📰BIDDEFORD | 22 BIDDEFORD WOMEN ATTEND LEADERSHIP FALL FORUM
- JW Business Solutions LLC
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 27
This past Thursday, September 25, former United States Senator Olympia Snowe hosted nearly 1,000 people for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute’s Fall Forum at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. In the mix of the 1,000 participants were 22 Biddeford residents. At the event and part of the program, the City had representation from 15 Biddeford students, 6 Biddeford woman mentors, and 1 Biddeford School Contact.
The Institute’s program is designed to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. Biddeford High School joined the Institute back in 2016 and has served 50 students to date.
Current "Olympia's Leaders" of Biddeford High School are Jaynelle Barrett, Addison Barrs, Avah Bernard, Sasha Bushiri, Faye Collins, Kat De La Torre, Jillian DesRoberts, Brittany Hamilton, Jennae Henry, Story Hill, Olivia Hunter, Annabelle Jacques, Anna Johnson, Em Labbe, Kaydance Mckenzie, and Anna Smyth.
In addition, the current "Olympia's Leaders Advisors" at Biddeford High School are Nori Gale—Content Strategist, WEX Inc., PJ Lassek—Internship Coordinator, University of New Hampshire, Jane Martell—Business Operations Manager, Tilson Technology, Sydney Martin—Project Manager, Unum, Bistra Nikiforova—Community Engagement Manager, York County Community Action Corporation, and Jillian Rich—Freelance Marketing. In addition, Biddedford was also represented by the Cassidy Baranowski, Life Science Teacher and Assistant Coach of Girls Soccer.
The Fall Forum is a day-long conference for more than 600 young women from 38 high schools across all 16 Maine counties. Almost 400 adults from the Institute’s network—including 222 trained volunteers who mentor students for a three-year span—attended to speak, facilitate, participate in, or otherwise support activities with “Olympia’s Leaders,” as students are called.
The Institute’s curriculum is centered around yearly themes of “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision” (12th grade), which incorporate seven key outcomes related to confidence and leadership skills. It is an accredited program, so students who participate fully receive college credit for a 200-level Business Leadership course upon graduation.
This annual statewide event gathers all Institute participants for large and small group activities, moments of individual reflection, facilitated peer and mentor connections, professional networking activities, and remarks from inspiring local women.
Key speakers included: The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, Former U.S. Senator and Founder of the Institute; Christina McAnuff, Executive Director of the Institute; Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus, CEO of Bernstein Shur; Vanessa Madore, CEO of Maine Savings Federal Credit Union; Lisa Sockabasin, Co-CEO of Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness; and Adrienne Shibles, Associate Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator at Bates College and former Head Coach of USA Basketball. In addition, Clarissa Sabattis, Chief of Houlton’s Maliseet Tribe, sang the “Strong Women’s Song”—which began to empower Indigenous women enduring great struggle and continues to honor the power of women’s voices and strength.
“Chief Sabattis’ singing reminds us that leadership is not new to Maine women; it has been part of this land and its people for generations.”
—The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe
The “My Values” track was generously sponsored by InterMed—a physician-owned medical group delivering primary care and integrated specialty services–and the “My Vision” track was underwritten by Unum—an organization offering HR benefits and solutions to protect and support the workforce. 80 individuals and businesses attended as special guests who directly networked with and provided feedback to upperclass Olympia’s Leaders.
“The Institute has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and, at the forum, it is especially uplifting to witness Maine individuals and companies generously stepping up to support our mission. Hundreds of local adults chose to gift their time and wisdom to guide these rising leaders today, and it has never been more evident that we are building a statewide network invested in the promise of the next generation and the future of Maine.”
—The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe
Data from the Class of 2025 indicates that Olympia’s Leaders believe the program, including the annual forum, has made a difference in their lives:
99% are ready to open their mind to new ideas or approaches;
97% understand their own values, strengths, and passions;
97% can communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully;
96% can build and maintain a network of support;
95% feel confident in themselves;
95% are willing to tackle challenges, stand up for their values, and take responsibility;
95% have the ability to work with and appreciate diverse people;
94% feel capable of leading others;
and 91% feel able to mentor, guide, and support others.
To date, more than 1,600 Olympia’s Leaders have participated in the Institute. Ninety-three percent of Alums are currently pursuing or have already earned higher education degrees—and seven percent chose to engage in military service, specialized training, gap terms, workforce employment, or business ownership. Seventy-six percent of Olympia’s Leaders have stayed in Maine for post-secondary life.
Current partner schools include: Bangor, Belfast Area, Biddeford, Boothbay Region, Calais, Camden Hills Regional, Cony, Edward Little, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lawrence, Leavitt Area, Lewiston, Lincoln Academy, Lisbon, Medomak Valley, Morse, Mount Ararat, Mount Blue, Mount Desert Island, Mount View, Mountain Valley, Narraguagus, Nokomis Regional, Oak Hill, Oceanside, Oxford Hills Comprehensive, Penquis Valley, Piscataquis Community, Poland Regional, Portland, Presque Isle, Sacopee Valley, Skowhegan Area, Spruce Mountain, Thornton Academy, Westbrook, and Winslow High Schools.
"After one year with the Institute, I have grown so much as an individual and developed a deeper understanding of myself. I eventually hope to use this knowledge to strengthen my leadership to benefit my community. Not only have I witnessed my own growth, but I have been given the opportunity to watch my peers become stronger leaders. I look forward to seeing what the next years of the program will bring!"
—Amelia Tracy, Westbrook '27
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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 confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed 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 www.snoweleadershipinstitute.org/.
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