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V O L . X X I X N O. X I X 62 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine In terms of FocusMaine in general, I learned so much from the board and from the founders about the impor- tance of sustained focus in order to get to impact quickly. I see FocusMaine and the Island Institute as pieces of the same puzzle. Both organizations are focused on creating more oppor- tunities for the people of Maine. e two organizations come at this through opposite ends of the telescope. FocusMaine focuses on specific sectors as pathways to economic growth. e Island Institute looks at how commu- nities can take advantage of those same economic development pathways and also cultivate the next generation of leaders who can take that wheel. MB: Broadly speaking, what are the challenges for Maine's island and coastal communities? KH: We know that Maine's coast is a dynamic place. At this particular moment, I would say, the elements of change feel particularly daunting, from the Gulf of Maine's warming water to the future of the lobster industry to the cost of housing and health care for our rural communi- ties. As I look at my role is over the near term with the Island Institute, my top priority right now is to listen. Because the challenges are so multi- faceted, I want to understand from the communities themselves what their vision is for the Maine coast. MB: How will you carry out your listening tour? KH: Over the next six months, my intention it is to visit all of the year- round island communities and those places where we are making sig- nificant investments. Even though I grew up on the Maine coast, there are many places I haven't been. I don't want to make assumptions. I want to make sure I hear from those communities and leaders directly – and especially from young people who will carry our work forward. MB: What are the institute's top priorities? KH: Our programs include Climate and Community, the Marine Economy and Sustainable Communities. Within our climate program, we're helping communities with clean energy transitions and helping people understand the sci- ence behind the warming Gulf of Maine. Our marine economy efforts are focused on helping lobstering communities diversify and include protecting the working waterfront and supporting new aquacultural- ists. e Island Institute Fellows program remains the cornerstone of our sustainable communities effort. Together, these programs play an important role in helping coastal communities adapt and thrive. MB: What are your thoughts on the institute's future direction? KH: A 40-year history is significant. It tells me that we have the com- munity relationships that we need and deep experience working along the coast. I like to say that we're built for the challenges the coast is facing in this particular moment and that we can adapt as communities and the coast evolve. I couldn't be more excited to be in this role, in this orga- nization, at this important time for Maine's coast. BUSINESS ADVICE FINANCING POLICY ADVOCACY You have big ideas. Our business experts and lenders have advice and capital to help you succeed. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable and more just future - one Maine business at a time. www.ceimaine.org » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 6 0 We have the community relationships that we need and deep experience working along the coast.

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