Raised in Winslow, Maine, Addiction Medicine specialist Dr. Nick Gallagher is the latest in a long line of family members to provide care for his community. He began his employment with the local hospital when he was a teenager, scrubbing floors and emptying trash cans, as a member of the environmental services team. After working his way through the University of Maine at Augusta, Nick went on to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. During his emergency medicine training, Nick saw firsthand the devastating impact of substance use disorder (SUD). T ..read more

Coffee by Design owner and co-founder Mary Allen Lindemann is a pioneering force in the coffee industry, and a longstanding supporter of arts and community in Maine.  Her deep connection to the state dates back to 1971, when her family first began summering on Chebeague Island in Casco Bay. Mary Allen would go on to pursue fashion marketing and advertising, before a chance intersection with Seattle’s specialty coffee scene seeded her desire to focus on what would become her life’s work. Portland-based Coffee By Design has flourished for three decades, and her leadership has shaped not onl ..read more

Emerging artist Miriam Webber found her way back to art as a means to rediscover herself after becoming a mother. Miriam has long enjoyed painting and drawing. A friend who featured Miriam’s work at her local business catalyzed Miriam’s shift toward sharing her art publicly, and the subsequent sell-out show affirmed Miriam’s artistic path. Currently balancing her role as a mother and work as a hairstylist with her artistic pursuits, Miriam actively involves her son in her creative process. This collaboration has influenced her artwork, yielding imaginative pieces such as "Fruit Solar System ..read more

Dr. David Salko is a family physician and medical leader dedicated to community health. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dave completed his family medicine residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He and his wife, Jen, have four active children, whose interests range from ice hockey to art. Passionate about teaching, Dave mentors the next generation of health practitioners at the Topsham practice where he has worked since 2007. Dave is also a member of Central Maine H ..read more

Dianne Ballon is a sound artist. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Dianne originally worked with visual mediums, but became intrigued by the creative possibilities of audio elements, and soon changed her focus to sound. Her current exhibit at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, titled Lost and Found: Sounds of the Maine Coast by Dianne Ballon, features local soundscape essentials such as buoys and  foghorns.  Previously a member of the teaching and production staff at the University of Maine in Augusta, Dianne looks for the right locale, and the perfect circums ..read more

An experienced leader across various industries, Alex Sydnor brings a unique perspective to the healthcare sector, where he has served as a Chief Strategy Officer for more than a decade. With a background in education and the arts, Alex recognizes the pivotal role creativity plays in problem-solving. Alex emphasizes the value of cross-disciplinary ideas, and encourages a culture that embraces diverse viewpoints. He champions and practices effective group facilitation as a means of fostering communication and visioning within teams. True to his creative roots, Alex believes in the power of narr ..read more

When George Matelich began his career, he intentionally moved to the West Coast to be in the center of tech entrepreneurship. He understood the importance of spending time with others who were on the cutting edge. Drawing on this exposure, and experience as a software engineer, this former self-described “pizza-influencer,” developed invaluable insights and skills. George has used these to cultivate a tech community, Nexus Maine, that he envisions as a place for like-minded entrepreneurs to find support, collaboration, and camaraderie. George also continues to work in fintech (financial techno ..read more

Dr. Sheila Carroll is a former practicing pediatrician who is finding new joy as a certified life and weight coach. A Maine native, and graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, Sheila worked as a physician for two decades. After experiencing professional burnout and recognizing the limitations of traditional medicine, Sheila embarked on a path of personal transformation. Additional training and experience in coaching helped Sheila to solidify her understanding of the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, actions, and results. Sheila now empowers childr ..read more

Stacey Dietsch specializes in human potential. After almost two decades with a national consulting firm, Stacey became the Executive Vice President of Talent at Liberty Mutual Insurance earlier this year. Drawing upon her educational background in psychology, Stacey has developed an expansive understanding of the nuanced world of human resources over the course of her professional career. Stacey seeks to align personal motivations with organizational objectives, enhancing job satisfaction and productivity. She champions a growth mindset and emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace tha ..read more

..read more