Jason joined Educate Maine in 2016 as the Project>Login Program Director and took on a variety of roles until he was named Executive Director in 2019. Jason worked as a teacher, college and career counselor, director of studies, and academic dean at Maine Central Institute (MCI) prior to joining Educate Maine. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in secondary education English, a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in educational leadership, and a doctorate in organizational leadership studies from Northeastern University. His dissertation focused on how leaders foster and support innovation at their schools. Jason is the past chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. He currently serves as a board member for the Maine 4-H Foundation, the advisory board of Live and Work in Maine, and the education advisory board of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
James has worked in and around education in many roles throughout the country. Prior to returning to Maine, he worked with AchieveMpls to raise funds to support the strategic priorities of Minneapolis Public Schools. James also lived and worked in Washington, DC, for nearly a decade, managing various programs at the Points of Light Institute and later working in the community relations department at Booz Allen Hamilton, an international consulting firm. Prior to that, James taught high school social studies as a Teach for America corps member in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. James holds bachelor degrees from Boston University and a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota. James and his family live in Portland, where his children attend Portland Public Schools.
Amanda handles the organization’s financial, human resources and operational functions, and provides programmatic and event planning assistance. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, and a Master’s in Public Administration, with a focus on nonprofit management, from the University of Southern California. Amanda enjoys the Maine outdoors with her husband and family.
As the Director of Workforce Partnerships at Educate Maine, Kate Howell is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry. With a strategic focus on fostering collaboration and implementing experiential learning initiatives, Kate drives impactful partnerships that enhance workforce development. Her career spans diverse sectors and leadership positions in Human Resources and Project Management. Prior to her current role, Kate served as an HR leader at a biotech company in Portland, ME where she spearheaded recruitment efforts, cultivated university relations, and directed national internship programs. Her tenure in New York City and Washington, DC equipped her with a broad perspective that honed her ability to create dynamic and impactful partnerships.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Syracuse University and is a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) by the Society for Human Resource Management. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an active member of Rotary International, contributing her time and expertise to the Kennebunkport club where she resides with her family.
Hannah leads the development of Educate Maine's sponsored registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and supports Maine Career Catalyst's Aquaculture Pioneers program and equity programs. She brings ample experience in the non-profit sector working on projects related to public engagement and communications, environmental education and workforce development, and marine science research. Prior to joining the Educate Maine team, Hannah was a Fellow at the Island Institute and worked in the education program at Downeast Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science with minors in Public Policy and Public Health Studies from Wheaton College. Hannah brings extensive familiarity living and working within communities along the coast of Maine and currently resides in Bremen. Hannah enjoys reading, cooking, nature walks, and exploring.
An educator, program coordinator, and community developer throughout his career both locally in Maine and internationally in Morocco, Jon previously served as a workforce development specialist for Maine Career Catalyst. Before joining Educate Maine, Jonathan worked at Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, teaching American Studies and also serving as the Community Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator. In between two different stints teaching History at Edward Little High School in Auburn, ME, Jonathan served in Peace Corps Morocco from 2016-2018 as a Youth Asset Builder. Jonathan holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in Secondary Education - Social Sciences and a Master of Science in Education: Teacher Leadership degree from the University of Southern Maine. In his free time, he loves to read, play soccer, follow the Premier League (go Spurs), and travel.
Meg Krieger joined Educate Maine as a Workforce Development Coordinator and now is a Workforce Development Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Educational Studies from Bates College. Meg brings hands-on experience in education, from classrooms in Lewiston, Maine, to outdoor education in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her expertise extends to project management and collaboration with local community-based organizations. Following her graduation in May 2022, Meg spent a year in Dresden, Germany, as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant recipient. Now back in Maine, living in Portland, she is excited to spend as much time as possible enjoying the ocean and mountains.
Jodi has more than 20 years of experience working in Maine schools as a K-8 teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in the communities of Gorham, South Portland, and Westbrook. She is professionally certified in Maine as a K-8 teacher and superintendent. Her bachelor's degree in communications and master's degree in educational leadership are both from the University of Southern Maine.
Kim Russell , who joined Educate Maine in August 2024, has more than 25 years of experience in state and federal policy issues, with a focus on early childhood care and education. She brings with her three advocacy organizations: Fight Crime: Invest In Kids (law enforcement leaders), ReadyNation (business leaders), and Mission: Readiness (retired military leaders).
Kim currently co-leads Maine's Right from the Start Coalition, is a member of the Maine Children's Trust Board of Directors and is a former trustee of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. She was a founding board member of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
Kim has worked for a Maine governor, and in both branches of the Maine legislature. She was a staffer on Sen. Olympia Snowe's 1994 and 2000 campaigns. She also worked in development for one of Maine's largest mental health agencies and the University of Southern Maine. She is a graduate of Indiana University with degrees in journalism and political science.
Susan Friedburg joins Educate Maine with diverse not-for-profit financial management experience from her work with educational, hospital, physician, social work organizations. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA in Health Care Administration from Boston University. Susan resides in Bedford, NH with her husband and teenage son. She is thrilled to be joining the Educate Maine team.
Heather is an experienced scientist and educator, with deep background in life sciences including work at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory and the Jackson Laboratory, and hands-on teaching experience in grades K-12. Most recently she taught at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill and the Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan, Maine.
“I am passionate about creating student-focused and hands-on experiences that connect science to real world settings,” Heather said. A molecular biologist by training, Heather holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is pursuing a Masters of Instructional Technology degree from the University of Maine.
Anna has a background in experience-focused environmental and outdoor education. She worked in the Conservation Department at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for numerous seasons, with both youth and adult participants. There she served as the Environmental Education Coordinator, developed and facilitated backcountry programming, led science education treks for youth participants, and worked in conservation forestry. Anna earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology in 2020 from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While at DePauw, she was a member of the Environmental Fellows Program and interned at the campus farm, where she established campus honeybee hives and led pollinator awareness efforts.
