Who We Are

Our Staff, Interns & Contractors

Eli Durand McDonnell

Eli Durand McDonnell

Contractor

Eli Durand McDonnell is a past intern that now works as a Contractor. During his internship he was especially involved with Youth Advisory Council, where he enjoyed finding ways to support young leaders as they tackle issues of masculinity, healthy relationships, and violence prevention. He also helped with our Men Connect for New Mainers program. He says, “I am particularly drawn to these programs because they center community-based approaches to gender-based violence prevention and help support direct stakeholders to create change within their own communities.”  Outside of Maine Boys to Men, Eli is likely pulling weeds in the garden, paddling his canoe, or spending another luckless afternoon fly fishing.

Eli is a white cis man who uses he/him/his pronouns.

Megan Elliott

Development Manager

Megan has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly twenty years, including in various development roles for several Maine organizations. On the Maine Boys to Men team, she has helped broaden funding opportunities that have enabled us to expand programming across the entire state. 

Megan lives with her family in Cumberland and spends much of her free time trying to keep up with her two kids. Megan uses she/her pronouns.

Email Megan at megan @ maineboystomen.org.

Kelsey Gillespie

Kelsey Gillespie

Contractor

Kelsey (she/her) is currently a graduate student at the University of New England. Her internship at Maine Boys to Men was part of her master’s degree in social work, and she now helps with our program deliveries as a Contractor as needed. During her internship, Kelsey worked with our Youth Advisory Council and their podcast “The Youth Take.” She also helped to co-facilitate workshops for middle and high school students.

Kelsey says, “The discussions at Youth Council are always thought-provoking and educational. I love hearing each student’s perspective on topics like masculinity, gender, and healthy relationships.”

When Kelsey is not in school, she holds a job in HR. She also enjoy swimming, doing yoga, and going on adventurous walks with my dog while listening to true crime podcasts.

Chris Kelleher

Contractor

Chris began his work with the organization in 2015, leading the Boys Outdoor Leadership (BOLD) summer program. Chris says, “Working with MBTM has offered me the opportunity for continued personal growth and the chance to connect in deep and meaningful ways with communities all across Maine. I love working with groups and co-creating spaces where we feel safe showing up as our authentic selves, spaces where we can explore difficult topics while pushing our edges of vulnerability on the path to ending gender-based violence.”

Chris loves to find connection and adventure in the natural world; he travels deep into the mountains to find rocks to climb. In rock climbing, Chris finds “grounding and serenity so that I can show up as the best version of myself for the individuals and communities that we engage with.”

Chris graduated with a BS from the University of New Hampshire, majoring in outdoor education with a minor in therapeutic recreation. Chris lives in Freeport. He is a white cis male who uses he, him pronouns.

Bruce+King

Bruce King

Executive Director

Bruce is an activist, advocate, and public speaker who has covered a host of issues around the state and nationally. A Mexican-American with an array of lived experience, Bruce has worked in various capacities serving vulnerable populations and communities. He currently serves on the board of Maine Equal Justice and is a commissioner on Maine’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations. Prior to joining Maine Boys to Men, Bruce was the Co-Executive Director of Maine Inside Out, an organization that uses theatre for social change in schools, prisons, and in the community.
 
He says, “I am so excited to step into this role with Maine Boys to Men. The work of this organization is crucial at this moment in time. I’m a deep believer that preventing the root causes of violence is the most prudent and and important solution to mitigating harm. To be able to build upon the strong foundation that already exists at Maine Boys to Men is such a privilege. I can’t wait to meet many of you along the way.”
 
Bruce currently resides in Brunswick where he lives with his two young daughters.
 
Email Bruce at bruce@maineboystomen.org.
copy

Becca May

Intern

Hi! My name is Becca May (she/her) and I am the current Maine Boys To Men intern. During my time here I am going to be primarily involved with our High School RSVP program, which I am very excited about. I am personally interested in community-based solutions to harm reduction and believe the work MBTM is doing is a critical piece of that puzzle. I’m grateful for the opportunity to explore the expansiveness of our individual identities with the folks who attend our programming and collaborate around ways to build a more liberatory future!If I’m not at MBTM, school, or work, I am most likely on an adventure with my pup, Linus, connecting with friends, or grabbing a meal/show around Portland with my partner.

Danny Mejia

Program Director

Danny began working with Maine Boys to Men during a summer internship in 2016, conducting research on similar organizations and their successes with middle and high school programming around healthy masculinities. Upon graduation, he moved into the role of facilitator for the middle school Reducing Sexism and Violence Program (RSVP®); he also worked with the high school RSVP® program. Danny helped to develop our Educators and Coaches training. Currently, Danny is responsible for the development and management of our programs, as well as supporting the whole team. 

Danny says, “I’ve seen firsthand the impact our programming has on young people, and remain committed to reducing gender-based violence in our community, specifically male-violence towards self and others. I believe that through a broader understanding of masculinity, we can encourage everyone to be whoever they choose to be and create safety for all.”

When Danny is not working on programs, he runs, hikes, and plays pickle ball at the Eastern Prom tennis courts. Danny graduated from Bowdoin College with a bachelor of arts in sociology. He currently resides in Portland. Danny identifies as an Hispanic cis man and uses he/him pronouns.

Email Danny at danny @ maineboystomen.org.

Guy Mpoyi

Guy Mpoyi Tshitoko

Contractor

Guy Mpoyi Tshitoko is a contractor for Maine Boys to Men since 2019, facilitating violence-prevention groups of immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking men with the Men Connect for New Mainers program. This work involves discussing complex issues of masculinity, healthy relationships, self-care, and identity and draws on Guy’s extensive experience in community-based work.

Additionally, Guy serves as a transportation leader for the Mobility for All campaign of the Greater Portland Council of Government (GPCOG). In this role, Guy advocates for accessible transportation for the immigrant community, and serves as a member of the project advisory committee for “Connect 2045” and as a bus ambassador owner. He is a community garden assistant, helping to cultivate community works to give people with low income in access to food in the Portland area. Guy speaks and reads English, French, Lingala, and Swahili.

Mark Priceman

Training Institute Program Manager

Mark joined Maine Boys to Men in 2023 as the Training Institute Program Manager, where he helps oversee the development, expansion, and facilitation of MBTM’s Training Institutes across the state of Maine and into the Boston area.
Mark says “I’m excited to be working for an organization whose mission I truly believe in and I’m grateful to be part of a team of people who share that mission and are working hard to help make our community a safer, more understanding place.”
Mark graduated from Indiana University with a BA in journalism and a minor in music. He currently resides in Yarmouth with his wife and two daughters. Mark identifies as a white cis man and uses he/him/his pronouns.

Email Mark at mark@maineboystomen.org.

Heidi Randall

Executive Director Emeritus, Volunteer

Heidi Randall served as program director from 2017 to 2021 and as executive director from 2021 until 2024. Heidi brings over 26 years of upper management experience within the for-profit and nonprofit sectors in Maine, having served in multiple gender-based violence organizations, with budgets of up to $1.5 million annually, as program director, associate director, and interim executive director. Heidi has gained extensive experience developing, delivering, and administering social change programming while working for Safe Voices, the Lower Hutt Domestic Violence Task Force, the Violence Against Women Act Measuring Effectiveness Initiative (VAWA MEI), and the Maine Youth Action Network, as well as Maine Boys to Men.

Heidi has worked in the fields of family violence, sexual assault and youth engagement in Vermont, Maine, and New Zealand. Before joining Maine Boys to Men, Heidi created a youth engagement program that spanned all of Maine, serving diverse communities and promoting adult and community partnerships with young people. In her work, Heidi facilitated youth-identified and youth-led social change projects.

Heidi says, “For me, among the best things about MBTM is collaboration. Our team and our board design and support the programs we create to end male violence. Our community of schools, parents, youth, and youth-serving adults bring the work into people’s lives and communities—and that’s where learning and change happen.”

Heidi resides in Cumberland with her husband, Mark, and their daughter, Dylan. She identifies as a white, cis female and uses she/her pronouns.

Race1 (1)

Jake Roberts

Boot Camp for New Dads Facilitator

Jake has been facilitating  our Boot Camp for New Dads workshop since 2012, helping expectant fathers in the community become better prepared and more confident as they embark on their parenthood journey.

Jake says “Boot Camp for New Dads helps expectant dads prepare for some of the things our family and friends don’t have experience with or may not be comfortable talking about. It is THE perfect place to ask all of the questions you’ve been wanting to ask, and have it answered by “Veteran” dads who are actually doing it.”

In his spare time, Jake enjoys anything that involves spending time with family and friends outdoors: coaching, sports, gardening, or just relaxing.

Jake resides in Berwick, ME, with his son Luc and daughter Maia.

Taryn Walker

Taryn Walker

Contractor

Taryn Walker jumped right in, facilitating our high school programs around Southern Maine. She is excited to bring RSVP® to groups of young people ready to engage in the important conversations and learnings that the curriculum addresses.

Taryn says, “I love working with groups to create change.When I am not facilitating with Maine Boys to Men programming, I run an AirBNB in my home and have my own company, To Walk Your Talk Travel, where I create and lead cross-cultural trips around the world. I’m still not entirely sure what this will look like since COVID, but I am eager to find out. After a lifetime of moving and living all over the United States, I have found a place in Maine to put down roots.”

Taryn loves spending time in nature, by the ocean, and with her dog Tucker.

Austin Winchester

Program Manager

Austin is thrilled to join Maine Boys to Men as the Training Manager. He is currently a graduate student at Lesley University where he is studying for his masters of arts in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in drama therapy. He has seven years experience facilitating for youth and young adults, most recently as an educator and mentor at Kieve Wavus Education (KWE) where he taught social–emotional learning for grades 1 through 8. 

Throughout the years, Austin developed a keen interest in providing a space for youth to expand their understanding of themselves, their peers, and how to work through conflict in more creative, nonviolent ways. He is grateful for the opportunity to deepen this work at MBTM and to join a courageous and compassionate team dedicated to empowering youth and ending gender-based violence and self-harm. He also hopes to bring his expertise and love of the theater to the organization by providing creative arts-based activities as a means for youth to explore and expand perspectives of masculinity. 

When Austin is not working, he enjoys working out, getting outside, playing music, writing poetry, and working on a more consistent meditation practice. Once a working actor in Atlanta and NYC, he now resides in Gorham with his two very good friends and their dog. Austin identifies as a white, cis man and uses he/him pronouns.

Our Board of Directors

Miles Archer

President

Vice President, Internal Audit at Unum
Falmouth, ME

Miles moved to Maine in 1997 to attend the University of Maine School of Law. After law school, Miles held several in-house counsel and management positions within the Unum law department prior to moving into his current role as vice president, internal audit, in 2015. In addition to his law degree, Miles holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo State and a certificate in executive management development from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Jennifer, a Maine district court judge, reside in Falmouth with their son and daughter.

Miles says, “I am inspired to work with MB2M because I’m committed to supporting gender equity. Our programming changes the hearts and minds of the people we touch. It helps shape the future of our youth and empowers them to create communities of equity and respect for all. My work with MB2M also creates a personal reward and has helped me become a better son, brother, husband, father, and person.”

Miles is a white, cis gender male who uses the pronouns he/him/his.

 

Kyle Burnett

Treasurer

AVP, Corporate Strategy & Development at UNUM

Kyle is pleased to bring his experience in finance and strategy to Maine Boys to Men. Kyle has consulted to executive teams across industries at both public and privately held companies. Additionally, he has a history of helping teams navigate new opportunities and solve complex problems. He is excited to use these skills to guide Maine Boys to Men as it expands its mission. 

April Bushey

Secretary

April’s bio coming soon!

Michael Griswold

Board Member

Physical Education Teacher
Winthrop Public Schools

Michael Griswold is a seasoned leader who shares diverse experiences working in nonprofit leadership, municipalities, public schools, and outdoor and camping administration. Michael was first introduced to Maine Boys to Men in 2016 and immediately became involved with the organization, attending various adult workshops. He is currently a trained facilitator for the RSVP® program. Michael is always seeking new ways to broaden the reach and spread awareness of Maine Boys to Men within the communities he serves.

As a husband and a father to three children, Michael hopes to lead people in all walks of life in courageously engaging with and helping to change the narrative of masculine culture in today’s society.  Michael currently resides in Winthrop, Maine.

Ken Holmes

Ken Holmes

Board Member

Senior Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications
United Way of Southern Maine

Ken graduated from Binghamton University with a master’s degree in public administration and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. Ken has worked in the nonprofit industry for his entire career, including at multiple United Ways, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of NYS, the Rural Health Network of South Central NY, and the Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies Project, where he co-founded the youth empowerment organization “Fresh Cycles.” Ken moved to Maine in 2014 with his partner, Angela. They now live in Portland with a daughter in preschool.

Ken says, “I watched a video clip at a recent MB2M training that showed elementary aged boys on a playground and the unbelievable amount of gender-related pressure that’s put on little kids to act a certain way. I’m inspired by a future where the playground is full of kids allowed to be their authentic selves, not pressured to act certain ways. And I’m inspired by the future for those kids too, able to grow up with a full range of empathy, better equipped to deal with the challenges of life. 

Harry Kimball

Board Member

Harry works as a public education, brand marketing, and communications consultant. He also recently served as director of marketing and communications at the nonprofit Child Mind Institute in New York City and held the Interim Executive Director role at Maine Boys to Men during our recent search for a new leader. He holds a BA in American history and literature from Harvard University and is pursuing an MPH at the CUNY School of Public Health.

Upon learning about Maine Boys to Men, Harry was struck by the power of an approach to violence prevention that also provides young people with an emotional education. Prior to joining the board, he completed an introductory course and the Training Institute.

Harry identifies as a white, cis man and uses he/him pronouns. 

Chris Lyon

Board Member

SVP & Director of Corporate Impact, Androscoggin Bank

Chris has lead culture and impact work in multiple mission based organizations. His
goal is to help organizations chart a path towards fulfillment of their mission, vision and
values to benefit all stakeholders. Chris brings extensive community service and non-profit
experience with him. He currently serves as a Director on Androscoggin Bank’s
MainStreet Foundation and as Steward & Learning Team Member with White Men for
Racial Justice.

Since moving to Maine in 2021, Chris has admired Maine Boys to Men’s work in the
community, “With so much of my work, I’ve seen the outcomes of a system and culture
that doesn’t appropriately support the healthy development of our youth. I’m honored to
be supporting an organization that understands how important it is to empower our
youth to disrupt the norms and perspectives that lead to sexism and gendered
violence.”

Chris Lives in Scarborough with his husband, Brendan, and his dog and cat. He enjoys
running, biking and being outdoors. Chris uses he/him/his pronouns.

David Phelps

Portfolio Manager, Spinnaker Trust

David has worked as a finance and accounting professional in the Greater Portland area since
moving to Maine in 2017. David works as a Portfolio Manager for Spinnaker Trust, advising
clients on wealth planning and investment strategy. He enjoys helping people and organizations
solve complex problems and navigate the complexities of the financial world. He is excited to
use his skill set to help Maine Boys to Men achieve its goals and help shape the future of
Maine’s youth.

Nick Whiston

Vice President

Portland, ME

Nick Whiston (he/him/his) currently serves as the program director at The Telling Room, a creative writing nonprofit in Portland. He also works as a realtor in the greater Portland area. Prior to joining the board of Maine Boys to Men, Nick attended multiple trainings with the organization, and he has been a member of the program committee for over a year. As someone who has always been passionate about expanding the way we think about masculinity, Nick cares deeply about the work of Maine Boys to Men.