Honoring Inspirational Leadership
Since 2011, our Leaders & Luminaries Awards have honored nonprofit board members who lead with passion, bring creativity, and drive strategic leadership to strengthen the board and organization in order to propel their mission forward.
We are accepting nominations through August 31 and will recognize five outstanding leaders this year, with each recipient receiving a $5,000 award in support of their organization.
Awards Information & Criteria
Eligibility
- Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations or groups that demonstrate tax-exempt status under the internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)3.
- The nominee must be currently serving on the board of directors and not employed by the organization.
- The nonprofit organization must be located and operating in the state of Maine or New Hampshire. If an organization is part of a larger national nonprofit, then the nominee must be from the Maine or New Hampshire branch of the organization.
- Camden National Bank employees are not eligible to nominate or be nominated.
- Previous award recipients are not eligible to participate for the following five years.
- Only one nomination accepted per organization.
Additional selection considerations
- The size, age, budget and mission of the organization are not material in consideration for this award.
- In reviewing applications, the selection committee will take into account the funds, staff and volunteers available to the organization, as well as how effectively it has allocated those resources to fulfill its mission. The committee will also consider whether appropriate term-limits have been put in place and a sustainable leadership plan established.
- No prior or current relationship with Camden National Bank will be considered or is necessary to receive this award.
- All information submitted will be confidential.
Selection committee
- One executive of Camden National Bank
- Three other independent volunteers who are active in Maine and New Hampshire’s nonprofit communities.
Funding and recognition
- Five (5) nonprofit organizations will each receive $5,000 grants on behalf of their awardees.
- Each awardee and organization will be recognized on Camden National Bank’s website, social media, and marketing materials.
- Leaders & Luminaries awards are made possible by Camden National Bank, through The Bank of Maine Foundation. In October 2015, Camden National Bank acquired The Bank of Maine in order to better serve customers through a wider range of financial products and services while still remaining an important member of the communities we serve.
Congratulations to our 2025 Leaders & Luminaries Award Winners!
Recognized with $5,000 grants for each respective nonprofit.
Kate Borduas, Board President, Scarborough Public Library (Scarborough, Maine)
Don House, President Emeritus, Belknap House (Laconia, New Hampshire)
Jordan Stanwood, Board President, Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center (Ellsworth, Maine)
Kristin Valdmanis, Board Member, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (Portland, Maine)
Annie Watson, Board Member, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (Unity, Maine)
2025 Spotlight Award winners:
Recognized with $2,000 grants for each respective nonprofit.
Beth Ann Barrett, Board Chair, of The Friendly Kitchen in Concord, New Hampshire
Penny Kittle, founder of the Book Love Foundation in North Conway, New Hampshire
