ROCKLAND, ME – Trekkers, a Rockland-based nonprofit youth mentoring organization, is proud to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. This year’s additions include two professionals and two student representatives, reflecting Trekkers’ deep commitment to youth voice and leadership.
“I am delighted to welcome Jesse, Pete, Zoe, and Evan to the Trekkers board,” said Stephanie Welch, Executive Director of Trekkers. “These individuals all have such strong leadership skills, two just starting out on their leadership journey and two bringing an exceptional record of dedicated board leadership experience. We are eager to put all their strengths and talents to good use, and I know they will make a big impact here.”
Joining the board are:
- Jesse Rutter, Parter at the law firm Hanscom, Collins, & Rutter, brings legal expertise and a passion for community engagement. Jesse is actively engaged in community service. He also serves on the board of Midcoast Recreation Center has served as the Board President of Rockland Main Street, Inc., as well as serving on the Executive Board of the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum. He lives in Rockland with his wife (a Rockland native and Rockland High School graduate), his four children and their English bulldog.
- Pete Rand, who will assume the Board Treasurer position in September. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at the Island Institute, whose experience in nonprofit finance and strategic planning will help guide Trekkers’ continued growth. He has served as a financial executive with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, across numerous areas of need, particularly organizations serving youth and families and people with disabilities. Pete has also provided board leadership to organizations serving those experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty, and internationally through war-torn countries.
- Evan Riley, a rising 12th grade Trekkers student from Team Crux, has been sworn in as a student board member. He is a student at the STEM Academy at Oceanside High School where he participates in Student Government and Key Club. He is looking forward to working with the other members of the board and sharing his voice on behalf of himself and other Trekkers students. Trekkers has been extremely impactful for Evan, and he wants to help Trekkers to continue to provide these experiences to young people in this area.
- Zoe Hufnagel, a rising 11th grade Trekkers student from Team Katmai, is also serving as a student board member. She is a student at Lincoln Academy where she has had leadership experience in student government and multiple editorial boards. She is excited to represent the students of Trekkers and share her perspective. Zoe also plans to become a Trekkers student leader this coming year.
Zoe and Evan hold equal voting rights on the board, ensuring that student perspectives are not only heard but are integral to the organization’s decision-making process. “At Trekkers, we believe that young people should have a seat at the table—especially when decisions affect their lives and futures,” said Kathleen Meil, Former President of Trekkers Board of Directors. “Zoe and Evan bring insight, energy, and lived experience that enrich our board’s work and keep us grounded in our mission.”
The inclusion of student board members is a longstanding tradition at Trekkers and a cornerstone of its youth-centered approach. By elevating student voices, the organization ensures that its programs remain responsive, relevant, and empowering to the young people it serves. It also provides direct access to mentorship from seasoned leaders and allows students to practice leadership skills they learned in Trekkers’ student leadership program within real world contexts.
As Trekkers welcomes new board members, three board members are also outgoing. Kathleen Meil, who has served on the board since 2017, and as Board President since 2021, has completed her term this month. She will continue to stay involved in our mission and organization but looks to root down into her new professional position as the Local Clean Energy Deployment Director at the League of Conservation Voters, headquartered in Washington D.C. “Kathleen has been a steadfast leader during a time of growth and change at Trekkers. She has helped steer Trekkers towards a future full of promise. We are so grateful to Kathleen for her commitment to youth in our community,” said Stephanie Welch, Executive Director of Trekkers. Succeeding Meil in the Board President role is Jessie Davis of Rockland and parent to graduating senior, Scout Bookham. Jessie has had an enduring relationship with Trekkers and has participated as a mentor on numerous treks (including the first long trek back in 1999), a Trekkers parent, and long-time supporter. She also has deep roots in the community, and was recognized in 2023 Mainebiz Woman to Watch for helping transform The Strand into a thriving arts and cultural hub. We are so grateful to have her at the helm as Trekkers continues to offer programs that meet the needs of today’s youth.
In addition, two student board members, Liam Burlingham (Team Squaliform) and Anya Felton (Team Wobbegong), step down as they graduate from the Trekkers program and high school. As a student board member, Burlingham was instrumental as part of the Programs Commmittee, and took a lead role to represent the student voice at Trekkers’ biggest organizational fundraiser of the year, Fired Up. Felton departs having contributed to a year-long campaign to gather and share Trekkers’ history and has provided dedicated leadership to the 30th Anniversary Committee.
Trekkers is grateful for the dedication of both new and departing members. The team is excited to welcome new leadership as it continues to commit to serving the evolving needs of youth and eagerly anticipates its next phase with the creation of its new campus.
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