Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 A U G U S T 8 , 2 0 2 2 Do you know a young business professional worthy of recognition? Mainebiz seeks to honor the young professional and rising stars of Maine's business community for its first NextUp: 40 Under Forty Awards. S PONS OR ED BY NOMINATE BY 8/19! MAINEBIZ .BIZ/NOMINATIONS P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D Rebecca Hatfield Quincy Hentzel Marie Hansen Rebecca Hatfield, incoming president and CEO of Avesta Housing Biggest change: Avesta is celebrat- ing its 50th anniversary this year, and I am stepping into the role as presi- dent and CEO in September. Avesta Housing has grown to be one of the most successful and trusted nonprofit affordable housing providers in the nation, and I am honored to carry on that tradition and lead Avesta into the next phase as it continues to provide safe, quality, affordable homes for people in need. Goal: e need for affordable hous- ing has never been more urgent. My primary goal is to engage and col- laborate with the community and a wide range of stakeholders to identify strategic solutions that enable us to make an even greater impact in the housing crisis. Quincy Hentzel, CEO, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce Biggest change: e biggest change the Portland Regional Chamber experienced was reevaluating our priorities and putting a keen focus on our racial equity efforts. Alongside stakeholders and partners, we under- went a business community-wide strategic plan to determine how, as employers, we can support DEI and racial equity efforts, while creating a community that is welcoming for all. It was an immense but necessary undertaking. Goal: Our primary goal for this next year is to determine where our com- munity is after enduring a multi-year global pandemic and ensuring we provide the needed resources and support to our region to encourage growth and prosperity. Marie Hansen, dean of the College of Business and New England School of Communications, Husson University Biggest change: In August 2021, Husson University opened Harold Alfond Hall, the new home of the College of Business. e $17.2 mil- lion building would not have been possible without a $4 million match- ing gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation and philanthropic gifts from alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, students, family members and friends of the university. Goal: Enrollment growth in an era of declining demographics among traditional college-age students. is emphasis will include focus- ing on an increase in the number of students pursuing technology- based degrees, corporate partner- ships and projects in the iEX Center based on funding from the Harold Alfond Foundation for the School of Technology and Innovation. Additionally, finding other new degrees (like our new B.S. in conser- vation law) and credential pathways (such as certificates in leadership and DEI) for students and partners in order to promote a pipeline for workers who will meet the needs of the Maine economy. The need for affordable housing has never been more urgent. — Rebecca Hatfield Avesta Housing

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