The Women to Watch issue of Mainebiz is always a special occasion, and this year’s edition is no exception. The eight remarkable individuals we honor make us grateful the state has such leaders.
This is a special issue for Mainebiz every year, the Women to Watch.
Going back to 2009, Mainebiz has honored a group of women who have demonstrated leadership in every field of business, health care and the nonprofit world. Now in the 13th year, we’ve honored 63 leaders.
This year’s Women to Watch are based throughout Maine and range from CEOs to leaders of nonprofits and a chamber of commerce and even a Maine registered guide.
We dispatched a team of reporters to ask them about their professional lives and get their perspectives on business today.
One of my favorite quotes from the Q&As is from Heather Blease, co-founder and CEO of SaviLinx, a Brunswick call center that has more than 1,000 employees. She is a born entrepreneur, fearless about getting back out there after a failure.
“In each case, the idea of launching a new venture caused dread, fear and a rush of adrenaline,” she told Mainebiz.
We’re grateful to have leaders like this in Maine.
We owe a debt of gratitude as well to the founders of the Women to Watch program, former Publisher Donna Brassard, who retired earlier this year, and my predecessor as editor, Carol Coultas.
Thanks, also, to our readers for the richness and volume of nominations this year. It made the selection process more difficult but resulted in a strong field — our largest group of Women to Watch to date.
Finally, a major part of the Women to Watch program is our reception for the honorees. Last year’s event was done via Zoom. Fingers crossed, on Sept. 16, we’ll host a live event, outside, at the Halo at the Point at Thompson’s Point. We hope to see you there.
