Sue Powers

As Chief Operating Officer, Sue works with the agency team to build systems and practices to support an agency culture built in collaboration and innovation. Her belief that we are all more alike than different and that those differences enrich our communities has been the foundation of the agencies transformational mindset to Whole Family Approach and comprehensive service delivery. Sue currently leads the Communications, Human Resources, and Data Management Teams in supporting the overall work of the agency. In addition, she is leading the development of the three-county regions, next 5-year strategic plan. As the leader for early childhood education, wellness, health and prevention programs, for three decades, she brings that expertise to policy planning and development tables across Maine and Nationally. Sue has worked in community action for 45 years and over the last ten years has focused on ACAP’s organizational structure and culture change to incorporate 2-Gen/Whole Family Approach and comprehensive intake into everyday processes of the organization. Currently, she leads ACAP’s journey to be a trauma informed organization and coordinates training opportunities for staff along this pathway. Sue holds the national Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) certification demonstrating leadership in community action’s vision and values to address the causes and conditions of poverty. She is a member of National Community Action Partnership’s Peer Expert Corps where she coaches CAP teams from across the country on their Whole Family journey. As a New England representative to the National Community Action Head Start Task Force, Sue is committed to advocating for systems and structures that support the health and well-being of families, children, and communities. She attended University of Maine Presque Isle and holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Science. Sue, with her husband Joe, raised their three now adult children in the small, rural town of Mapleton.