'Leading with humanity' and other insights from the Mainebiz CEO Forum
Photo / Renee Cordes
From left, Linda Varrell, of Broadreach Public Relations, was joined at the Mainebiz CEO Forum by Drew Dumsch, Kerem Durdag, Gretchen Johnson, Adam Platz, Kevin Schohl and Tabitha Swanson.
From leading with humanity to debunking “imposter syndrome,” six Maine business and nonprofit leaders shared lessons and challenges from their careers at a Mainebiz CEO Forum in South Portland on Wednesday.
The event covered “60 ideas in 60 minutes” in a panel discussion moderated by Linda Varrell, president of Broadreach Public Relations in Portland.
Representing nonprofits and industries from telecom to cannabis, the panelists engaged in a lively discussion. Around 150 people attended the morning event, held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.
Here are some highlights from the conversation.
Human-centered leadership
“Leading with humanity means connecting with the people you manage,” said Adam Platz, co-owner and CFO of JAR Cannabis Co. in Lewiston, which employs 125 people.
For leaders at the growing business, that means meeting directly with all staff members, treating them with respect, and demonstrating humility, he explained.
Similarly, at the Center for Grieving Children, Executive Director Gretchen Johnson finds the Portland nonprofit an “easy place to lead with humanity.”
Johnson does that by surrounding herself with people she trusts, knowing that “the answers are there, I don’t have to find them all by myself … and knowing when to stop talking and let them tell me what I need to hear.”
Kerem Durdag, CEO of Biddeford-based internet service provider GWI, said it’s impossible to separate personal and work life, and that leaders have a certain responsibility to be empathetic and vulnerable “in the places that we create."
Underscoring that decision-making is nuanced, Durdag referenced a Talmudic saying that if you impact one life, you impact the universe.
“You cannot do that if you’re not you,” he said.
Navigating unchartered waters
Impostor syndrome is both real and a myth, according to Johnson, who explained that feeling unprepared for something is a sign of both readiness to learn and of good leadership.
“I think that impostor syndrome is both real and also probably not as legitimate as we sometimes think it is,” she said.
Along similar lines, Drew Dumsch of the Ecology School in Saco talked about that organization’s unique offering of immersive education outside the traditional classroom environment.
“Learning happens during living,” he said.
The importance of fun
The importance of creating an atmosphere of fun and joy in the workplace also came up during the discussion.
The Swanson Group, an accounting firm in Westbrook, organizes fun for employees — from wellness activities to cook-off challenges and family events.
“We all want to enjoy each day,” Tabitha Swanson, the company's CEO, noted in her written list of ideas. “The work can be difficult and it is easier to get through if you enjoy the people you are working with.”
Kevin Schohl, president of the Portland Hearts of Pine pro soccer team set to debut in March 2025, feels the same way.
In fact, he laughed about the fact that it’s sometimes a problem getting folks in his office to be serious. He also had some fun during the panel discussion — tossing Hearts of Pine-branded scarves to audience members who found special stickers in their programs.
Referencing the team’s slogan to “lead with your heart,” he noted that good results — and good people — will follow. Schohl also admitted that he needs to remind himself to live by that slogan more often.
Other "bumper-sticker" slogans that were mentioned:
- ‘“Love really counts" (Gretchen Johnson)
- “Audacious and tenacious” (Drew Dumsch)
- “We’re all in this together” (Tabitha Swanson)
- “Five hours of sleep is enough” (Adam Platz)
Challenges ahead
Among some of the challenges ahead in 2025, Swanson cited the nationwide shortage of certified public accountants, with her company "trying to figure out how we're going to utilize AI. to augment our current team and do more with less."
Meanwhile in Maine's highly regulated cannabis industry, the landscape is shifting all the time, Platz said.
Save the date
A Bangor edition of “60 ideas in 60 minutes” with a panel of other Maine business leaders will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Find out more and register here.
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