Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 2 2 Portland | Kennebunk | Biddeford www.perkinsthompson.com Providing innovative and cost-effective representation in a full range of practice areas. Delivering smart solutions to the most challenging issues. F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F I L E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F JA C K S O N L A BO R AT O R Y Roccy Risbara Kristen Miale Edison Liu JB: e knowledge workforce can now work anywhere — meaning that Maine companies can find talent anywhere in the country. Conversely, Mainers can work anywhere in the country, which means that Maine companies need to compete for national talent, including to keep their local employees. 2 0 2 0 H ONOR EE: Roccy Risbara is partner and president of Risbara Bros. Construction Co. and a partner in the Downs mixed-use development in Scarborough. Mainebiz: What advice would you give your younger self when you started your career? Roccy Risbara: When you're young in your career, it is easy to get caught up the minutiae. Stay focused on your big-picture goals and drive towards reaching milestones that matter. MB: What has the pandemic taught you about business leadership? RR: e pandemic showed me, and all of us really, just how resilient we are. MB: What is the biggest challenge or opportunity for Maine's economy this year? RR: e pandemic has put Maine on the map, and it is now our job to shape the trajectory of the statewide economic growth. 2 0 2 0 H ONOR EE: Kristen Miale, who was also honored as a Mainebiz Woman to Watch in 2015, is executive director of Good Shepherd Food Bank. Mainebiz: What advice would you give your younger self when you started your career? Kristen Miale: To not be so doubtful and question the contribution you can make. You bring a unique perspec- tive simply by being new and young. Respect the experience of those around you, but recognize that you bring something of value, too. MB:What has the pandemic taught you about business leadership? KM: at when we focus on meeting the needs of the majority, we likely leave out marginalized populations who are usually the most impacted by crises. We need to make room to hear directly from those most impacted by our decisions rather than assuming that we know what's best. MB: What is the biggest challenge or opportunity for Maine's economy this year? KM: Income inequality remains the biggest drag on our economy. 2 0 2 1 H ONOR EE: Edison Liu, former president and CEO of the Jackson Laboratory, is now a professor, president emeritus and honorary fellow at the Bar Harbor- based nonprofit. Mainebiz: What advice would you give your younger self when you started your career? Edison Liu: Don't take setbacks so seriously — they are not failures, but opportunities to learn. Also, sleep more. You will be happier, and so will those around you. MB: What has the pandemic taught you about business leadership? EL: First is the importance of build- ing a strong and cohesive leadership team supporting you. e second is to be a decisive leader: Gather infor- mation, consult, communicate, and then act. MB: What is the biggest challenge or opportunity for Maine's economy this year? EL: e biggest challenge is that we will withdraw, rather than viewing this time as an opportunity to be bold. We must emphasize that people no longer have to be in Boston or New York, and help Maine attract the people and the businesses for us to grow. Income inequality remains the biggest drag on our economy. — Kristen Miale Good Shepherd Food Bank

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