Camden National Bank has announced the recipients of its 2025 Leaders & Luminaries Awards, recognizing exceptional nonprofit board members who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their communities.

"In celebration of the Bank’s 150th year of building a legacy of trust, innovation, and service, seven inspiring board members who share these values will be awarded a total of $29,000 in unrestricted funding to the organizations they serve—celebrating their meaningful impact," said Camden National, in a news release.

Since the program’s inception in 2011, Camden National Bank has awarded $293,000 to 75 nonprofits through its Leaders & Luminaries Awards.

This year marked the inaugural inclusion of both Maine and New Hampshire nonprofits, resulting in a record number of nominations, making the selection process more competitive than ever. The submissions reflected countless stories of dedicated individuals making extraordinary contributions as stewards of positive change in their communities. 

“Nonprofits can only thrive if they have dedicated leaders who give their time, expertise, and unwavering dedication to drive the missions forward,” said Renée Smyth, Chief Experience and Marketing Officer at Camden National Bank. “We’re proud to celebrate our honorees who demonstrate how powerful board leadership can be when passion meets purpose, inspiring meaningful, lasting change.” 

Camden National Bank’s independent selection committee narrowed the pool of over 120 nominations down to five Leaders & Luminaries Award winners. Each will receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant for their nonprofit organization. Camden National Bank is also recognizing two Spotlight Award winners with inspiring stories, who will receive a $2,000 grant. Donations were funded through the bank’s private charitable foundation, The Bank of Maine Foundation.

2025 Leaders & Luminaries Award Winners:

Annie Watson, Board Member, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (Unity, Maine)

Since joining the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s (MOFGA) Board of Directors in 2016, Annie Watson has championed farm viability, shaped strategic responses to industry challenges—including the 2021 Horizon Dairy contract crisis—and helped launch the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership. Annie has also served as President of the Maine Dairy Industry Association, contributed to numerous state and federal advisory committees, and delivered the keynote at MOFGA’s 2024 Common Ground Country Fair, inspiring the next generation of organic farmers. Her leadership combines practical farm experience with strategic vision, ensuring a sustainable future for Maine’s organic dairy industry. 

Kate Borduas, Board President, Scarborough Public Library (Scarborough, Maine)

Scarborough Public Library’s mission is to provide access to a broad and deep collection and high-quality services that promote lifelong learning in a welcoming, community-centered facility. Kate Borduas’s lifelong love of learning began in a small branch library in London, inspiring her decades-long commitment to the Scarborough Public Library (SPL). As a three-term Board President and longtime patron, she has championed the library as a vital community resource, ensuring access to books, technology, and programs for all residents. Even during personal challenges, Kate has remained dedicated to SPL, guided by her belief that libraries are democratic equalizers and essential connective tissue for the town’s diverse community. 

Don House, President Emeritus, Belknap House (Laconia, New Hampshire)

Belknap House aims to provide homeless families in Belknap County with a safe place to stay while helping them gain independence and self-sufficiency through education and access to local resources.  Don House, a retired program management and strategic planning professional, has dedicated his leadership and volunteer expertise to addressing homelessness in Laconia, NH. As a board member of Belknap House, he led the development of a strategic plan and authored an expansion business plan that secured the organization’s largest donation to date. This funding enabled the acquisition and renovation of a second facility, BH2, doubling the shelter’s capacity and providing families with a transitional, independent-living environment. Through his vision and hands-on leadership, he has helped Belknap House expand its impact, offering families the support and skills they need to achieve long-term housing stability. 

Jordan Stanwood, Board President, Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center (Ellsworth, Maine)

The Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center offers hope, knowledge & support to cancer patients & families. Jordan Stanwood turned her experience as a young cancer survivor into impactful leadership. Her deep passion for this effort expanded access to care, strengthened the Center’s foundation, and guided initiatives like the opening of a new Washington County location, ensuring no one faces cancer alone. Jordan’s personal journey fuels her dedication to the Center’s mission, inspiring hope, compassion, and support for patients and families throughout the community. 

Kristin Valdmanis, Board Member, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (Portland, Maine)

Kristin Valdmanis, with dual master’s degrees in early childhood education and extensive experience as a teacher and nursery school founder, brings deep expertise and passion for interactive learning to the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM). Joining the Board in 2017, she quickly rose to Board President in 2020, guiding the organization through the construction and opening of its new $15M Thompson’s Point facility amid the challenges of a global pandemic. Under her strategic and steady leadership, Kristin ensured financial stability, oversaw construction, and drove the creation of CMTM’s first strategic plan, mission, and values. Her dedication to inclusivity and access has helped the museum grow visitation from 100,000 to over 200,000 children and families annually, ensuring that every child can experience CMTM’s STEM, arts, and cultural programming.  

Additionally, the bank granted two Spotlight Awards, both having unique stories and a strong commitment to their communities.

The first Spotlight Award was presented to Beth Ann Barrett, Board Chair, of The Friendly Kitchen in Concord, New Hampshire. Beth Ann’s leadership has expanded the organization’s reach beyond downtown, including the creation of the Family Friendly Meals Program, which delivers meals to families and seniors in Concord, NH. Through her vision, commitment, and hands-on approach, Beth Ann has helped grow the program to serve over 100 families each week, extending The Friendly Kitchen's mission into the broader community. 

The second Spotlight Award was presented to Penny Kittle, founder of the Book Love Foundation in North Conway, New Hampshire. Penny, an experienced educator and author of Book Love, founded the organization in 2012. The Foundation provides grants to supply books for classroom libraries, reaching over 500 teachers in 48 states and 10 Canadian provinces, and has raised more than $1 million.  Her leadership has empowered teachers to become leaders in their schools and strengthened literacy instruction, ensuring students everywhere have access to engaging reading experiences. 

For more information on the Leaders & Luminaries Program, click here. 

Camden National Corporation (NASDAQ: CAC) is Northern New England's largest publicly traded bank holding company, with $7.0 billion in assets. Founded in 1875, Camden National Bank, with 72 banking centers in Maine and New Hampshire, is a full-service community bank offering the latest digital banking services, complemented by award-winning, personalized support. Additional information is available at CamdenNational.bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. 

Comprehensive wealth management, investment, and financial planning services are delivered by Camden National Wealth Management.