Sage Lecture Series   

BETSY BIEMANN
Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)

Learn how CEI works to grow a just, vibrant and climate-resilient future for communities in Maine and rural regions nationally, advising entrepreneurs, investing in their small businesses and championing policies that strengthen communities and support inclusive, economic prosperity.

JODY OLSON
Former Director, Peace Corps

Peace Corps’ 64 years of service in 142 countries succeeds by asking Americans to integrate into host country communities through trust and respect. This model can be applied here at home to renew connections within our community.

Each fall and spring, SAGE presents a series of Tuesday morning lectures that cover a wide array of topics of current interest.  Our speakers are recognized experts for the arts, government, non-profit, education, business, and civic communities in Maine.

JULE SELBO
Novelist, playwright, professional screenwriter

Novelist, playwright and professional screenwriter Jule Selbo will be interviewed by novelist Richard Cass — they’ll be sharing all their “secret” approaches to living a creative life through words.

CHERYL WHITE
Author

After her husband died suddenly, Cheryl began emailing friends and family to let them know how she was doing. Over the next five years, a touching chronicle of loss emerged, Letters of Laughter and Loss was published in April of 2025. OLLI’s Joan Chadbourne will interview Cheryl.

WILL EVERITT
Executive Director, Friends of Casco Bay

Friends of Casco Bay’s mission is to improve and protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. We act as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Bay. Our most important work includes reducing pollution and addressing the impacts of climate change.

DR. NIRAV SHAH
Former Head, Maine Center for Disease Control

As head of the Maine CDC, Dr. Shah worked to rebuild the agency, which laid the foundation for swift and comprehensive responses to the COVID pandemic. Nirav will discuss the state of public health in the US and globally, and what you can do to stay safe.

TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Sportswriter & Columnist

Travis will moderate a panel discussion on this subject with a representative from the Portland Sea Dogs (baseball), Maine Mariners (hockey), the Maine Celtics (basketball), and the Hearts of Pine (soccer).

JOANNE BOLLINGER
Board Co-Chair, WISE Zambia

Joanne’s presentation will include Zambia’s history, current issues, why the mission of WISE Zambia matters, and how the organization works and has grown.