouth.org
Juvenile Justice Initiative, and many collaborative
school partnerships. Each year Tree
Street also hosts a group of 10-12 post-graduate
or college interns through the Intercultural
Community Exchange experience.
These young people commit an academic
year or summer of service to Tree Street and
the Lewiston community while living and
learning as a cohort immersed in the surrounding
Downtown Lewiston-Tree Street
Neighborhood.
Julia Sleeper is the Co-Founder and Executive Director
of Tree Street Youth Center. Born and
raised in the Bangor area, she initially moved to
Lewiston as an undergraduate at Bates College.
That’s when she began connecting to the Downtown
Lewiston community.
T
ree Street Youth supports the
youth of Lewiston-Auburn,
Maine through academics, the
arts and athletics. We provide Lewiston-
Auburn youth with a safe space that encourages
healthy physical, social, emotional, and
academic development while building unity
across lines of difference.
Founded in 2011, Tree Street Youth grew its
roots from a local homework help program.
Thanks to the continued support of the
local community, individual donors, and
foundation grants, Tree Street is able to offer
all of the programming at
no cost to families. We
strive to eliminate economic
barriers by providing
a space of equal
opportunity and advancement.
At Tree Street, we believe
that true empowerment begins with the
self, but then transcends it to create a
greater, collective harmony. Our holistic approach
to youth development integrates a
restorative justice model that demonstrates
leadership, accountability, and life skills,
both strengthening youth and bringing
them together. We aim to empower the individual
self, as well as the
collective whole. We
blend the focus on the individual
with an equally
important emphasis on
building unity by creating
bridges across lines of difference.
We believe in
this model because we ultimately
believe that the
most important thing
that our youth learn is
acceptance – of themselves
and of each other.
Tree Street serves 120-
150 youth grades Pre-K through 12 daily
through its various programs which include
the After school Academic Enrichment program,
StreetLeader Teen Leadership Program,
Arts and Cultural Enrichment
Classes, BRANCHES College Prep, Sequoia
In Autumn 2014, the organization purchased
the entire building which housed the
center thereby gaining an additional 5,424
square feet of space for future growth. Tree
Street has raised approximately $800,000 towards
its $1.3 million building renovation
which will include a logistically sound layout,
a large multi-purpose space complete
with stage and kitchenette as well as a new
suite of classrooms for older youth.
For the last 2 years running Tree Street’s
BRANCHES College Prep has boast a
100% high school graduation rate with the
class of 2015 having a 95% college acceptance
rate!
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
65

Congratulations
to all of the
40 Under 40 winners!
Roux Insurance is Excited
about its Under 40 Staff
Safe Voices is proud to be part of the L/A
community for over 38 years!
Kay
Roux
Selena
Churchill
Zac
Gayton
PO Box 713, Auburn • 207-795-6744
24 hour helpline: 1-800-559-2927 • www.SafeVoices.org
185 Webster Street, Lewiston • 207-784-9358
www.rouxinsurance.com

volunteers
Elise Johansen
Executive Director, Safe Voices
Elise believes the path to leadership is
not a straight line, but rather a winding
road that, if you are willing, open and positive,
will be worth every twist and turn.
She avoids limiting her aspirations and
keeps an open mind when it comes to trying
new methods of achieving her goals. It
was her positive “just say yes” attitude that
led Elise to her current position as Executive
Director of Safe Voices. By being clear
about her vision and not afraid to ask for
help, she was able to turn a department of
three staff members into a robust program
that boasts up to twenty-four staff members
with numerous new sources of funding.
She views her primary duty as
carrying out the mission of Safe Voices in
working to end domestic violence. Her regular
responsibilities include serving as
spokesperson, setting the leadership model
for the agency and ensuring that all agency
activities are held to the highest possible
standards.
Apart from her work with Safe Voices,
Elise’s favorite thing about LA is enjoying
the view on her daily commute to work.
Seeing birds of prey and turkeys, along
with other wildlife along the river is a wonderful
way to begin her day.
A huge coffee fan, she
often sets meetings at
Forage Market so she can
indulge in their delicious
brews. For lunches and
other events at Safe
Voices, Lewiston House
of Pizza is always a hit.
Personally, she favors
Marche and DaVinci’s
and recently became a
fan of Margarita’s after
enjoying their food at a
benefit for Safe Voices.
Elise is a lover of animals
and nature, and often
spends the weekends
hiking, gardening, or exploring
the tidal pools at
the beach with her wife.
Indoors, she is a self-proclaimed
“major book nerd” and enjoys
watching reality TV. Elise and her wife are
also committed to supporting local businesses,
purchasing many goods from local
farmers and artisans.
In the next ten years, Elise envisions
herself running a large, successful nonprofit,
being a best-selling author, or both!
Causes she is most passionate about include
fighting for the rights of women, animals,
the LGBTQ community, and the
environment.
She has worked hard throughout her career
to collaborate with community stakeholders
to create new services and enhance existing
ones and to ensure that all people are
treated fairly and holistically. She plans to
continue her efforts to create a culture of
kindness and empowerment in the LA
area. For Elise, the keys to success are to
dream big and say “yes.”
Elise enjoys a summer day
live on the set
Elise & Shaun
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
67

volunteers
Matthew Shaw
Business Development Officer, Community Credit Union
As the Business Development Officer
for Community Credit Union, Matt’s job
is to improve the Credit Union’s competitive
position through business development
functions and working closely with
local dealers and realtors to help secure
lending for various projects in LA. He is
also closely involved with LA area
schools, facilitating financial literacy
courses for students of all ages, and serves
as a representative of CCU at local
fundraisers and community events.
Born and raised in Lewiston, Matt enrolled
in accounting and technology
courses in high school and worked for a
local bank while attending college at St.
Joseph’s. Envisioning a future for himself
helping others and giving back to his community,
he built a strong foundation in
marketing and business ethics and eventually
earned his bachelor’s degree in
Business Administration. Prior to joining
CCU, Matt worked with United Way of
Androscoggin County as Director of Campaign
and Marketing. When he was offered
the job at CCU, Matt saw an ideal
opportunity to combine his commitment
to and admiration for our community
with his passion for building relationships.
He feels fortunate to live and work
in LA with its rich history and beautiful architecture.
agent, banquet bartender
and manager on
duty. When he’s not at
work, he loves to be out
and about in the community.
Whether he’s attending
Business After
Hours around town,
tasting new foods at locally
owned restaurants,
volunteering for events
or participating in local
fundraising efforts, Matt
finds it “engaging and
rewarding” to be a part
of building LA by helping
his fellow citizens
whenever possible. He is
an active presence in
both the LA Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce and Uplift LA
and loves that so many local businesses
are members of the Chamber and consistently
contribute to efforts to draw more
people to the LA area to live, work and
play.
Some of Matt’s favorite places to eat in LA
include Marche, Jasmine Café, Sea40 and
DaVinci’s. Outside his community work,
he has an interest in taking scenic photographs,
traveling and sitting by the ocean,
and spending time on Sebago Lake with
family and friends. In the future, he sees
himself continuing to build the LA community
as well as the surrounding area.
He hopes to be able to make lasting positive
impacts and maintains an attitude
that “when you help one, you help
everyone.”
Beyond his career with CCU, Matt
works for the Hilton Garden Inn in
Auburn as a guest services
Matthew Shaw, Deborah Carroll,
Maureen Aube & Jenny Ziebart
Like Family... Jonathan Ogden, Kayleigh Jameyson, Annette Jo &
Matthew Shaw at Sea 40
Richard "Pete" Shaw, Dad; Greg Begin, Brother-In-Law;
Cassandra "KC" Begin, Sister; Karen Shaw, Mom
UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40
69

volunteers
Maura Moody
Public Relations Coordinator, LAEGC
She characterizes her job
as a fast-paced, multifaceted
position. She is
responsible for marketing
LA and the efforts of
the Council locally and
nationally, planning and
organizing local events
like the Business to Business
Trade Show, and
supporting efforts to
publicize new and existing
businesses in the
area.
“mom and pop” restaurants to enjoy. She
believes it is important not to get so caught
up in her career that she forgets to enjoy
all the rest that life has to offer. To give
back to her community, Maura volunteers
her time helping those in need. Her greatest
passion lies with the local homeless
community and she commends the New
Beginnings Youth Shelter for its efforts to
lead our youth down the path of positivity
and determination. Volunteerism is extremely
important to Maura, whose basic
philosophy is “you can never go wrong
being nice.”
Maura began her academic career in
Auburn and quickly returned to LA after
college. A self-proclaimed “true and
through ‘Mainah,’” her favorite thing
about LA is the plethora of community
events that are always going on. It is inspiring
for Maura to live in a city that is
constantly working to get more citizens involved
on all different levels. Almost a
year ago, she was hired by the Lewiston
Auburn Economic Growth Council as its
Office Manager and Public Relations
Coordinator.
Opportunities for
community involvement
and consistent exposure
to new endeavors and
challenges are Maura’s
favorite aspects of her
work with the LAEGC.
She also feels fortunate
to live and work in an
environment where familiar
faces are found almost
everywhere she
goes. Maura finds marketing
LA to be a fun
venture, motivating her
peers to see the growth
and development in the area by encouraging
them to attend local events.
Outside of her job, Maura loves to
experience new places. She spends
much of her free time exploring, whether
it be hiking, traveling someplace new in
Maine, or searching for undiscovered
For the future, Maura sees herself
working hands-on in the LA community
to advocate for our youth, and is presently
in the process of applying to get her master’s
degree in Social Work. Whether it be
in the school systems or through our local
shelters, she wants to be reaching out and
making a difference.
Maura on the coast of Maine
Maura loves making new friends
Kevin Morin, Joe Philippon, Sandy Marquis & Maura Moody
70 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

Congratulations
to all of the
40 Under 40
Winners!
AUSTIN ASSOCIATES
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Auburn & Norway
1-800-605-9263
austinpa.com

volunteers
Rilwan Osman
Executive Director, Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services
Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services
was built upon a shared vision to educate,
support and empower immigrant and
refugee youth in the LA area. The first step
that Rilwan, co-founder and executive director
of MIRS, and his colleagues took
was to establish monthly meetings for
local youth to discuss problems they were
facing and work together to generate positive
solutions.
The monthly meetings
became so popular that
MIRS expanded its services
to include soccer
programs, academic
support, cultural programs
and tradition
counseling. Today, MIRS
not only serves immigrant
and refugee youth
in LA, but also offers a
myriad of services to
their parents. The Citizenship
Program, which
helps immigrant and
refugee parents study for
the literacy portion of
their naturalization
exams, boasts an impressive
success rate and has
become so popular that
people are traveling
from other parts of the
State to be a part of it.
Other services for parents
include
courses on job
searching, parenting
and advanced
reading,
writing and oral
skills.
As Executive Director,
Rilwan oversees all day-to-day
activities of the agency. He helps
facilitate English as a Second
Language courses, juvenile
justice programs, after school
programming, mental health
services, and more. He started MIRS as a
group of volunteers and has seen it
quickly grow into an agency that employs
over thirty people.
Born in Somalia and raised in a
refugee camp, Rilwan had never lived in a
big city when he and his family relocated
to Atlanta, Georgia. Not finding Atlanta to
be a great fit, Rilwan and his family moved
to LA after hearing from other family and
friends that it was a small and safe place
to live and raise children. His favorite
thing about the LA community is the availability
of a support system for those who
need it. Some of his favorite places to eat
include Dunkin’ Donuts and local Somali
restaurants. When he isn’t working, Rilwan
enjoys being with his family and volunteering
his time and money to help
others when he can. Looking to the future,
he plans to work toward more integration,
offering increased multicultural activities
to connect Maine citizens, old and new.
Rilwan’s children
Rilwan with his daughter, Qamar
Abdikadir, Jama, Rilwan & Fatuma
72 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40

Cheers!
Congrats to all the
40 Under 40 Winners
You make Lewiston Auburn Proud!
5 LOCATIONS FOR RETAIL • WHOLESALE • REDEMPTION • LIQUOR STORE
www.roopersbeverage.com

Congratulations
to the
Honorees!
2016
Abdikadir
Negeye
Co-founder
Maine Immigrant
& Refugee Services
Aimee
Labbe
Manager at Patrick
Dempsey Center for
Cancer Hope & Healing
Alexandra
Hood
Olin Arts Center
Operations
Bates College
Alley
Smith
Supportive Services for
Military Veterans
Veterans, Inc.
Dr. Ashlee
Vandiver, Au.D.
Audiologist
L/A Hearing Center
Ben
Chin
Political Director
Maine People’s Alliance
Chantel
Pettengill
Owner & Director
Pettengill Academy
Colby
Michaud
Owner
Praxis Production Studios
Deanna
Etienne
Pre-K Teacher
Walton Elementary
School
Derrick
Lacasse
Music & Chorus Teacher
St. Dominic Academy
Dr. Rose
Sheline, DDS
Dentist
Center Street Dental
Elise
Johansen
Executive Director
Safe Voices
Emily
Butterfield
Student Navigator
Central Maine
Community College
Emmie
Jones
Owner
Emmie Jones Photography
Eric
Brakey
Maine State Senator
District 20
Erin
Reed
Executive Director
Trinity Jubilee Center
Gabrielle
Russell
Architect
Platz & Associates
Jama
Mohamed
Program Director
Maine Immigrant &
Refugee Services
Jared
Golden
State Legislator
City of Lewiston
Jen
Hogan
President & CEO
Community Credit Union
Jenny
Ziebart
Director of Marketing
LA Metro Chamber
Joe
Philippon
Police Officer
City of Lewiston
Joel
Furrow
Director
Root Cellar
Julia
Sleeper
Executive Director
Tree Street Youth Center
Karly
Eretizen
Creative Strategist
Rinck Advertising
Luke
Livingston
Founder & CEO
Baxter Brewing Company
Marc
Gosselin
Manager
Norway Savings Bank
Arena
Marlo
Hewitt
Founder & Operator
Hair Station Hair Salon
Matthew
Shaw
Business Development
Officer
Community Credit Union
Maura
Moody
Public Relations
Coordinator
LAEGC
Melanie
Therrien
Owner & Operator
Wicked Illustrations
Melissa
Simones
Policy Director
for Senate President,
Michael Thibodeau
Misty
Parker
Economic Development
Specialist
City of Lewiston
Nate
Libby
Maine State Senator
District 21
Nick
Benoit
Principal
Benoit’s Bakery
Rilwan
Osman
Executive Director
Maine Immigrant &
Refugee Services
Sadie
Landry
Sensei & Owner
Pelletier’s Karate
Sara
Goodrich
Massage Therapist
Renew You! Massage
& Yoga
Sheri
Withers
Owner
Downtown Homemade
& Vintage
Vincent
Ratsovong
Creative Director
Community Little Theatre
74 UPLIFT LA 40 UNDER 40