Adele Ngoy is a fashion designer, educator, and entrepreneur who has made a profound impact on the Maine community. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Adele arrived in the United States in 2000 as a refugee, driven by a determination to provide a safe, supportive environment for her three young children. After several years In Portland, Adele’s passion for empowering others led her to establish the non-profit Women United Around the World. Her organization teaches sewing...

Nikki Fontaine is a visual artist and holistic skincare specialist. Formerly a high-level makeup artist working with globally recognized clients in the entertainment field, Nikki transitioned into natural and plant-based treatments after moving to Maine from New York City during the pandemic. Her journey led her to formal esthetician training. Nikki now practices at Abura Skincare, an eco-focused skincare studio in Portland, Maine, where she incorporates botanical ingredients, such as...

Home designer Patty Cooke brings a unique approach to her craft, applying principles from art and architecture to create harmonious spaces. Patty believes in the importance of reworking existing spaces rather than opting for new construction, believing that character and history add depth to design. Her passion for preserving historic buildings shines through in projects like the Pickering House Inn in Wolfeboro, NH. Patty strives to create environments that enhance mental well-being,...

Paula Hamel Daher is an accomplished interior designer and founder of Daher Interior Designs. Paula’s successful design practice draws on her educational background in civil engineering and computer science, and thrives on client collaboration. Based in Boston and Kennebunk, Maine, Paula has traveled globally, and actively sources unique local craftsmanship for her projects. Join our conversation with Paula Daher today on Radio Maine.

Grace DeGennaro is a renowned artist and educator whose work has been exhibited widely across the United States and around the world. Originally from Long Island, New York, Grace now lives in Yarmouth, Maine. She earned degrees in Fine Arts from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York and Columbia University in New York City. Grace’s work reflects a unique blend of spirituality and abstraction, deeply influenced by her Catholic upbringing and years of exploring sacred geometry. Using a...

Vivian Beer is a renowned sculptor and furniture designer/maker originally from Bar Harbor, Maine. A graduate of the Maine College of Art in Portland and the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Vivian has transformed the public art landscape with her large-scale installations, including her recent work in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, titled "Woven Together." This project creatively intertwines durable materials like metal and bronze to celebrate women and evoke empathy in...

Pasha Marlowe is the CEO of Neuro Belonging, a company dedicated to advancing neurodiversity and disability inclusion. With over 30 years of experience as a therapist and health coach, Pasha connects deeply to Maine through personal and professional ties, seeking to shift the narrative around neurodiversity in the state. Pasha emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual differences rather than conforming to a "normal" standard. The conversation highlights the need for inclusive...

Dr. Todd Otten is a board-certified family physician with over two decades of experience in medicine. Todd, who has ties to Maine through his past work as a naval flight surgeon, champions an approach called “Our Quadruple Aim,” which seeks to drive systemic change in healthcare. His groundbreaking book, Ripple of Change, co-authored with his patient Joshua Judy, delves into the challenges of burnout and offers a hopeful path forward. Todd believes that collaboration and innovative models...

Margot Hartford is a multidisciplinary artist and commercial photographer originally from Waterloo, Canada. With a background in photography and film, Margot has spent nearly three decades exploring creativity. Margot’s journey from commercial photography to fine art demonstrates the freedom that comes from breaking traditional artistic rules. Margot’s vibrant work is informed by childhood nostalgia, and incorporates innovative techniques like image transfer and encaustics. Join our...

Dr. Barbara Crowley is the leader of the Peter Alfond Endowment Programs at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta. Barbara’s background in pediatrics and community health has contributed to her transformational approach to broadening the definition of health beyond clinical settings. From pioneering school-based health centers to leading initiatives that address social determinants of health such as food insecurity, Barbara's career reflects a deep commitment to integrating wellness services into...

Rebecca Hatfield is the CEO and president of Avesta Housing. With a background in finance and tech, Rebecca brings a unique blend of analytical prowess and compassion to her role at one of Maine’s most well-recognized affordable housing non-profits. Raised on the West Coast, Rebecca spent time all over the world before moving to her husband’s home state nine years ago. She has become known as a strategic leader dedicated to tackling Maine’s housing crisis head-on, noting the critical...

Colleen Barry is the CEO of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty. Originally a documentary filmmaker and graphic designer, Colleen found her employment options limited in 2002, in the financial aftermath of the burst dot-com bubble. She gratefully accepted a position answering phones in a rental office. By working hard and repeatedly saying “yes” to additional opportunities, Colleen eventually made it to her current position: leading a top real estate firm with nearly 30 offices. Along the...

Megan Jo Wilson is the founder of Rockstar Camp for Women, a transformative leadership program held at the Portland House of Music in Maine’s largest city. Growing up in nearby Cape Elizabeth, Megan felt drawn to the arts at an early age. From performing Tina Turner tunes on her parents’ front lawn to becoming a professional singer and musician, Megan quickly developed confidence in her ability to use her voice effectively.  Throughout her decades of work as a certified coach and leadership...

Matthew Russ was born in Portland, Maine and raised in nearby Cape Elizabeth. He earned a B.A. from Colby College, majoring in studio art with a concentration in oil painting, during which time he studied for one year at Crawford College of Art in Cork, Ireland. He lives with his wife KC in Waterville, where he maintains a studio. Matt celebrates Maine’s landscape in his paintings. He paints from life, working outdoors in all seasons and often backpacking into remote locations. He favors...

Carrie Levine is a certified functional medicine practitioner, author, and owner of Whole Woman Health. A Certified Nurse Midwife, Carrie honed her skills in multiple Southern Maine locations, including Maine Medical Center in Portland, Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, and Women to Women in Yarmouth. She founded Whole Woman Health in 2014. Carrie's insights from her years on the labor and delivery floor translated seamlessly into a holistic approach to well-being. She emphasizes the...

Andy (Andrea) Patstone is the Coastal Region President of MaineHealth, the state’s largest healthcare organization. Andy brings a unique perspective to leadership, emphasizing the importance of being adaptive, having self-awareness and understanding others' needs. She highlights the challenge of leading in a clinical field as a non-clinician, and stresses the benefit of emotional intelligence. Andy’s personal and family experiences underpin her deep empathy and drive her passion for her work....

Bud Stiker is an internationally recognized radio professional and creative consultant who now uses his communication background to benefit medical learners and patients. Originally from upstate New York, Bud gained extensive experience in radio across the U.S. before eventually moving to Maine. Bud’s winding professional path from disc jockey to general manager and international consultant enabled him to build resilience and adaptability, while developing a deep understanding of people. He...

Chelsie DiConzo is the Community Events Director for the Yarmouth Clam Festival. Originally from Rumford, a riverfront mill town located in the foothills of western Maine, Chelsie has dedicated herself to showcasing Maine’s cultural landscape. Chelsie drew upon her well-honed skills as a seasoned event organizer when reviving Yarmouth’s beloved tradition after a two-year Covid-imposed hiatus. She and her team successfully overcame many challenges in 2022 as they reinstated Maine’s largest...