Speaker: Yellow Light Breen, President & CEO, Maine Development Foundation
Leadership: Intangible. Elusive. Indispensable. Maine Development Foundation has almost 40 years of experience convening, developing, and catalyzing leadership from state policymakers and CEOs down to local downtowns. How do we use research, analysis, and experiential learning to drive collaborative action? How do we use cross-sector partnerships to advance substantial issues? How do we maintain optimism in challenging times?
Yellow Light Breen’s passion is promoting economic and educational opportunity for all Mainers regardless of geography or background. He became CEO of the Maine Development Foundation in August 2015, where he develops strategic direction, integration, and partnerships across MDF’s mission and programs. Yellow is a sought-after public speaker with a diverse background in business, public policy, and law. He spent twelve years as an executive with Bangor Savings Bank, overseeing strategic planning, marketing, online banking, community development, and charitable activities. Prior, he was a senior official at the Maine Department of Education and an advisor to Independent Governor Angus King. Yellow was born and raised in rural, central Maine, a product of Maine public schools, and earned undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University. He has been an active volunteer in many education and economic development efforts, including the boards of the Maine Community Foundation and Educate Maine. He previously served on the MDF Board and chaired Realize Maine, an ongoing initiative to attract, retain, and support young professionals. Yellow lives in Holden and loves to hike, swim, and ski with his wife and children.