The New Hope Midcoast Board of Directors at its October meeting voted Sarah Milstead Post of Owls Head as its new president and welcomed three new board members, Des Fitzgerald and Cheryl Ayer of Rockport and Susan Coe of Belfast.

Post takes the helm from longtime president Vera Roberts, who will be stepping down from the board in 2025. During her more than 10 years of service, Roberts led a major rebranding effort and oversaw the development of a new strategic plan for the midcoast’s Domestic Violence Resource Center serving Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties.

“Vera’s foresight, insight and oversight were always at work, providing the perfect combination of support, guidance and autonomy,” said Executive Director Rebekah Paredes. “During her term, Board members left meetings feeling energized and positive. They knew their work would give our advocates the support necessary to help individuals and families in our communities find safety and hope for the future.”

Looking forward, Post hopes to help lead the organization through the implementation and action phases of the strategic plan developed last year, prioritizing boosting engagement in local communities and advances in domestic abuse interventions.

In the 18 years she spent with Maine nonprofits, Post gained invaluable experience working with boards to set goals and develop strategic plans. She saw firsthand the impact engaged people could make when they took the time to thoughtfully tackle big issues and ideas. She currently works as a permitting specialist at Gartley and Dorsky Engineering and Surveying in Camden and also serves on the RSU 13 school board.

“Knowing that New Hope Midcoast is there for people when they need it inspires me the most,” said Post. “Surviving domestic violence is not a linear path for most people, so having a place and people to trust, who do not judge, can be invaluable in helping a person break free from domestic violence.”

Des Fitzgerald joins the board after serving as a Helpline volunteer for New Hope Midcoast for the last four years. Fitzgerald founded Ducktrap River Farm in Belfast and has served on the boards of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership and the Maine Venture Fund.

Through his business and board experience, he brings expertise in strategic thinking to his role with New Hope Midcoast.

“I’m impressed by the good work being done by this organization, which is filling a dire need in our communities,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the service our advocates provide and hope my perspective can enhance all aspects of the organization’s mission.”

After a long career in business and marketing management at IBM, Susan Coe turned her attention to programming for the homeless, particularly those escaping domestic abuse. She previously worked at Casa Myrna, Boston’s leading nonprofit delivering solutions to end domestic and dating violence. In Maine, Coe has worked with the Waldo County Homeless Coalition and the Greater Bay Area Ministerium and volunteers with the Unitarian Universalist church in Belfast. She brings vast experience in social services and business management to her new role and looks forward to serving on the Communications Committee.

“I am inspired by the work ethic of New Hope Midcoast’s employees and volunteers, always jumping in behind new programming and topics,” she said. “The organization’s resilience and the work it has done to adapt to the needs of today’s multi-cultured, multi-gender clients and communities is so impressive.”

Cheryl B. Ayer returns to New Hope Midcoast after serving as the organization’s staff attorney for 16 years. Inspired by the hard work of the staff and volunteers to eradicate domestic violence, she’s looking forward to putting her institutional knowledge and broader organizational experience to work.

“As a board member, I hope to help secure more funding to support the mission, raise awareness about the existing systems that perpetuate the perceived need for control, and erase the social stigma associated with intra-familial violence,” Ayers said.

Board members provide mission leadership, financial oversight and implementation guidance for the strategic plan. “Our board is well-positioned to offer strong and consistent guidance as we enter year two of our strategic plan,” said Paredes. “Our focus over the next fiscal year will be on strengthening our relationships with our healthcare and law enforcement partners, developing clearer pathways for survivors as they grapple with their options, and boosting our long-term sustainability with a stronger fundraising program.”

New Hope Midcoast helps individuals and families create pathways to safety and supports a more just and effective response to domestic abuse through education and empowerment.