Mainebiz

ygant Fossett also has had some interesting life experiences. Her early life was in Moscow during the Cold War. As a young adult, she hopped a boat, navigating the Erie Canal from Canada to Annapolis, Md., a two-week voyage. She later contributed to an archeological report and coffee table book on a Spanish galleon that sank in the Pacific in 1638. Mainebiz: You have a background in the travel industry and the Boothbay chamber. How did that background prepare you for the IFOB? CWF: As the daughter of a retired ambassador, I grew up living and travel- ing all over the world. I worked for a treasure hunter and edited several pub- lications on the recovery of a Spanish galleon. I came back to Maine and entered the travel business. Working in this industry gave me a large network of businesses and the knowledge of how to design publications like the Maine Family Business Awards program book, our website, social media, newsletters and other marketing materials. During my time at the Boothbay Chamber, I met the previous executive director of the IFOB and she asked me to be a judge for the 2013 MFBA awards. When she left, she asked me to apply for the position. Ten years ago, I joined the IFOB and started my first remote job with the skills and network I needed. MB: During the pandemic, you helped members navigate the PPP loan pro- cess. What were the most common challenges businesses faced? CWF: Not knowing what was com- ing next with the pandemic. Our peer groups had already been established so Institute for Family-Owned Business Portland What it is: A nonprofit set up to represent and advocate for family-owned businesses in Maine, providing mentoring, resources and an annual awards show. Employees: 2 fambusiness.org N O N P R O F I T Catherine Wygant Fossett Executive director Institute for Family-Owned Business V O L . X X X N O. X V I I A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 2 4 18 Catherine Wygant Fossett, executive director of the Institute for Family- Owned Business for more than a decade, continues to reinvent how the nonprofit operates. IFOB consistently draws more than 600 people for its annual awards dinner, and Wygant Fossett somehow manages to host more than 50 events a year, despite running with a lean staff. W IFOB runs on memberships, sponsorships and volunteers. We hope to continue to spread our membership and event engagement across the state. It's not just for the family members but also their employees. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY B Y P e t e r V a n A l l e n A tireless advocate for Maine's family-owned businesses

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