Moving ME Forward
Board of Directors
Robert Brainerd
President
Bob was born, raised, and has worked over 35 years in this community. He has spent his entire career creating, developing, and implementing innovative strategies as a teacher, coach, trainer, therapist, and business owner. His vision was to impact the “Health and Fitness” of this community through screening, identification, education, and holistic programming. Inspired by a local teacher, coach, and physicians who mentored Bob, giving him the opportunity to open his own business following his dream right here at home. By creating the foundation, “Moving Me Forward”, Bob hopes to inspire other young individuals to become Health Professionals staying in the state of Maine, creating innovative ideas that will also “Give Back” to their communities.
bbrainerd@MovingMEForward.org
Pamela Ward Edgecomb
Vice President
Pamela has been in rehabilitative health care for over 37 years as a therapist, health coach, and manager within a school, hospital and a small business. She has a consciously holistic approach to health and fitness in an attempt to help those she touches feel their best and improve their function within their lives. Her belief is that a healthy life is a process, not just a state of being. She is currently co-owner of CM Conditioning Clinic and an adjunct professor in the Physical Health and Fitness Program. In addition to being a mom, Pamela is a cyclist, an amateur runner and an active volunteer. She graduated from the University of Maine with her Masters.
“Because I am a life-long Mainer that is concerned about the health and wellbeing of our population, I am active with MMF so that I can be part of a larger health and fitness “growing field” in an attempt to produce a positive wellness ripple effect in Maine.”
pedgecomb@MovingMEForward.org
Deanne Michaud
Treasurer
Deanne has spent most of her 30 year career as an accountant working for local area businesses. She spent 6 years as Treasurer on the Board for the Maine Track Club board and currently an active committee member for the Lake Auburn Half Marathon. Deanne is passionate about supporting local community events and opportunities which positively impact the areas of fitness, health, and wellness. She has BS Business Admin with additional focus in accounting and when she’s not working, she enjoys most outdoor activities especially running.
dmichaud@MovingMEForward.org
Georgia Vallee
Secretary
Georgia has 25 years of experience working in the fields of education and community health education. She has taught in the public schools in kindergarten through twelfth grades. In addition, Georgia has worked as an adjunct instructor within undergraduate Early Childhood Education and graduate Literacy Education higher education programs. Prior to working in public education, she worked as a community health educator. She is currently employed as a high school Literacy Coach and holds a BS in Community Health Education and a M.Ed. in Literacy Education. Georgia began running in 2002 and continues to be an active member of our local running community.
“When I participated in the first annual Lake Auburn Half Marathon, I realized how fortunate our community was to have such an organization and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. MMF brings people together to support one another in living healthier lifestyles, and giving back to our community.”
gvallee@MovingMEForward.org
William G Aube
Marketing Chair
Bill has been involved in the high-tech industry for over 30 years leading teams, driving program and operational excellence, managing process improvement initiatives, and building programs to improve customer satisfaction. His passion and focus centers around crisis customer support management and customer loyalty, as well as defining world class programs, processes, and metrics to align across business units to mitigate critical customer risk. Bill is an accomplished program leader with a talent for motivating teams to meet and exceed business objectives. Bill is an avid runner and has a BSBA from NH College.
“Being a part of Moving ME Forward allows me to work closely with like-minded passionate individuals working to develop and drive health and fitness initiatives back into our community making a tangible difference in the quality of everyday life.”
baube@MovingMEForward.org
Community Relationship Coordinator
Jonathan Labonte
Jonathan recently completed three terms serving the city of Auburn as its Mayor, focused on developing a walkable and inclusive city with the promotion of neighborhood identity and community recreation. Also served as the executive director a regional trails and conservation organization, facilitating the protection of land and development of recreational facilities for physical activity in and around Lewiston-Auburn. Leading the conservation organization, established programs and partnerships to help young people, families and local employers get outside to hike, bike, paddle and fish while learning about the environment around them. Currently in a lead role at a Maine-based outdoor retailer. Jonathan studied Engineering and Public Administration at the University of Maine in Orono.
I am excited about being on the MMF executive board because: Moving ME Forward is establishing itself as a connector of people and organizations with the goal of building a healthier and more active community. The relationships already in place, and those the board members bring to the table, create the foundation to raise and invest financial resources into projects, program and people. I’m excited to help support those partnerships, and also to be active in our programs like the Moving ME Forward Running Club and the Lake Auburn Half Marathon.
jlabonte@MovingMEForward.org
Developmental Chair
Donna Beaulieu
Donna, a Maine native and UMaine graduate, has dedicated 35 years of her career in laboratory medicine at Central Maine Healthcare, based in Lewiston Maine. Serving as the System Director of Laboratory Services since 1998, Donna has led countless initiatives focused on advancing clinical and anatomic pathology services and enhancing patient safety at Central Maine Medical Center, Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital.
Passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, Donna has been a strong advocate for victims of domestic abuse for many years and was instrumental in developing policies, education and practices within the Central Maine Healthcare system to support employees and patients who have been harmed as a result of this complex national health concern.
Donna’s work with Moving ME Forward since its inception has been another tremendous opportunity for her to make a difference and give back to her own community and beyond. “Being able to mentor and support others along their health and fitness journeys has been incredibly rewarding over the years. I feel honored to be able to work with my fellow Moving ME Forward board members in my role as Development Chair, as we strive to achieve our vision of impacting social change in the areas of health and fitness within our Maine communities.”
dbeaulieu@MovingMEForward.org
At Large
Monika Bissell
Monika is currently the President, Maine College of Health Professionals and has her Doctorate of Business Administration.
I am excited about being on the MMF executive board because: I believe that Lewiston/Auburn has tremendous opportunity to position itself as a nationally-recognized healthy community. I am amazed by the number of individuals here who have sincere enthusiasm about wellness, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a movement to align this energy to make very meaningful positive change.
mbissell@MovingMEForward.org