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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 6 We're attorneys. But we're people fi rst. Meet Kate. An accomplished lobbyist and election law attorney, Kate had only 17 days to help lead the Maine Democratic Party through an unprecedented nomination process with no playbook to choose a new US Senate candidate, resulting in a transparent, legally sound path forward. bernsteinshur.com Katherine Knox Shareholder From the Publisher I am beyond excited to reveal our 2026 class of Mainebiz Outstanding Women in Business. ese women are all successful business leaders, and we're pleased to share their stories with you. While Dottie Chalmers Cutter has certainly had success as a co-owner of her family's fourth-generation insurance company, she has found passion in men- toring and teaching emerging leaders, particularly women, at the company. She is also helping to raise the profile of other businesses in Maine through her podcast, "e Community Cast." As president and CEO of the University of Southern Maine Foundation, Corey Hascall has been instrumental in back-to-back record fundraising years which helped complete the McGoldrick Center and the Crewe Center, both on USM's Portland campus. Debora Keller, executive director of Bath Housing, understands the intersection of housing and economic development. Nowhere is that more evident than her role in the 84-unit project, now underway with Bath Iron Works and Developers Collaborative, and in the development of other multifamily properties that will add much-needed workforce housing. When Becky Shepherd moved Wild Oats from its Maine Street Brunswick location in the Tontine Mall to the Brunswick Landing amid the pandemic, no one could have envisioned the landmark that this anchor tenant would provide. Now a friendly gathering space, Wild Oats helped secure the stability of the base as it transitioned from the naval air station into an eco- nomic center of Brunswick. e annual Christmas Prelude celebration is a vital economic event that helps sustain businesses in the tourist-heavy town of Kennebunkport. As ordinances jeopar- dized town funding, Nonantum Resort general manager Tina Hewett- Gordon stepped in to volunteer her time, rally the commu- nity, and coordinate fundraising which ultimately saved the event and earned attention for the town on "Good Morning America." Patrisha McLean drew on her own experience as an abuse survivor when she started the nonprofit Finding Our Voices. Patrisha has drawn the support of unlikely partners, such as dentists, to provide women leaving domestic violence a peer-to-peer support system ensuring survivors are set up for success. e connecting thread with all these women is community — in their own way, each is contribut- ing to and making their communities better through their work and their passion. I hope you'll join us as we celebrate each of them at Halo at ompson's Point on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Andrea Tetzlaff atetzlaff@mainebiz.biz Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from July 1–31. 1. Windham project will offer 172 units for middle-income households 2. Hannaford wraps up Gray store revamp with more space, offerings 3. Former call center in Portland to be converted for indoor soccer training 4. Two established Portland businesses expanding with downtown moves 5. Roux Institute is rising along Portland's waterfront 6. With abundant meeting space, Portland church listed for $2.45M 7. 130-room hotel under construction in busy Portland district 8. UMaine's new aquaculture center set to open later this summer 9. Aroostook County forest products manufacturer to expand with new construction 10. Longtime leader of Bangor Savings Bank to step down at end of August P ROV I D E D P H O T O 1 The connecting thread with the Outstanding Women in Business is community — in their own way, each is contributing to and making their communities better through their work and their passion. Introducing the 2026 Mainebiz Outstanding Women in Business

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