Mainebiz Special Editions

V O L . X X I N O. X X I I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6 8 T he Maine Development Foundation has hired a new president and CEO with long experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Yellow Light Breen took up his new duties on Aug. 10, ending a period of uncertainty at MDF that included the departures of two leaders in two years. "It's a really interesting and diverse organi- zation," Breen says. "I like to say, 'If the Maine Development Foundation didn't exist; we'd have to invent it.' It's an important catalyst and connector." Breen, of Holden, came to MDF with a varied background. From 1999 to 2003, he was director of special projects for the Maine Department of Education, where he supplied much of the plan- ning for what became the state's laptop initiative. He spent 12 years at Bangor Savings Bank, most recently as executive vice president and chief stra- tegic officer. Breen was responsible for strategic planning, community development, community relations and philanthropy and integral in guiding the bank's statewide expansion. MDF is a non-partisan nonprofit that supports economic, workforce, leadership and community development across Maine, a broad mandate cur- rently executed by a staff of only seven people, and limited resources. Breen has a great deal of experi- ence with MDF, having served on its board and also chaired Realize Maine, an ongoing MDF initia- tive that supports regional networking groups that attract, retain and support young professionals. He also served as chair of both the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education and Educate Maine. MDF, as a unique partnership of for-profit, non- profit and government entities, provides a perfect opportunity for Breen to exercise his expertise in all sectors on behalf of MDF's core work around the economy and leadership. "It might look to some like a big change, but for me it's a continuation of my personal passion for improving Maine's economy and educational oppor- tunities, and a commitment to doing that state- wide," he says. "One of the commonalties between Bangor Savings Bank and the Maine Development Foundation is their statewide reach. It's really impor- tant to me to work on behalf of the entire state." Breen is driven by his passion for educational and economic equality throughout Maine. Educational advocacy has been a constant in Breen's life. Growing up in rural Maine, he witnessed first-hand the lack of educational equality and opportunity in com- munities that struggled with poverty, where many didn't have the aspiration, or the support, to go to college. "We have a strong education system in Maine, when you look at us compared with other states," he says. "And within Maine, there's always been tremendous pockets of excellence, amazing dropout prevention pro- grams, partnerships between colleges and high schools. I think our challenge is to figure out how to spread that work, so that the pockets of excellence become the norm. at's hard. It involves figuring out how to boost the skills of thousands of teachers so every teacher is exploiting best practices, and supporting them with the right tools and professional development. At the same From the board to CEO Yellow Light Breen turbo-charges Maine Development Foundation B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Yellow Light Breen, president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation, in Portland. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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