ABOUT US

emily.sowles@maine.edu 

President

Em Sowles

Em (they/she) is a fourth year graduate student in the Physics department studying student reasoning in physics. They are passionate about education, accessibility, and community. At UMaine, Em has been an organizer with the UMaine Grad Workers Union, which has given them experience in collaborative, non- hierarchical community organizing, which she is hoping to use as a frame for her engagement in BBMAF. In their free time, Em is a knitter and painter (and you can see her art in a couple shops around Bangor!). She is super duper excited for all the work and progress to come for BBMAF in the coming year! 

tamra.benson@maine.edu 

Vice President

Tamra Benson

Tamra (she/her) graduated from the University of Maine in 2023 with a B.A. in Biology. She is the founder and vice president of the Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund. She now works as a Community Organizer for Food AND Medicine, a nonprofit based in Brewer whose motto is that no one should have to choose between food, medicine, and other necessities. At FAM, Tamra primarily helps to coordinate the Collective Gardens Program. She strongly believes that everyone, no matter their circumstances, deserves to have their needs met, and that community care initiatives are healing and effective methods for collective, sustainable change. Tamra loves hiking, music, and the color green!

aubrey.martilini@maine.edu 

Treasurer

Aubrey Martilini

Aubrey (they/she) is a 5th year at UMaine majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. They are part of the various UMaine bands on campus and are a Core Organizer of UMaine Climate Action. She enjoys playing music and annoying their friends. 

nicole.cloud@maine.edu

Co-Community Impact Director

Nicole Cloud

Nicole (she/her) is an Advisor in TRIO Student Support Services at UMaine and also the Coordinator for the Peer Coaching division for the program. As a former first-gen, 0 EFC student, as well as a former adjunct instructor, she is passionate about shifting the lived realities of those who share her community, as well as the systems that perpetuate them. Most days you can find her reading, practicing yoga (shoutout to @TheSpiralGoddessCollective), and enjoying puns. 

mikayla.reynolds@maine.edu 

Co-Community Impact Director

Mikayla Reynolds

Mikayla (she/her) is a graduate student pursuing her MBA with concentrations in Sustainability and Public & Non-Profit Management. She serves as the Lead Peer Coach for TRIO Student Support Services, where she partners with students to achieve their individual goals in the areas of well-being, academic strategy, and personal finance. Mikayla completed her undergrad as a first-gen, independent student. She's passionate about building equity, challenging systems, and creating positive change through individual and interdisciplinary work. Most days, you can find Mikayla not far from her coffee, journaling, or playing a board game.

lucca.hamina@maine.edu

Co-Events and Communications Director

Lucca Hamina

Lucca (they/he) is a 5th-year at the University of Maine Studying Sociology and Economics with a minor in Legal Studies. They have been engaged in activism and working with non-profits, including participating in Black Lives Matter protests, volunteering with the Oregon Food Bank, and are currently the President of the University of Maine People's Alliance, a progressive activism club which they also founded with the help of their friend Steven Santiago. Lucca dreams of a world where everyone helps who they can and cares for their neighbors no matter who they are.

jayson.heim@maine.edu

Co-Events and Communications Director

Jayson Heim

Jayson (he/him) works as an administration and communication coordinator, podcast producer, and an assistant managing editor at Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. He is excited to bring his academic training to non-profit work and community care.