It is with pleasure that we share some exciting role changes within our program team at Maine Boys to Men.
Chris Kelleher is shifting to a new role as the first ever Training Institute Program Manager. He will begin to assume full lead over our Modern Masculinity Training Institute expansion, including marketing, development, and delivery. Chris’s extensive work experience over the past seven years with Maine Boys to Men positions him well to lead this program growth. Chris is a trusted and highly respected member of the Maine community. Expansion work is not new to Chris; since 2015, he has assisted as we have grown to include collaboration with various at-risk and in-risk service providers in Portland. In addition, over the last three years, he has developed and delivered new programming in collaboration with the New Mainer community.
Chris says, “The work that we do as a team is so close to my heart and I am pleased to be able to share our programming with an ever-expanding reach of communities. Ending gender-based violence and working towards equality and safety for all in communities continues to be a passion of mine. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such an amazing team as we look collectively towards the future and growth of this important organization.”
Danny Mejia will lead our program team as the new Program Director. While at college, Danny became committed to the work of ending male violence, leading a weekly men’s discussion group on topics of masculinity affecting the community. Soon he began working with Maine Boys to Men as a summer intern and his research informed the development of our middle and high school programming. Upon graduation, he became a program facilitator, and then joined us full time as a program specialist. Danny has led our Coaches and Educators trainings and Youth Advisory Council and he played a key role over the last year in shifting our programming to online delivery. Danny is a strategic thinker and can problem solve with ease. He is uniquely capable of delivering quality programming in the present while simultaneously envisioning the future, making him a great fit for our ever-evolving programs.
Danny says, “I have seen firsthand the impact our programming has on young people and i 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 what masculinity is and isn’t, we can encourage boys and men to step away from harmful gender stereotypes and create safer communities for all. I am energized to grow our programming and continue our invaluable work!”
Maine Boys to Men is grateful to both Chris Kelleher and Danny Mejia for their willingness to step forward and lead impactful programming and for their courageous commitment to ending male violence and self-harm.