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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X X I I O C T O B E R 3 , 2 0 2 2 16 Growing a regional chamber's membership and financial position B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Katie Doherty, 34 President and CEO, Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Significant professional accom- plishment: Being the youngest and first female president and CEO of the chamber at 29 years old. I had been work- ing for the chamber for a little over a year as the program director when the board approached me for the position of president and CEO. It was a ver y humbling and honoring time, a n d i t w a s a n oppor tunity that I couldn't pass up. I work hard every day to continue to show my board, staff, members and commu- nity that I am honored to be in this position and serve the region. Recently my team and I have been able to take the chamber to the next level and grow our membership and financial position. We continue to evaluate and adjust our programs and events to update and improve to meet the ever-changing needs of our members. Passion project: I am involved in many boards and committees in our community. I like to give back my time and support them in any way I can to help better our region as a whole. It's all about supporting each other and collaboration. Favorite quote: "You've always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." — Glinda, the Good Witch Influential book: "Making Remarkable: How to deliver purpose, inspire people and build a platform for excep- tional results," by Adam Legge Favorite movie: "The Wizard of Oz" How do you recharge: "Me time" or time with my family, husband Chris, daughter Scarlett, 2, and son Grayson, 5 months old. My job is very on-the-go and lots of meetings with tons of people and sometimes I just need quiet time to relax with myself or my family. A law partner is also 'unofficial ambassador' to Moosehead Lake region B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Allison Economy, 39 Attorney, Rudman Winchell Significant professional accomplishment: Making partner at Rudman Winchell and then being elected to the firm's management committee, where I help to make business decisions for one of the largest firms north of Portland. Passion project: Being an unofficial ambassador to the Moosehead Lake region through my service on the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Forest Society of Maine and the Maine Highlands, as well as spend- ing just about every weekend in Greenville, either on the water or on the slopes. We've got a second home in Greenville, and we are there every single weekend. I really, really love going up there. Bringing people up from Bangor is great. Whatever it is — hiking, boating, snowboarding, going out to eat — it's a four-season destination. We went up to visit the first time and I said, "I want to live here." We don't live there [full-time], but it's close to Bangor and we're up there as much as possible. Audacious goal: Snowboard- ing in the Dolomites in Italy. Favorite quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."—Wayne Gretzky Influential book: "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini Favorite show: "The Office" How do you recharge: By daydreaming about my next travel adventure. Business financing role helps to grow community B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Amberlynn Esperanza, 31 Commercial lending development officer, Mascoma Bank Significant professional accomplish- ment: Most recently, becoming a commercial lending development officer. I always enjoyed work- ing with people and helping them achieve their goals. In my role, the busi- ness financing I'm able to provide will help Maine's busi- ness community and the Maine community at large to grow and pros- per. I'm able to work with developers and investors to build housing, meet with busi- ness owners to help make their dreams a reality, create job opportunities, upgrade neigh- borhoods, further green initia- tives and much more. Passion project: Three main initia- tives: empowering the next genera- tion of business leaders and young professionals through my work with PROPEL, serving our business com- munity so more companies can thrive and enrich Maine's economy through my work at Mascoma Bank, and lifting the underserved and immigrant community by support- ing programs to better the lives of all through the Greater Port- land Immigrant Welcome Center. I also devote time to the United Way of South- ern Maine's Campaign Cab- inet and the University of Southern Maine's Women in Leadership Event series. I was selected as a member of Leadership Portland's 2021-22 class. Audacious goal: To present my own Ted Talk in 10 years. I have been watching Ted Talk Conferences on YouTube since college. Favorite quote: "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!"—Henry Ford Influential book: "What to say when you talk to yourself," by Shad Helmstetter, taught me the realization that the story you tell yourself is the reality you manifest into real life. Favorite TV show: "The Office." Inside jokes with fel- low fans is the best! How do you recharge: I naturally wake up around 5 a.m. Three days a week, I see my personal trainer, topped off with the sauna. At 29, Katie Doherty became the youngest and first female president and CEO of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce. As a commercial lending development officer, Amberlynn Esperanza enjoys helping Maine's business community and the community at large. Allison Economy says a significant professional accomplishment was making partner at Rudman Winchell. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 8 » P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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