Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1542455
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 JA N UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 "Commitment to Culture Award;" Claribel Henry and Dylan Hersey, "Dedication to Member Service Award;" Caitlyn Morgan, "Innovation Award;" and Shelley Rowe, "Empowerment Advocate Award." Camden National Bank announced the recipients of its "2025 Leaders & Luminaries Awards" includ- ing Kate Borduas, board president, Scarborough Public Library; Don House, president emeritus, Belknap House; Jordan Stanwood, board presi- dent, Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center; Kristin Valdmanis, board member, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine; and Annie Watson, board member, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. "Spotlight Awards" were also presented to Beth Ann Barrett, board chair, The Friendly Kitchen in Concord, N.H. and Penny Kittle, founder, Book Love Foundation in North Conway, N.H. Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro in Portland said it's Fragrant Coconut Soup with Tofu & Baby Bella Mushrooms earned a "Souper Vegan Award" from PETA as one of the nation's 10 best plant-pow- ered soups and stews. KidsPeace, a national nonprofit offering services in various loca- tions in Maine, announced that it has been named a "Culture Leader" by Kudos, an employee recognition, rewards and corporate culture plat- form provider. University of Maine at Augusta announced that Leigh Alley, assis- tant professor and coordinator of teacher education, was named by the Maine Children's Alliance as the 2025 recipient of the "Educator Award" at its Champions for Children Giraffe Awards. Give IT. get IT., a digital inclu- sion nonprofit in Waterville, said it earned a "2025 Top- Rated Nonprofit" designation by GreatNonprofits, a platform for community-generated nonprofit reviews and ratings. Eastern Maine Development Corp. in Bangor selected Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman as its "2025 Community Spirit Award" winner at its annual awards. Others recognized included Alison Lane, Maine Small Business Development, for her one-on-one, no cost support for small businesses; Kelly Flagg and the Associated General Contractors, "Business Partner of the Year;" Diane Dickerson and the Bangor YMCA, "Nonprofit of the Year;" and Miranda Pelkey, director of the APEX Accelerator program, "e Tom Davis Employee of the Year Award." U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was awarded the "2025 Award for Excellence in HIV/AIDS" by the Global AIDS Policy Partnership and the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership. Wright-Ryan Construction in Portland announced that the Tekakapimek Contact Station at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was named Engineering News-Record "New England Project of the Year." MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta said that it earned seven "Women's Choice Awards" for 2026 including recognition as one of "America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience," "Best Hospitals for Cancer Care," "Best Hospitals for Knee & Hip Replacement," "Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery," "Best Hospitals for Obstetrics," "Best Hospitals for Orthopedics" and "Best Hospitals for Stroke Care." SKILLS Inc., a nonprofit in St. Albans that sup- ports people with intellectual and developmen- tal disabilities, announced that Lolice Brann was named a "2025 Direct Support Professional of the Year" by the Maine Association for Community Service Providers. Looking for exciting business events? Go to mainebiz.biz/calendar to view and post events. @ REACH OUT TO US AT CIRCULATION@MAINEBIZ.BIZ FOR A QUOTE We offer discounted group subscriptions starting at 5 users. Ensure your team has all access to Mainebiz Lolice Brann