Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute Celebrates Promotion and New Hires
The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute has promoted Carolyne Obery to Development Manager and welcomed two new hires: Lexie Richins, Program Specialist, and Laura Chandler, Administrative Specialist.
The promotion and addition of staff members will help the Institute better serve 555 Olympia’s Leaders (OLs)—program participants, 222 Olympia’s Leaders Advisors (OLAs)—business and community leaders serving as their mentors, and 37 School Contacts as they navigate the “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision” (12th grade) program raising the confidence, aspirations, and leadership skills of high school girls across Maine. The team also designs and delivers programming for more than 700 alumni, 60% of whom are currently pursuing post-secondary education on Maine college campuses.
“When I first envisioned the Institute’s program, I had no doubt it would grow, because its mission should call to every woman in Maine and everyone who supports us. What once started with 45 Olympia’s Leaders in Androscoggin County has spread to 555 Olympia’s Leaders statewide, becoming a network that builds upon itself each year. With the help of Carolyne, Lexie, and Laura, we can continue to deliver on our promise to raise the confidence and aspirations of the next generation—and I am profoundly grateful that they have joined our efforts.”
Olympia Snowe, Founder and Former U.S. Senator
“It is with great excitement that we welcome Lexie and Laura to the Institute team, so we may best serve our constituents and continue to grow our organization’s offerings. We are also proud to promote a young woman leader from within by naming Carolyne our new Development Manager. The Institute’s development efforts are significant and rise annually, so we appreciate her work to help keep the Institute’s offerings both available and at no cost to Olympia’s Leaders or their schools.”
Christina McAnuff, Executive Director
Obery will manage and support development efforts to raise funds to maintain and grow operations and program offerings, as every dollar spent by the Institute is sourced through corporate, individual, or foundation gifts to keep the program at no cost to students and schools.
Obery formerly served in part-time roles at the Institute as Development & Communications Specialist and Staff Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and resides in South Portland with her husband.
“I have been very fortunate to receive support and encouragement from strong women throughout my life, so it is truly my honor to work for an organization that provides skill-building and mentorship to other Maine women. I am thrilled to be joining the Institute full-time to help further Senator Snowe’s vision of strengthening our state’s future leaders.”
Carolyne Obery, Development Manager
Richins will be the primary contact for student participants, delivering the Institute’s online curriculum and grading as OLs work to receive college credit. Because the program expanded from 45 students to 555 per year and accredited its curriculum through Eastern Maine Community College, the need developed for a dedicated staff person to manage the Institute’s students and their coursework. Richins will also use her experience in leadership training and coaching to provide further support to OLs and alumni.
Richins comes to the Institute from Utah State University–where she served in various leadership development positions, most recently as a Training Specialist in the Human Resources department serving 10,000 employees and 27,000 students. Richins holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Public Relations and Communications from Utah State University and resides in Gorham with her husband and daughter.
“There is something unique about every person, and I love learning their talents and fostering their growth and rising potential. When I found the Institute, I was unbelievably excited to work with such young and bright leaders. I knew I wanted to be part of their journeys, and I am thrilled to provide Olympia’s Leaders with support and new resources to help develop them into the leaders they want to be.”
Lexie Richins, Program Specialist
Chandler will be serving in a part-time role as Administrative Specialist to help the Institute best deliver on its mission. Her work will be focused on development, communications, event preparation, and staff support.
Chandler previously worked as a full-time parent and an Executive Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, and Annual Fund Assistant at various universities and nonprofit institutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Northwestern University and resides with her husband and two children in Portland.
“Though I ventured to the Midwest at the start of my adult life, I was overjoyed to return home to Maine and raise my two girls here. It is an honor to join an organization dedicated to uplifting high school girls across the state. Each day with the Institute, I find myself inspired.”
Laura Chandler, Administrative Specialist
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About the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute
The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills required to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. The Institute was founded by Senator Olympia J. Snowe in 2015 to address the decreasing confidence levels of young women in Maine. For more information, visit http://www.snoweleadershipinstitute.org/.