As the Foundation accepts applications for the fourth cohort of the John T. Gorman Fellowship, it held a virtual information session where four alumni offered their perspectives on how the program has shaped their work and took questions from prospective applicants. The info session also included an overview of the program by Foundation President & CEO Tony Cipollone and instructions on the applications process.
Still thinking about whether to apply? Further down, several more alumni shared their thoughts on what many called a “transformative” experience.
The deadline for applications is September 8, 2021. Find more information here.
July 20 Information Session
Alumni Testimonials
Angela Atkinson Duina
Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
University of Southern Maine
Liz Cotter Schlax
President & CEO
United Way of Southern Maine
Dan Coyne
Senior Vice President, Community Impact
United Way of Southern Maine
Gail Cressey
Director of Strategic Interventions
Portland Public Schools
“The John T. Gorman Fellowship provided me with a unique opportunity to learn with leaders across Maine from various sectors who are dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable Mainers. It deepened my understanding of myself as a leader and provided me with tools to collaborate, communicate, and commit to a result of having all students in Portland be successful in school. It was an invaluable opportunity and I continue to practice the skills and deepen the mindset I learned during my fellowship.”
Kim Gustafson
Scholarship Director
Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute
Kara Hay
President & CEO
Penquis
“The Fellowship has had a profound impact on how we approach our work, from strategic planning to collaborative relationships to program development. We are now in the best position possible to effect positive change for Maine families and communities. We have already begun to see results and believe that the ability to support healthy children, strong families and vibrant communities across Maine will increase significantly as more leaders become John T. Gorman Fellows.”
Thomas Kivler
CCS, Director of Division of Behavioral Health
Mid Coast Hospital
“The number of tools inside the Fellowship ‘tool box’ is amazing. These are tools that I continue to use and have made such a difference in my work. They have allowed me to build connections across my entire community and find new opportunities for any number of issues I am working on (youth suicide, adolescent substance use, early childhood). I feel that this larger playing field is crucial as I work to face the challenges to come in delivering behavioral health services in Maine.”
James Martin
Vice President of Programs
Sweetser
“I learned practical tools and skills that have helped me move the needle on my program outcomes. I can’t say enough about how appreciative I am to have had the opportunity to improve my abilities and to make a difference in the lives of Maine families!”
Jaye Martin
Executive Director
Legal Services for the Elderly
“The value of participating in the John T. Gorman Fellowship program simply can’t be overstated. It is rigorous and relevant to the challenges leaders face in their day-to-day work.”
Jason Parent
Executive Director
Aroostook County Action Program
“The Fellowship is transformative, not only to you as a professional – but to your organization as well. I have a whole new perspective, a powerful new tool belt and a statewide network of colleagues to move positive results for the most vulnerable people of northernmost Maine and our state.”
Janet Smith
Regional Manager
New Ventures Maine
“The work we did and continue to do together, including ongoing coaching, has shifted my thinking from focusing on programs to focusing on results. I continually use the knowledge, skills, and tools with partners and colleagues as we strive to make a greater impact for Maine individuals and families.”
Shawn Yardley
President & CEO
Community Concepts
“The John T. Gorman Fellowship afforded me the opportunity to work closely with respected colleagues across Maine, posed in their own organizations to meaningfully ‘move the needle’ on issues of poverty and advance opportunities for meaningful and sustainable change through the framework of Results Based Accountability.”