2023 Innovate for Maine Fellows
Nine Maine Business School students are participating in the 2023 Innovate for Maine Fellows program this summer. This internship program through the UMaine Foster Center for Innovation has been pairing students with innovative and growing companies since 2012. Emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship, Innovate for Maine prepares student fellows to collaborate with companies on innovation projects that accelerate company growth and give students a paid, meaningful, hands-on internship experience.
Let’s meet the 2023 Innovate for Maine cohort:
Nathan Curtis
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Richmond, Maine
Expected Graduation: December 2023
Internship Placement: Juneberry/Tree Free Heat, LLC, dedicated to designing and manufacturing high-quality, environmentally-friendly modern goods for small outdoor spaces. Based in Portland.
According to Nathan:
Best part about Maine: The gorgeous Maine outdoors.
What is something unexpected about you: I’m really into aqua scaping (fancy fish tanks).
Describe yourself in three words: Fun. Energetic. Eager.
Greatest accomplishment: Becoming an Eagle Scout.
Mariam Diallo
Majors: Marketing and Sustainable Agriculture
Hometown: Bamako, Mali
Expected Graduation: 2025
Internship Placement: Wildwood Oyster Co. is a handbag and accessory company based in Portland.
According to Mariam:
Best part about Maine: Maine is a beautiful place with a beautiful forestial and coastal landscape. A quiet and peaceful place where I can go for an endless run or walk in the summer. I love the sense of community I have on campus and where I live.
What is something unexpected about you? I love sport car racing.
Describe yourself in three words: Creative. Outspoken. Clever.
Biggest accomplishment: My biggest achievement is that I am learning to speak fluently and conversationally in five languages.
Marissa Espinosa
Major: Management
Hometown: Shelbyville, Kentucky
Expected Graduation: 2025
Internship Placement: The Devil’s Half Acre Distillery is the state’s only military veteran-owned and operated distillery. Based in Hermon.
According to Marissa:
Best part about Maine? The Navy brought me to Maine, and so far my favorite part has been the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with.
What is something unexpected about you? I worked in politics for six years, working for Congress and my state legislature.
Describe yourself in three words: Outgoing. Hardworking. Personable.
Greatest accomplishment: Each career I’ve had has had a significant accomplishment that I’m proud of. One I am particularly proud of when working for Congress was assisting a family through an international adoption and bringing their child home to the U.S. after a 7-year battle with a foreign government.
Annika Gil
Majors: Management and Business Information Systems & Security Management
Hometown: Augusta, Maine
Expected Graduation: 2024
Internship Placement: GenoTyping Center of America provides fast and accurate genetic testing and colony planning services to accelerate preclinical and drug discovery research and improve laboratory animal welfare. Based in Ellsworth.
According to Annika:
Best part about Maine? Nowhere else is as quiet and clean.
What is something unexpected about you? I have a twin.
Describe yourself in three words: Determined. Honest. Attentive.
Greatest accomplishment: I’m a Lead Community Assistant at UMaine.
Mia Graci
Major: Marketing
Minor: Ecology and Environmental Science
Hometown: Pennsylvania
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Internship Placement: The Maine Tasting Center brings people together around Maine’s food ecosystem. Based in Wiscasset.
According to Mia:
Best part about Maine: I love that I am able to feel a deep connection to nature through living in Maine.
What is something unexpected about you? I am an experienced baker and love to decorate baked goods.
Describe yourself in three words: Authentic. Creative. Proactive.
Biggest accomplishment: I have owned and run a small business since 2017.
Ellie Nash
Majors: Marketing and Management
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Falmouth, Maine
Expected Graduation: 2024
Internship Placement: Marin Skincare is a company that utilizes regenerative lobster glycoproteins to treat eczema and various skin conditions. Based in Portland.
According to Ellie:
Best part about Maine? I love the sense of community and the tranquility the state of Maine offers.
What is something unexpected about you? I like to refurbish furniture and sell the pieces.
Describe yourself in three words: Determined. Brave. Confident.
Greatest accomplishment: I haven’t achieved my greatest accomplishment yet, but I’m setting myself up academically. With an excellent work ethic, I’ll be able to tackle any goal I set for myself.
Nick Poulin
Major: MBA
Hometown: Augusta, Maine
Expected Graduation: 2025
Internship Placements: Dream Local Digital is a digital marketing agency in Rockland, Maine. Portland Downtown is a nonprofit Downtown Improvement District.
According to Nick:
Best part about Maine? The natural beauty is unprecedented.
What is something unexpected about you? During my free time, I enjoy baking.
Describe yourself in three words: Analytical. Sympathetic. Dedicated.
Greatest accomplishment: My biggest achievement is gaining the ability to learn and adapt to any situation.
Sara Tran
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Hometown: Da Nang, Vietnam
Expected Graduation: 2025
Internship Placement: Tootie’s Tempeh is a worker-owned cooperative that innovates tempeh by making and packaging it sustainably. Based in Biddeford, Maine.
According to Sara:
Best part about Maine? The people and nature.
What is something unexpected about you? I make friends easily.
Describe yourself in three words: Sociable. Responsible. Ambitious.
Greatest accomplishment: Setting goals for myself and achieving them successfully.
Hannah Wood
Majors: Marketing and Management
Hometown: Ashland, Massachusetts
Expected Graduation: 2024
Internship Placement: True North Beauty is a cosmetics company that utilizes natural ingredients to create luxurious skincare products. Based in Milo.
According to Hannah:
Best part about Maine: Being outdoors in nature.
What is something unexpected about you? I’ve worked in a handful of education jobs and am really good with kids.
Describe yourself in three words: Motivated. Talkative. Creative.
Biggest accomplishment: I received a promotion at my job at Lifetime Athletics within the first month and supervised a team of 12.