BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alistair (“Al”) Raymond, Esq. serves as the Chair of Spurwink’s Board of Directors and is a member of its Executive Committee. Al is Vice President – Chief Compliance Officer for Avangrid, Inc., and is responsible for the company’s corporate compliance and ethics program. Avangrid is the parent company of Central Maine Power and a subsidiary of global energy company, Iberdrola, S.A. Prior to joining Avangrid, Al practiced as a business law attorney at Verrill Dana, LLP, one of Maine’s largest law firms. Al’s commitment to improving services in the field of children’s mental and behavioral health came in part through his pro bono legal experiences. Al has been a member of Spurwink’s Board since 2007.

Theresa Kelly is committed to sustainable farming practices on her farm in Pownal, Maine. She retired from 40 years working in the IT field, ranging from application development to complex project management. Theresa is Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Finance/Audit Committee and a member of the Development Committee. The Spurwink board and organization has greatly benefitted from Theresa’s understanding of improving efficiencies, reducing costs, and optimizing resources. Living in rural Maine with a public school educator has invested Theresa with a passion to make a difference in her community.

Tari Advani, M.D. is an emergency medicine physician at MidCoast Health System. Tari estimates that about 20% of the patients she sees have mental health issues contributing to their visit. Consequently, she has developed an extensive knowledge of services available and needed for children and adults with developmental disorders, mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, and drug and alcohol addiction. These factors have created a deep commitment to improve available services and accessibility to those services.

Richard Berthy is the CEO of Foreside Financial Group, LLC. Foreside is a distribution and compliance services firm serving the investment management industry. Rich serves on the Spurwink Board because he has witnessed friends with children on the autism spectrum struggle with obtaining services.

Senator Cathy Breen has lived in the Portland area since 2000 and joined the Spurwink Board in 2013 and Chairs the Governance Committee. Cathy is the Maine State Senator for District 25. She has served on the Falmouth Town Council as well as on the Board of Directors of Community Counseling Center, and graduated from the Institute for Civic Leadership’s intensive training in collaborative leadership. Her experience in organizational development, strategic planning, fundraising, policy development, writing, advocacy, and mental health care supports her commitment to improve mental and behavioral health services for children and their families.

Melissa Coulombe, Esq., is the Chair of the Development Committee. Melissa became interested in Spurwink due to her work as a Guardian Ad Litem, (GAL) advocating for children in the welfare system. Many children represented by GALs come from unstable family backgrounds and have multiple special needs. Melissa quickly learned to find resources to assist the children in her community, and is motivated by the belief that more resources are always needed.

Thomas Daffron has held a wide variety of senior positions in both government and the private sector. His government service included periods as chief of staff to three Senators, including Bill Cohen of Maine, and as a speechwriter for a fourth Senator. He also held management positions with private enterprises ranging from Washington government consulting firms to a major league baseball team. Tom has consulted on or managed several political campaigns, including those of Maine Senators Cohen and Susan Collins, as well as a national presidential campaign. His son, Tommy, was a Spurwink client in the Limerick Group Home for more than 20 years. Tom has served on the Spurwink board since 1988.

Daniel Fishbein, M.D. is the President of Sun Life Financial U.S., and has served on Spurwink Boards for nearly twenty years. During his tenure as Chair of the Board (2009-2013), Spurwink fully utilized Dan’s experience in strategic planning, mergers, and organizational leadership. Dan currently lends his expertise to the Executive Committee. He is committed to furthering the betterment of services for children with Autism and developmental disorders in Maine.

Jim Giberson is a Maine native who moved back to the state and settled in Portland with his wife in 2012 after earning his degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University and beginning his career in the Chicago area. He serves as the Commercial Marketing Manager for Wright-Ryan Construction, supporting strategic and business development initiatives. Jim also serves on the Boards of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Northern New England chapter, and Architalx. Growing up with two parents who were public school educators, Jim is passionate about providing access to opportunities and paths to success for all people. He developed a stronger interest in Spurwink upon completion of the Emerging Leaders program led by Lift 360 (formerly the Institute for Civic Leadership). Jim is proud to support the organization’s behavioral health and educational mission through service on the Development and Finance/Audit Committees.

Catherine Liston has more than 30 years’ experience in the Insurance industry, particularly leading large multi-site organizations. Cathy is currently the Vice President of Sun Life. Cathy joined the Spurwink Board in 2009, bringing her expertise in financial & business management, Human Resource management, plus strategic planning and leadership skills. Cathy is Chair of the Investment Committee and now serves on the Executive Committee.

Leo Martin joined the Spurwink Board in 1996. Leo was superintendent of schools in Kennebunk and served as Commissioner of Education under Governor John McKernan. His life-long dedication to education has brought him to his current career as a consultant performing accreditations for international schools. As Chair of the HR committee, Leo reviews all personnel-related legal actions, job descriptions and HR policies.

Françoise Paradis, Ed.D. provides psychological services at Hidden Springs Psychological Services, her private practice, in Saco, Maine. She offers individual and marriage psychotherapy for adults, and psychological/neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults.  Her passion is creating beautiful spaces in the landscape around her home in Buxton.

Matthew Winch is an Architect with varied experience in the planning and design of educational, health care and health and human service-related facilities for the private and non- profit sectors. As the proud dad of three youngsters, Matthew is especially invested in furthering community services for children, prevention programs, and education. Matthew recently ended a 3-year term as the Board Chair, and continues to lend his expertise to the Executive, Governance, and Investment Committees.