Molly Woodward (center) accepts her award from Garvan Donegan (left) and Kimberly Lindlof (right) of CMGC.
WATERVILLE – Central Maine Growth Council and KV Connect are proud to present their annual Emerging Leader award to Mrs. Molly Woodward, director of business development at New Dimensions Federal Credit Union and president of KV Connect, the young professionals’ group of mid-Maine. The award was presented at Central Maine Growth Council’s Annual Meeting Celebration, sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank, MaineGeneral Health, and Northern Light Inland Hospital.
Molly moved from Burlington, ME to Waterville to attend Thomas College; while studying, she became immersed in the local business community through an internship with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Her passion for collaboration and mastery of relationship-building made her indispensable to both the business and non-profit sectors of the region, and she quickly built a career in finance while serving on boards of community service organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Lion’s Club, and KV Connect.
During Molly’s summer internship with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, she distinguished herself as a go-getter,” explains Kimberly Lindlof, president and CEO of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and executive director of Central Maine Growth Council. “Molly’s passion is contagious; her upbeat attitude inspires others to get involved.”
As a longtime member and current president of KV Connect, Molly steered the young professionals’ organization from a small group of four members to the robust, active group it is today. Now a successful host of the GreenDrinks event series, the organization is poised for continued growth and expansion of its programming, including a new food gleaning community service project. Molly has been at the center of the organization’s growth, and her vision for KV Connect has created a community that encourages young professionals to stay in mid-Maine. She explains, “I love the camaraderie – it’s ours. We do this. It gives us a part of the growth in Waterville.”
“Molly excels in cultivating community for those who are new or returning to mid-Maine,” states Garvan D. Donegan, director of planning and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council. “Unlike many other rural municipalities in Maine, Waterville has experienced approximately 6% growth in its population within the past eight years, and under Molly’s leadership, KV Connect has been a pivotal organization in the recruitment and retention of young professionals to the region.”
Central Maine Growth Council thanks Molly Woodward for her valuable contributions to the region and looks forward to future projects from 2019’s emerging leader.
Last modified: December 10, 2019
