Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 6 , 2 0 2 5 26 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 AWA R D Best way to recharge: Explore Maine and Portland with my wife and hang out with our cat. Maine's biggest challenge: Maine's biggest challenges are the age of our population and our housing shortage. We desperately need to build more housing, all types, throughout the state. I believe that Maine will become a destination, if current climate trends continue and we need to be prepared. Dinner party guests: Mark Twain — he was such an influential author in my childhood and middle school. I loved "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and distinctly remember the Wishbone ver- sion on PBS. Captain Francis Crozier — an Irish officer of the Royal Navy and captain of the HMS Terror during an expedition in the Arctic to find the Northwest Passage. Their crew got stuck in the ice and disappeared. I would love to hear his story. Rosalie Howes — I lost my mother Rosalie when I was 17 and I would love to see her again and talk about my life and let her know how much she did for me. Recognizing the economic power of workplace culture Katie Jones, 35 CEO, Nimble Group Greatest achievement: Transforming Nimble Group into a Certified B Corporation and expanding our HR events into a nationally recognized brand — all while protecting the small-but- mighty team culture and work-life bal- ance I'm proud of. We've proven you can grow without losing your soul, and that HR done right isn't paperwork — it's the strategy that keeps Maine's best talent here. Passion project: Empowering young leaders. I've served as an advisor for the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute, a big sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters and on the alumnae advisory council for Pi Beta Phi's West Virginia Alpha chapter — each focused on helping the next generation build skills, resources and networks to thrive. Lightbulb moment: Realizing HR events could be more than compliance lectures or cookie-cutter networking — they could be immersive experiences that connect, inspire and equip leaders to make better decisions about their people. Workplace culture isn't just a perk, it's an economic driver that shapes retention, growth and innovation. Influential book: "The Art of Gathering," by Priya Parker Favorite TV shows: "Gilmore Girls" and "Succession" Personal hero: My mother, a working single mom of three girls who never graduated from college, but climbed the corporate ladder and built a life through grit, resourcefulness and showing up for people without fanfare. She taught me that resilience isn't loud; it's steady, relentless and deeply human. Favorite quote: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Ralph Waldo Emerson Best way to recharge: I host themed gather- ings with friends and family. I also do puzzles, card games and explore Maine's coast — curating memories for my 2-year-old daughter. My favorite moments are when laughter is loud, phones are down and no one's in a rush to leave. Maine's biggest challenge: Balancing economic growth with preserving Maine's character and natural beauty. Key to that is attracting and retaining young, diverse talent and tackling housing affordability. The future belongs to the places that can welcome newcomers without losing their roots and workforce strategy is a critical part of that equation. Dinner party guests: Ina Garten, for the magic of a warm welcome and a perfect roast chicken. Andy Warhol, to discuss art, culture and why ordinary moments matter. Nellie Bly for her daring spirit, investigative grit and the kind of story- telling that could keep us laughing and learning Showing a commitment to advanced knowledge Jillian LaFrance, 37 Remote adjunct forensic psychology professor, South College, and intensive case manager, Maine Department of Health and Human Services Greatest achievement: Earning my PhD in forensic psychol- ogy is my greatest achieve- ment because it represents years of rigorous study, research, and perseverance in a highly specialized and demanding field. It reflects my commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersec- tion of psychology and the legal system. Passion project: Breaking the stigma around mental health is my passion project because I believe open, honest conversations can change lives. I'm dedicated to creating spaces where people feel safe to share their experi- ences and seek help without shame. Lightbulb moment: Coming to terms with my own mental health diag- nosis was a lightbulb moment because it gave me clarity about what I was experienc- ing and helped me under- stand myself in a new way. It allowed me to approach my well-being with more compassion, and it helps me better understand and connect with my clients on a deeper, more empathetic level. Influential book: "The Shack," by William Paul Young Favorite movie: The original "Nightmare on Elm Street" Personal hero: My grandmother, Gloria Guimond Favorite quote: "The most merciful thing in the world is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents" — H.P. Lovecraft Best way to recharge: Travel and exercise. Maine's biggest challenge: Homeless- ness and affordable housing are Maine's biggest challenges because housing costs have risen much faster than wages, espe- cially in popular coastal and tourist areas. There's a shortage of rental units state- wide, and many homes are being bought as vacation properties or short-term rent- als. Combined with a lack of shelter space and support services, this leaves many people, especially low-income workers, seniors, and people with disabilities, struggling to find stable housing. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E My favorite moments are when laughter is loud, phones are down and no one's in a rush to leave. — Katie Jones Nimble Group

• Cover