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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 16 – 2 0 17 Strategies for the future include continued outreach to stakeholders and policymakers. "We need to continue to tell the story of our successes," Eves says. "Beyond that, I see my role as continuing to grow the support we have enjoyed from community leaders and businesses in the area, and expand that regionally—not just in Cumberland and York counties, but through strategic growth elsewhere, such as central Maine." n Heather Davis will start at LearningWorks, in Portland, in September. She succeeds interim executive director Shenna Bellows, an activist, Maine state Senate candidate and former non- profi t executive director, who fi lled in for the former director, Ethan Strimling, last December after Strimling was elected Portland mayor. Established in 1967, LearningWorks provides learning opportunities for at-risk youth, the immi- grant community, and low-income families. Davis, originally from Easton, Md., arrived via her interest in education and nonprofi ts. In New York City, she taught writing at e Harlem Children's Zone, dedicated to poverty- stricken children and families and one of the city's largest nonprofi ts. " ey were doing revolutionary things that were having a big impact. at made a huge impression on me, that in the nonprofi t sector that you can make real changes," Davis recalls. She later started a nonprofi t children's writing center in Austin, Texas. In 2007, with a newborn, Davis and her husband moved to Portland to be closer to family. She joined e Telling Room, becoming ED in 2011. She was attracted to LearningWorks for its broader impact. "I was looking for a new challenge in my career," Davis says. Nonprofi ts like these are essential as schools become increasingly cash-strapped. "We have kids who are homeless and have all sorts of emotional and social issues that need to be addressed before we can get to the learning piece," she says. "Nonprofi ts have been able to fi ll those gaps." n At Coastal Enterprises Inc., founding CEO and President Ron Phillips was succeeded on May 16 by Betsy Biemann, coming on as CEO, with Keith Bisson, who was promoted from senior vice presi- dent to president. Under 38 years of Phillips' leadership, CEI was one of the most successful rural development organizations in the United States. In a press release, Phillips noted CEI's work depends on relationships—with fi nancial institutions, foundations, govern- ment agencies, and social and impact investors. He cited Biemann's leadership and extensive connections as vital to CEI's growth and impact, along with Bisson's years of experience at CEI and in community development locally and nationally. During the last two years, Biemann led the "Growing Maine's Food Industry, Growing Maine," a project of Harvard University's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. From 2005- 2012, she was president of the Maine Technology Institute. Previously she was associate director at e Rockefeller Foundation in New York City, focused on employment in low-income communities, and worked in international development. She served on CEI's board of directors before stepping down in 2015. "A leadership transition like this is a great opportunity to look at our past successes and ask how we can leverage our knowledge and capital to do even more," Biemann says. Like other leaders, Biemann sees continuing challenges, but also new tools. "Unfortunately, the challenges of poverty, of social justice, are still with us," she says. "But the tools to address them are evolving." at includes new market-based models, such as CEI Notes, which channel investment to rural communities with an expectation not only of fi nancial return but also social or environmental returns. " e dif- ferences between businesses and nonprofi ts are becoming less stark," Biemann says. "It's an excit- ing time to be working in the nonprofi t sector." LaUrie Schreiber, a writer based in Bass Harbor, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e D i t o r ia l @ m a i n e b i Z . b i Z Seven Congress Square, Por tland, Maine 04101 (207) 775-6148 PortlandMuseum.org The best place for creative and inspiring gifts. Beautiful Books • Home Goods • Jewelry Stationery • Children's Books and Activities PRESEN T ING SP ONSOR Has your company seen tremendous growth over the past three years? If yes, Mainebiz wants to hear from you. We are NOW accepting this year's nominations for the top 3 Fastest Growing Companies in Maine! All applicants will be considered all in the categories of small, medium, or large businesses and must have revenue* of at least $350,000 in each year. Nominations open now! FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #MBFast16 NOMINATIONS CLOSE: October 7 Go to mainebiz.biz/Fast16 For more information contact Rebekah Roy at rroy@mainebiz.biz. * No financial information will be printed and all will be kept confidential. Actual revenue amounts will not be published. Keith Bisson Heather Davis Betsy Biemann

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