LEWISTON — YWCA Central Maine Chief Executive Officer Melanie LaMore Gagnon, board Chairwoman Karen Hayden and board secretary Jennifer Hogan were nominated this past year to participate in the recent Maine Community Foundation’s Leadership Learning Exchange for Equity.

The experience involved a series of powerful conversations among white Maine leaders reflecting on racism, whiteness and racial equity. Each cohort included for-profit business leaders, nonprofit/education leaders, and government officials.

“As a leader in the state and one that leads an organization focused on eliminating racism, I’m in a unique position to influence the lives of those we serve and help define our own workplace culture” Gagnon said.

YWCA Central Maine leadership joins more than 120 private and public sector Maine leaders who have participated in Leadership Learning Exchange for Equity.