STAFF

Sarah Lafortune
Operations Director

Sarah discovered Biddeford as an undergraduate student at University of New England. When it came time to settle somewhere with her husband Michael, the choice was obvious. After serving on Engine’s Board of Directors, she dove into the role of operations director and strongly believes in providing the community with equitable access to the arts. You can often catch her and Michael with their two daughters at Engine events or enjoying all Biddeford has to offer.
Email: director@feedtheengine.org

Nick Blunier
Arts Programming Director

Nick has been apart of Biddeford’s art community since studying at University of New England. He founded Common Roots Studio and has worked as the lead art teacher at Sweetser since May 2017. Engine became a fiscal sponsor of his Community Art Bus in 2023, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver more arts programming to Biddeford in this role.
Email: programming@feedtheengine.org

Man standing in front of an artfully painted school bus.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Abigail Bryant, President
Financial Advisor at Edward Jones
Resides: Saco, ME

Christy Bergland, Vice President
Art Therapist and Artist
Resides: Biddeford, ME and Baltimore, MD

Bistra Nikiforova, Secretary
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Resides: Biddeford, ME

Michael Lafortune, Treasurer
Controller at ROEHM America
Resides: Biddeford, ME

Derek Seabury, Director
Executive Director at Powder House Co. 
Resides: Somerville, MA and Scarborough, ME

Josh Soley,SIOR, CCIM Director
President/CEO at Maine Realty Advisors 
Resides: Portland, Maine 

Board of Advisors

John Austin, University of New England P.D. Merrill Endowed Chair of Business
Emma Bouthillette, MFA, RYT-200, Author of A Brief History of Biddeford
Stephen Burt, Chair of the Department of Arts, University of New England
Abigail Carroll, Creator, entrepreneur & investor
Amy Clearwater, former Biddeford City Council
Niki Cousineau, co-director of Subcircle
Jacqui DeFrança, Co-owner of Sweetcream and dance artist
Sarah Daniels, University of New England
Stephanie Edwards, Ph.D., Executive Director, Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium

Don Furman, Partner at Furman Gregory Deptula
Gabrielle Gallucci, Spurwink
William Giordano, Tilth Arts & Agriculture, IGNITE Program Advisor
Karin Gregory, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Highway Capital
Kim Largey, artist and small business owner
Timothea Pham, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Megan Rochelo, former Chief of Staff, Maine State Legislature
Rachel Somerville, Maine College of Art & Design
Roxi Suger, Designer and Owner of Angelrox, Suger & Suger Bōle

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