ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Meet the Alumni Council
The Alumni Council is a group of passionate, diverse, and dedicated Olympia’s Leaders alumni that represent graduates from the Class of 2018 to present. The Council serves to foster connections between the more than 700 alumni and the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. The Council gathers feedback and input from alum, brainstorms ideas, and makes recommendations for a comprehensive program that will encourage Olympia’s Leaders Alumni to: stay connected to the Institute and its network, further enhance their communication and networking skills, and benefit from professional development that complements and builds on the “Values,” “Voice,” and “Vision” program.
Anna Coleman
Anna is a junior at Husson University, graduating in the Spring of 2024. She is an English major with a minor in Behavioral Science. Anna is President of the Get Lit English club and part of the Horticulture club. She works on campus in the Writing Center and also created a part-time remote position for herself as the Social Media Coordinator at the Waldo County YMCA in Belfast.
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council because the OSWLI really helped me throughout high school to bring out the best version of myself, and I want to help continue that for other girls and promote all of the opportunities they offer.”
Belle Libby
Belle is a junior at the University of New England studying Pre-Pharmacy, and plans to finish undergraduate and begin pharmacy school in the fall of 2024. She is a pharmacy technician at Community Pharmacy.
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council because I loved my experience as an OL at the Institute and I wanted to continue staying connected with everyone.”
IN THIS ISSUE
THE ALUMNI COUNCIL
WHO ARE THEY?
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?
WHY ARE THEY ON THE ALUMNI COUNCIL?
Charli Robinson
Charli is currently attending the State University of New York at New Paltz and is expected to graduate with the class of 2024. She is majoring in Music with a concentration in Music Therapy, and a minor in Psychology. Charli plays flute, piano, and guitar. She also works parttime as a Nanny for several families. She hopes to pass along her love and appreciation of music and art to the children she works with.
“I chose to be a part of the Alumni Council because I want to stay connected to the institute and help others stay connected after they graduate. A goal of mine within the Alumni Council is to connect with girls currently in the program and create a mentoring program between alumni and current Olympia’s Leaders.”
Ellie MacMillan
ntley University and is expected to graduate with the class of 2024. She is a Public Policy major and is Executive Vice President of Student Government and a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Ellie is hoping to go to the Big Time Rush concert this summer in Bangor, ME!
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council because I want to reconnect with my fellow OLs.”
Haley Hersey
Haley completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in two years at the University of Southern Maine. She got her Master's Degree in journalism from Emerson College in Boston, and graduated in May 2023. Following graduation, she completed a capstone project and internship at The Portland Press Herald.
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council because I got so much out of the OSWLI that I wanted to help contribute to its future and success. I have formed so many great friendships and relationships with people at the Institute that I wanted to continue that relationship after my graduation."
Kaci Alley
Kaci finished a four-year bachelor’s degree in two years and is currently attending University of Maine School of Law and is expected to graduate with the class of 2025.
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council for the opportunity to engage with other members of the Institute and help each other further develop our leadership skills.”
Lauren Cornelio
Lauren is currently attending the University of Southern Maine to earn her Master’s Degree in Leadership Studies. Last spring, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, also from the University of Southern Maine. Lauren has taken on extra classes each semester in order to graduate early in the spring of 2024.
“I chose to be on the Alumni Council because I have first-hand experience in how important it is to stay connected with the Institute. After graduating from the Institute in 2018, I remained in contact with everyone, and made sure to attend every event possible. The Institute has done so much for me, including an internship and opportunities to use my voice to speak out about causes I care about, and I want the future alumni to do the same.”
Olivia Dougherty
Olivia is currently attending the University of Maine major with a minor in international affairs. She is p g Olivia was recently selected as the Vice President of Engineers Without Borders-UMaine Chapter. She is also a member of the Japanese club on campus. Olivia is this year's Maine Seagoddess, an ambassador role she competed for this summer through the Maine Lobster Festival. Olivia was selected as a member of the travel team for a project in Uganda through Engineers Without Borders and will be traveling there this May.
“I chose to be a part of the Alumni Council because of the impact the Institute had on my growth as a young woman in high school. Without its guidance I know my confidence, aspirations, and personal/academic skills would not be nearly as advanced as they are today. I truly value the mission of the institute and wanted to give back and be a source of support for the work it does.”
Mervique Baraka
Mervique is currently working as an Underwriting Assistant for Seneca Insurance in their Morristown, NJ, and NYC offices. She started off as an Insurance Rater and was recently promoted to the underwriting department after 6 months with the company. She is an avid piano player and painter and plans to move to Southern France in a few years!
“I wanted to be a part of the Alumni Council because I truly believe in the program and its mission and I want to be able to give back in a small way. I started high school as an extremely introverted and shy individual with a lot of fear and self-confidence struggles. Being a part of the OSWLI started me off on a lifelong journey of discovering what my values are, how I can use my voice to express them in different situations as well as how to navigate the quest of living out my vision.”
Mikayla Reynolds
Mikayla is currently attending the University of Maine in Orono and will be graduating in May 2023. She is double majoring in Business Management and Marketing, with the Honors course of study. Mikayla is a Student Success Initiatives Intern at Maine Business School, Lead Peer Coach at TRIO Student Support Services, Program Leader at the Center for Student Involvement, an Ambassador for Maine Business School, President of All Maine Women, Co-President of Beta Gamma Sigma, Vice President of the 2023 Class Council, and Vice President of Sigma Alpha Lambda.
“I chose to join the Alum Council because I wanted to give back the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. This program was one of the first instances where I was told I was a leader, had the explicit capacity for change, and the power to lead and create change. I want to reconnect graduates of the OSWLI program back together and strengthen our network and opportunities to develop personally and professionally with one another through programming.”
Ruth Griffin
Ruth is a first year student at the University of Maine and expects to graduate in 2025. She is an economics major and in the Women in Economics Club, The Honors College Student Advisors Board, and SPIFFY (an investment fund club). Ruth is currently a Teachers Assistant for Introductory Microeconomics at the University of Maine. She has also worked at a small vegetable farm for five years!
“I believe that the Institute does amazing work to help women all throughout Maine and I would like to support the Institute while also making the alumni network stronger.”
Tessa Solomon
Tessa is currently attending the University of Maine in Orono, graduating in May 2023. She is a Political Science major with minors in Business and Leadership. Tessa has been in University Singers, UMaine Renaissance, Chi Omega Sorority, Club Rugby, and Student Government.
“I chose to take the opportunity to be a member of the Alumni Council because I wanted the chance to continue to give back to a great program that gave so much to me and helped me with my personal development. I truly believe I would not be the woman I am today if it had not been for the institute, the amazing women it brought into my life, and all of the lessons it taught me and still continues to teach me today. I wanted the girls who are in the program and the alumni to know this is not just a three year program but a community that will be there to support you for a lifetime.”