The opening session of the Midcoast Leadership Academy, MLA LEAP (Leadership Experiences, Activities & Practices), was held September 21st and 22nd at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast. This year's class consists of leaders from Knox and Waldo County who will spend the next nine months learning leadership skills, the issues facing the midcoast region, and working with three nonprofits on year-long regional projects.
Participating this year are: Marydale Abernathy, Bangor Daily News; Christine Anderson-Morehouse, Midcoast Superintendent's Professional Development Center; Jeff Charland, Camden National Bank; Rob Dietz, PICA Design & Marketing; Erica Hughes, UMaine Hutchinson Center; Patty Kitchen, Picker Family Resource Center; Diane Laliberte, Unity College; Michael Leonard, GreenME, Inc.; Chris Lobley, Bangor Savings Bank; Katie MacDonald, Dear Pauline + Ninefifteen Enterprises; Marina Macho, Durango Business Support; Sarah McLean, Global Packing & Shipping; Kathryn Snow Mills, Snow Sport & Spine Inc.; Stacey Palmer, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors; Ian Robertson, New Leaf Construction; Kimberly Scott, Camden Conference; Megan Williams, PenBay Healthcare.
Throughout the next several months, these leaders will learn about the issues facing the midcoast region through a series of experiences, tours, speakers and projects with Five Town Communities That Care, local Main Street programs, and Midcoast Magnet.
MLA started in 2006 and is run through the University of Maineís Hutchinson Center in Belfast. Modeled after successful community leadership programs held throughout the country, MLA was created as an initiative by a group of regional and statewide leaders led by Jim Patterson, Hutchinson Center Founding Director; state representative Chris Rector; and Cheryl Miller, Senior Program Officer of Maine Development Foundation.
Central to the founding of the program is the belief that the Midcoast is a unique region, rich with spirit, creativity, and tradition. MLA ís mission is to positively impact the economic and cultural quality of life in the Midcoast by enhancing the professional and personal development of its existing and emerging community leaders. Our distinguished guest faculty is drawn from the worlds of academia, business, government, consulting, and the non-profit sector.
Bangor Savings Bank is the Lead Sponsor of the Midcoast Leadership Academy, understanding the importance of bringing together existing and emerging leaders to enhance their leadership skills and build relationships that will help create stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities. Penbay Regional Chamber of Commerce and Unity Foundation are Supporting Sponsors.
FMI: Visit MLA Website at http://www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu/index.php/community/midcoast-leadership-academy
