The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) celebrated the outstanding achievements of business and education partners at its annual Showcase Maine event at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel on Monday, November 3, 2025. 

Showcase Maine is FAME’s signature event, bringing together leaders from Maine’s business, lending, government and higher education communities to honor collaborative success. The evening was centered around a showcase of exhibits by FAME’s business and education partners from across the state. 

This year’s award recipients included:

• Business at Work for Maine Award – Roselyn North Academy was honored for its dedication to elevating early childhood education in Maine. The Academy’s owner, Angela Garrison, said, “I feel like I was put on this earth to provide safe spaces for children to learn and grow. I truly feel like that is my calling and that is why I was put here.” With eight early childhood and preschool locations across southern Maine, the Academy has 125 employees taking care of and teaching close to 450 students each day. The academy’s mission is to care for and nurture children, families, and educators in their communities. Angela said, “It’s very hard to start a brand new business, especially when you don’t really have experience in that field…. We really find value in investing in each other and without FAME’s support and investing in Maine people, I just don’t think any of that would be possible.”
• Education at Work Award – Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute’s (OSWLI) was recognized for its impact on high school students, and for building coalitions across political and geographic lines to help young women realize their dreams. Executive Director Christina McAnuff said, “Research shows that girls lose confidence three and a half times faster than boys. It is critical that we stem the tide now. That’s what the program is designed to do.” OSWLI currently serves more than 620 students and is expected to increase that number to approximately 660 in the coming year. An alumna of the program, Tessa Solomon, said, “I have somebody to look up to. I have somebody that I can see myself in and that makes a huge difference.” OSWLI provides concrete outcomes including college credits, training, mentorship and development to girls from 38 schools across all 16 Maine counties and continues to explore ways to expand their impact.
• Education at Work Award – Betsy Mayotte, President of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA), was honored for her commitment to empowering hundreds of Mainers every year to navigate a complex student loan system and gain the confidence needed to build resilient futures. Martha Johnston, FAME employee, said, “Betsy is very passionate about making sure people have access to the right information at the right time so they can manage their student loan repayment.”  In the past year alone, over 600 Maine borrowers have registered for Betsy’s student loan webinars and TISLA counselors have provided important support to 1,200 Maine borrowers. The impact Betsy is having is especially important given federal student loan debt in Maine is over $6 billion. FAME has also directly benefited from “Betsy Briefs” updates that are critical to FAME’s success in supporting Maine borrowers. Betsy said, “I really wish more states understood the importance of providing a resource like FAME does for Maine residents.”
• Partner at Work Award – Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC)
  The Partner at Work Award is a new award presented to NMDC in honor of its significant achievements in commercial lending, strategic partnerships, and economic development. Since 2020, NMDC has become a cornerstone of rural Maine’s economy. Over the last five years, NMDC has deployed nearly 1,000 loans totaling $46 million, with nearly one third of this capital leveraging FAME funding. Two businesses that have been positively impacted by NMDC are Brassica Property Management, LLC and J. W. Raye & Co., Inc. The businesses received a $305,000 SSBCI loan through FAME, and along with making repairs and replacing centuries-old equipment, the loan enabled Raye’s to retain 12 employees and will allow the company to add up to three new employees in the next two years. NMDC is also a valued partner of the Maine Funding Network, which is a platform that allows Maine businesses to connect to many resources and alternative funding solutions.
• Lender at Work for Maine Award (over $1.5 billion in assets) – Camden National Bank was honored for its valued partnership with FAME and its outstanding commitment to Maine people and businesses through innovative financial solutions and community engagement. Over the past year, in partnership with FAME, Camden National made 70 loans for more than $12 million, creating 109 jobs and retaining 472.
• Lender at Work for Maine Award (up to $1.5 billion in assets) – Acadia Federal Credit Union was recognized for its strategic partnership with FAME and its exemplary commitment to the well-being of Maine’s communities and businesses. In collaboration with FAME, Acadia made 19 loans for just under $5.5 million, creating nine jobs and retaining 74.
• Lender at Work for Maine Award (most enhanced partnership) – First National Bank was honored for its increased partnership with FAME and dedication to empowering Maine’s businesses through forward-thinking financial services. First National partnered with FAME to make 12 loans for more than $7.6 million, creating 68 new jobs and retaining 74.