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V O L . X X I N O. V I M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 1 5 24 W hen Donna Dwyer approached the at-risk teen center located in a former Westbrook church for a job interview, the building was so run down she says she almost turned around and never returned. But an inkling that she could improve the building and its visitors propelled her through a series of job interviews. What sealed the deal, though, was the fi nal interview by 25 kids who frequented the center fi ring questions at her from their seats on a decrepit bench. She patiently answered the typical teen questions: Are you mean? Do you have a lot of rules? But one young girl took her aback, "sassy" Cassie, a 17-year-old who came from an abusive background and was homeless since age 11. She asked, "Do you have a skill set to keep the doors open so my younger brother will still be able to come?" Says Dwyer," My heart was singing after her comment and I thought, 'I must have this job.'" Dwyer told Cassie that she was good at raising money. "I told her I had a nonprofi t heart but a business mindset. I wouldn't let the kids down." Dwyer proudly pulls a large photo of Cassie from her offi ce wall. Since that day in 2011, Dwyer, the executive director of My Place Teen Center in Westbrook, has eff ected a Cinderella-like transformation to the building, whose roof was so weak a worker almost fell through it when it was being replaced. ough she still needs to raise $250,000 for new siding and insulation, the roof, fl oors and other parts of the building have been upgraded. Last year, through a grant, the mortgage was paid in full. Dwyer started her job with a $190,000 budget, which she's since tripled. She's also attracted big money, including $100,000 from Hannaford and another $100,000 matching donation from the Cornelia Warren Community Association, as well as a $325,000 grant last December from Next Generation Foundation of Westbrook, which enabled major repairs and paying off the 40-year mortgage. Idexx also has donated a van and computers, and along with Unum, cast-off offi ce furniture that created a large table for the children to work on crafts and a fully furnished computer room for homework, resumes and other studies. Second chances Since Dwyer started, says MPTC Board Member Lori Whitlock, she has acquired $200,000 in corpo- rate in-kind goods and services and pulled in more than $1.3 million in donations and grants. MPTC Changing lives Donna Dwyer rebuilds dilapidated teen center, teen lives B y L o r i V a l i g r a NONPROFIT BUSINESS LEADER Donna Dwyer Executive director, My Place Teen Center Age: 50 Favorite place outside of work: The tennis court. I'm competitive and play five or six days a week. Leadership icon: Kevin McCarthy, former president and CEO of the Unum U.S. operating unit at Unum Group. Despite his international presence, title and responsibilities, he returns phone calls to strangers and answers emails himself. He is accountable, responsible and gracious. I learned to never be too big for your britches. Maine's biggest challenge: Kindness must per- meate every facet, every lifestyle in our state. If we think in kindness, we win. If we make graceful decisions, we win. If we extend ourselves, we win. Education — go get one. Do something more. Be something more. Maine's biggest opportunity: The Maine brand. Leverage it. Market it. Then live up to it. Best business advice: Operate with a nonprofit heart and function with a corporate mindset. And be kind: more graceful decisions will prevail. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Donna Dwyer, executive director of My Place Teen Center, has raised money not only for programming but to refurbish the nonprofi t's Westbrook site.

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