She’s Brilliant!TM
Women in leadership sharing inspiration and guidance.
As a certified Women’s Business Enterprise, we at KMA are champions of women achieving success in business, and we’re always looking for opportunities to mentor the next generation of women leaders. She’s Brilliant!™ is a collection of wisdom, generously shared by women leaders from diverse communities, and is designed to inspire, motivate and guide us all.
In addition to the blog, we have published these contributions in two printed collections: She’s Brilliant! Volume One, and Volume Two. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact us and we’ll pop it in the mail.
She’s Brilliant! Hannah Pingree
Hannah Pingree, Director, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future What do you consider to be a leader’s greatest strength? “I think the most effective leaders have the same essential qualities of confidence, passion and a strength of belief in what...
She’s Brilliant! Sokunthy Yean
Sokunthy Yean, Vice President of Operations, Sea Bags What do you love most about the work you are doing today? “What I love about being the VP of Operations for Sea Bags is that no two days are alike. I made the decision early in my career at Sea Bags to switch from...
She’s Brilliant! Dottie Chalmers Cutter
Dottie Chalmers Cutter, VP Operations, Chalmers Insurance What do you love most about the work you are doing today? “I absolutely love coaching, mentoring, developing, and leading my team of about 90 co-workers. I am very fortunate to have gone through extensive...
She’s Brilliant! Kate Snyder
Kate Snyder, Mayor, City of Portland What have you learned about the responsibilities of leadership in a time of crisis? “Leadership in a crisis is about communicating honestly, consistently and effectively, while also doing what needs to be done to the best of your...
She’s Brilliant! Celine Kuhn
Celine Kuhn, Executive Director, The Telling Room How do you model strong leadership? “I work hard to set up a collaborative environment where everyone’s ideas, regardless of the person’s status or identity, are considered on their merits. I foster courage,...
She’s Brilliant! Hope Pollard
Hope Pollard, CEO, Associated Builders & Contractors Maine What advice would you offer women entering a traditionally male-dominated industry? 1. Be authentic and genuine. Be yourself. Every person brings a unique value and skill to the team. 2. We all have the...
She’s Brilliant! Laurie Reed
Laurie Reed, Partner, Managing Director, Retirement Plans Division, Lebel & Harriman What advice would you offer women entering a traditionally male-dominated industry? “I was very fortunate to start my career by joining forces with two great men, who welcomed me...
She’s Brilliant! Catherine Lamson
Catherine Lamson, Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer, The MEMIC Group How do you model strong leadership? “I model leadership with integrity, and in way that mentors my team while giving them opportunities to learn, practice and demonstrate their talents....
She’s Brilliant! Joanne Crepeau
Joanne Crepeau, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Maine How do you model strong leadership? “Years ago, I learned about servant leadership as a management style rooted in sharing power, putting needs of employees first and developing people to perform as highly...
She’s Brilliant! Alison Pray
Alison Pray, Owner/Baker, Standard Baking Co. What is the most valuable business lesson you have learned? “As a business owner, the most important lesson I’ve learned is the power of the relationships all around you. You can’t do everything on your own. You might have...
She’s Brilliant! Carolyn Bird
Carolyn Bird, President, Casco Bay Engineering How do you model strong leadership? “Strong leadership is having the confidence to make on-the-spot decisions – whether it’s meeting with a client during the design phase of a project, or visiting a construction site...
She’s Brilliant! Jen Fullmer
Jen Fullmer, Executive Director, Boots2Roots What advice would you offer women entering a traditionally male-dominated industry? “Fifty years after more than a thousand Women Air Force Service Pilots flew every military aircraft in the inventory, prepared men for...