Board and Staff

Emily is a Compliance Manager at First National Bank in Damariscotta. She lives in Maine with her husband and children. She is a parent of a transgender elementary school child.

Advocacy is Melissa’s passion. As a retired public defender, organizer, nonprofit professional, and faith leader, Melissa is the current Vice President of Operations at the Capital District YMCA in Albany, New York. A past resident of Maine, Melissa’s career has been steeped in providing a voice to those who often cannot speak or argue for themselves. Melissa has been in the YMCA movement for the past eleven years, where she serves on the Y’s national LGBTQ+ Resource Network. Melissa resides with her wife, Lori, in New York.

Jess brings with her a passion for teaching and learning and decades of experience working with youth. She lives in Maine with her husband and son.

Rev. Patty Fox is the Associate Minister at the First Congregational Church of Camden and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. As a chaplain for the Presbyterian Church, she worked with survivors of domestic violence and people living with HIV/AIDS. She and her wife Lisanne have two adult children whom they adopted at birth and live in Midcoast Maine with their four-legged family members: Daisy, Percy, and River.

Alli is the founder and owner of OurShelves, a diverse kids’ book box service and advocacy effort she started because of how hard it can be to find high-quality — and fun! — children’s books affirming LGBTQ+ families like hers and so many others. Before OurShelves, Alli worked as an attorney, policy advocate, and community organizer focused on a wide variety of social justice issues, including serving as President of the MD ACLU during that state’s marriage equality victory. Alli lives with her two kids in Cumberland, Maine.

Matt is a queer/trans farmer and land worker in Midcoast Maine. A 2022 Bowdoin College graduate, he’s overseen Erickson Fields Teen Ag Internship, worked with the Sunrise Movement and various voting rights organizations, and participates in Out in the Open’s Community Safety Network Fellowship. He is passionate about regenerative agriculture, restorative justice, and building LGBTQ community in rural areas. When he’s not in the field, you can find Matt in the ocean, on a trail, or at a local contra dance!

Ari is a second-generation Registered Maine Guide and State of Maine marine biologist. A member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Ari enjoys connecting members of this community with nature by practicing ancestral skills and learning to track wildlife in the winter. Ari is passionate about helping people of all backgrounds find their growth edge in the wilderness and maintains a Wildness First Responder certification. Ari is often found with her eyes to the skies, looking for birds, and never turns down a good Americano.

Rev. Benjamin Perry is a writer, editor, and queer theologian. He is the author of Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter and the editor of several queer theology projects, including the Queer Faith Stories exhibit that now tours Maine. They live in a small commune in Camden, attempting to nurture a fledgling apple orchard.

Karen is a lifelong educator of all ages. She works with districts and schools to establish positive, inclusive, equitable, and effective learning environments where everyone can succeed and experience belonging. Her role with Maine PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), Northeast PBIS, and the Center on PBIS connects her to state, regional, and national networks aiming to improve school climates and student outcomes. Karen lives in southern Maine and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. 

Racheal works as the outreach coordinator for the Bridgton Public Library in the Lakes Region of Maine. Community engagement and volunteering are two of her biggest passions, alongside her love of reading and literacy.  As a member of the Maine Student Book Awards she is always looking to highlight books that reflect a diverse audience, letting youth readers enjoy stories that can be both mirrors and doors.  She resides in western Maine with her two animals and definitely not too many houseplants.

Christina has been a Nurse Practitioner for 17 years. She is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Maine Family Planning in Fort Kent and Presque Isle, faculty at UMO, and adjunct faculty at UMFK. She received her Masters in Nursing from Boston College in 2006 and worked at a major Boston hospital. She resides in Fort Kent with her husband, 2 young sons, and Cooper the cat.

Cynthia Turcotte is a former high school teacher for over 20 years and GSA adviser for ten. She has worked with and supported LGBTQ+ youth throughout her teaching career. She loved volunteering at the Rainbow Ball for many years. Since leaving teaching, she has been working with her husband, Tom Fair, at the business they run called Applewald Farm. Applewald Farm is a produce farm/apple orchard/cider mill/bakery/gift shop, which keeps them busy. They are helped at the farm by their two grown sons, one of whom is part of the LGBTQ+ family.

sue@outmaine.org

katie@outmaine.org

Katie is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education and has been teaching health and physical education in Maine for the past 14 years. Katie has experience working with the teacher’s union, administration, and school board on creating and implementing policy. She brings enthusiasm, energy, and years of experience working with students and adults to encourage and support change. Katie lives in Maine with her wife, 3 dogs: Tilley, Fivel, Charlie, and 2 cats: Jetta and Fiyero.

rachel@outmaine.org

Rachel is a 2005 graduate of the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Business Administration. Rachel brings her experience in website development, marketing, and event planning to the team. She also has experience in non-profit operations and fundraising through her 15 years of volunteer work at a fully volunteer-run community radio station.

tara@outmaine.org

Tara graduated from Bowdoin College in 2000 with an Environmental Studies and Sociology degree. She has spent her adult career exploring diverse interests, moving from public health policy research into the pastry arts and hospitality entrepreneurship to, most recently, the legal field. In every venture, she has found ways to use her position to advocate for underserved populations, create more welcoming and inclusive environments, and use personal connections and outreach to build community. She is thrilled to now bring those passions to OUT Maine. Tara is an avid birder, has a long list of loves including hiking, skiing, camping, travel, writing, yoga, attending musical theater, reading, and cooking, and does everything in her power to stay close to the ocean. She lives in Midcoast Maine with her two teenage sons and two rescue dogs.

aiden@outmaine.org

Aiden grew up in Maine; transitioned from female to male in high school; and graduated with a Masters of Social Work in 2019 from the University of Southern Maine. Aiden has over seven years of diverse experience working with both at-risk youth and families. Aiden brings his experience as a clinician, along with his personal transitioning  journey, to help OUT educate, support and uplift LGBTQ+ youth across Maine. 

cassie@outmaine.org

maggie@outmaine.org

Maggie graduated from the University of Virginia in 2020 where she double majored in Youth & Social Innovation and Public Policy. Since moving to Rockland, Maggie has worked within a variety of community spaces as well as directly with youth, including previously serving as the Community Engagement Americorps Fellow at Rockland Main St., the After School Coordinator at South School Elementary, and the Hub Manager at the Camden International Film Festival. Throughout her time in Rockland, Maggie has focused on building community and creating connections among different institutions and individuals, and is looking forward to continuing to do so with youth at OUT Maine. She also recently completed a boat building apprenticeship at the Apprenticeshop, played in the local co-ed softball league (which won the championship this year! Go Redwings!), and likes to drink too much coffee at local coffee shops or rollerblade around town. 

jamie@outmaine.org

Jamie has spent most of his life in the Midcoast Maine region, and after several moves and trips around North America, came back to roost and serve his community. He comes to OUT Maine bringing his experience with technology, communications, and grant-funded program management. Before settling in Rockland, Jamie served as the program manager for Waldo CAP’s Transportation Support Program where he provided services to adults with disabilities, the elderly, and low-income families. Jamie is a lifelong learner, advocate for the arts, and community activist. Outside of work he can typically be found playing video games or reading comic books with his cats, Nugget and Bubba.

maura@outmaine.org

Maura graduated with a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychological Services in 2019 from Salem State University in Massachusetts. Maura has recently worked as a mental health counselor with at-risk children, adolescents, and adults in Southern Maine. She enjoys working with children and adolescents and brings experience working with families to foster healthy and positive relationships. Maura uses her mental health expertise to support and help LGBTQ+ youth and parents learn to thrive. Outside of work, you can find Maura working on a craft project, exploring Maine, or spending time with her husband & their pets.