Mainebiz

V O L . X X I X N O. X V I I A U G U S T 7 , 2 0 2 3 30 9a.m. – 1p.m. Hilton Garden Inn 250 Haskell Road, Bangor Be inspired by our 2023 Champion Award winners 2023 Champion of Education and Workforce Development 2023 Champion of Rural Development 2023 Kenneth M. Curtis Leadership Award (Leadership Maine) 2023 ICL Distinguished Alum Award 2023 William F. King, Jr., Downtown Champion September 27, 2023 Aspire: Unlocking the potential for Maine to thrive & prosper REGISTER NOW: MDF.ORG/2023-MDF-ANNUAL-MEETING-REGISTRATION Laurie Lachance President, Thomas College Challenge: "I have learned — once again — that workaholism and burnout are real, pervasive and extremely harmful to every aspect of your life. As female leaders, it is incumbent on all of us to be honest and open with the next genera- tion of leaders that self-care is critical and foundational to ultimate success as a leader and fulfillment as a person, and to support those in our charge to seek better balance in their work and personal lives." Goal: "To bring my very best self to my family, friends and colleagues and to lead my work with optimism and an entrepreneurial spirit. My goal is to fully embrace the simple practice of thought- fully, consistently and authentically beginning and ending each day with gratitude so that my days will be filled with optimism and joy and my nights will be filled with peaceful sleep." Mufalo Chitam Executive director, Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition Challenge: "Last year, in the midst of record numbers of asylum seekers arrivals in Maine filling shelters and hotels to capacity, I learned to value the small wins in my work and count them as progress. As Vincent van Gogh said, 'Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.'" Goal: "My 'audacious goal' for the coming year is to meet the president of the United States to discuss integration and resettlement systems for undocu- mented immigrants in America." Renee Kelly Associate vice president, University of Maine Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement 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 / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY Laurie Lachance Mufalo Chitam Renee Kelly As Mainebiz celebrates 15 years of honoring Women to Watch, we checked in with last year's honorees, asking each to share a leadership challenge or moment they learned from in the past year, and an "audacious goal" for 2023. Here's what they told us. B Y R E N E E C O R D E S B Y R E N E E C O R D E S O N T H E R E C O R D Self-care is critical and foundational to ultimate success as a leader. — Laurie Lachance Thomas College

• Cover