Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS), an organization focused on character education through outdoor expeditions, welcomes Joanna Benoit as its new Development Director. In this role, Benoit will work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to strengthen and expand philanthropic support, build meaningful donor relationships, and lead the organization’s fundraising strategy to support its mission and scholarship initiatives. 

Benoit brings more than a decade of experience in development, grants management, and mission-driven leadership. Most recently, she served as Grants, Finance, and Administration Manager at FocusMaine, where she helped guide fundraising strategy and financial oversight for a multimillion-dollar nonprofit organization. Prior to that, she served as Grant Project Director and Principal Investigator with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health, where she managed a $17 million federal grant and led complex, multi-agency funding collaborations. 

Her career also includes experience in nonprofit program management, community partnerships, and sustainable food and farm systems. Throughout her work, Benoit has demonstrated a commitment to building strong relationships, aligning funding with mission-driven impact, and strengthening systems to support long-term organizational growth.  

“I was drawn to Hurricane Island Outward Bound School because it reflects the values that have guided my career—public service, resilience, and stewardship of ourselves, one another, and the natural world,” said Benoit, in a Hurricane Island news release. “I believe HIOBS strengthens the health of our communities by helping individuals build the confidence and self-awareness to meet challenges, reflect meaningfully, and form authentic connections.” 

She added, “At a time when many people are seeking connection, purpose, and resilience, the organization's work feels more relevant and important than ever. The opportunity to support experiences that help people develop confidence, leadership, empathy, and a deeper connection to each other and the natural world, qualities they carry far beyond their program experience, is incredibly meaningful to me.” 

In addition to overseeing HIOBS’s fundraising initiatives, Benoit will focus on growing partnerships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors, and she will help advance strategic priorities that expand access to Outward Bound experiences. 

“Joanna brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to this work and a strong commitment to community,” said Eric Denny, Executive Director of Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. “She has a real ability to connect people to purpose and to build the kind of relationships that sustain this work over time. Combined with her passion for outdoor education, she’s a great fit for HIOBS, and we’re excited to have her on the team.” 

A resident of Freeport, Benoit is actively involved in her community and currently serves as a Councilor At-Large and Chair of the Freeport Town Council. She is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Maine program, further reflecting her commitment to civic engagement and leadership development.  

“One of the things I love most about living in Maine is the strong sense of community and the way people show up for one another,” said Benoit. “That same spirit drives HIOBS’s work, and I’m excited to help more people access the transformative experiences Outward Bound makes possible.”

Founded in 1964 as Outward Bound’s first sea-based school, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) is a non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages through challenging wilderness expeditions in Maine, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Bahamas. As one of nine independent Outward Bound Schools in the U.S., HIOBS is one of the top educational brands in the nation, focusing on character development, leadership, and service. To learn more, visit www.outwardbound.org/hiobs.