Staff

Betsy Smith, Executive Director since 2002, returned to Maine after serving for three years as executive director of a progressive political organization in Boston. EqualityMaine has flourished under Betsy’s leadership, growing from one staff to six and from a budget of $75,000 to nearly a half million. Also under her leadership, EqualityMaine has worked in coalition to win statewide trans-inclusive non-discrimination protections; health insurance, inheritance rights, next-of-kin status, guardian- and conservator-ship, and family medical leave for domestic partners; and marriage equality through the Legislature. Betsy lives in Portland with her partner and two young sons.

Ariel Kernis, Deputy Director, joined EqualityMaine after serving as Operations Director for the Protect Maine Equality marriage campaign. Ariel leads the organization’s operations and capacity-building work. She has experience in the public and private sectors as a law clerk, commercial litigator, and legal director for a domestic violence non-profit. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the University of Chicago Law School, and currently serves on the Board of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Androscoggin County.

Matt Moonen, Political Director, leads EqualityMaine's 501(c)(4) political work. Matt graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in political science and international studies. He worked as a field organizer with MassEquality and as a regional field director with Fair Wisconsin before joining EqualityMaine in March 2007. During the 2009 Protect Maine Equality marriage campaign, Matt served as Project Manager and Director of our National Phone Program.

Alan Lindquist, Development Director, joined EqualityMaine in November 2008, bringing with him 12 years of development and fundraising experience in both the political and non-profit arenas. He worked on the successful 2000 campaign of Congresswoman Susan Davis (San Diego), the 2008 campaign of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (Maine) and Janet Reno's campaign for Governor of Florida in 2002, among others. He also served as the Deputy Director of Major Gifts and Events for EMILY's List, Financial Services Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Major Gifts Officer for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Dorian Cole, Communications Coordinator, leads EqualityMaine's communications work in both online and traditional media. Dorian grew up in Portland and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono. Before joining the communications team of the No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign, Dorian worked in communications and development for other local non-profit organizations.

John McKenna, Administrative & Development Assistant, joined EqualityMaine in January 2007. John had recently relocated to Maine, where he spent several summers as a child. Before moving here, he lived in Portland, Oregon for six years, working in non-profit administration for two organizations: Outside In, an organization addressing homelessness; and the Northwest Children’s Theatre School.

Thomas Sumner, Bookkeeper, is the owner of Sumner Bookkeeping. He has been EqualityMaine's part-time bookkeeper since April 2002. Tom lives in Westbrook with his partner, John, and is the proud grandfather of three children.