Meet Our Staff

Alex Gaeth, CEO

Alex discovered the power of BBBS mentoring by spending several years as a Big Brother while attending Lincoln Academy. After graduating from Colby College with a degree in Education and Human Development and a minor in Administrative Science, he returned to the Agency in the Fall of 2005 as Executive Director. Since then, the team at BBBS of Midcoast Maine has more than tripled the number of children served each year and more than doubled the annual revenue. Besides changing lives, he enjoys spending time with family, coaching and playing sports, and soon, spending time with his second Little Brother.

Cathy Hardy, Development Director

Cathy comes to Big Brothers Big Sisters with a wealth of experience in development within the Midcoast community. Most recently Cathy held the position of Director of Development and Community Relations at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, where she managed fundraising events and campaigns, marketing and wrote grants. Prior to that, she excelled in similar arenas as the Director of Community Relations and Development at the Pen Bay YMCA. Her experience also includes serving as the Executive Director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. She serves her local community as a member of the Lincolnville Select Board, and is excited about the opportunity to improve the lives of youth through BBBS’ proven mentoring programs. “I’m delighted to be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine and look forward to helping them gain additional exposure and recognition in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln Counties,” states Cathy. “I strongly believe in their mission and I’m looking forward to working with their team of energetic and caring professionals.”

Katie Orlando, Community-Based Mentoring Director

Katie has worked with the agency for over a year, switching between Community-Based and School-Based Mentoring Director. She arrived at BBBS after working in higher education for 6 years. Upon graduating from Gettysburg College with a degree in history, political science and a minor in Latin American Studies, Katie worked as the Director of Student Affairs at Chester College of New England and as the Assistant Director of Residence Life at the University of Maine Farmington. Katie’s experience also includes working for the American Youth Foundation and supporting youth of all ages in a variety of volunteer roles in New Hampshire, Michigan and Pennsylvania. She is very excited to have the opportunity to help make a difference in people’s lives and to build lasting relationships in Midcoast Maine.

Matt Donahue, School-Based Mentoring Manager

A Bangor native, Matt attended the University of Maine and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Management and will be completing his Master’s Degree in Public Administration in August. He was heavily involved both on and off campus, and has a passion for the community. He is a brother of Alpha Delta, a community service based Fraternity, a Senior Skull, and is the Vice President of the Class of 2010 Council. He is entering his 11th year as a volunteer umpire for Little League Baseball, and serves on the City of Bangor Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Special Committee on Comprehensive Planning. Matt is extremely excited about this new position, stating, “This is a wonderful opportunity to stay in Maine and to be able to give back to the community that supported me so much in my life. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine staff and volunteers are tremendously dedicated to the mission and it is a pleasure to join them. The long-term impact we have on youth in our community is a remarkable accomplishment and something I am proud to work towards.”

Misty Start, School-Based Mentoring Manager

Misty recently graduated from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Her passion has been to serve youth living in the Midcoast area that offered so much to her as a child. After graduation, she began an internship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine where she polished her skills in office management, public relations and fundraising. She has been heavily involved in several volunteer organizations including Trekkers, the St. George Recreation Department and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship which has allowed her to not only work with local youth, but youth across the country. Misty now volunteers as a member of the Recreation Committee for the Town of Thomaston, coaching youth basketball. “Words of encouragement can give a child the confidence they need to pursue their dreams. Listening to their hopes and fears let them know that they are important. Simple acts of kindness have unforeseen impacts that have the power to resonate throughout a child’s life. I know because as a child I had an adult who did that for me," she says.

Lydia Deere-MacLeod, Program Manager

Lydia recently celebrated her first year anniversary as a Big Sister. She will be assisting the Community-Based Mentoring Director and the two School-Based Mentoring Managers with customer relations, enrollment and match support. She has a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Smith College and is currently working towards her Master's in Social Work at the University of Maine. Lydia has experience working in the domestic violence movement and as a mentor for restorative justice. With her experience serving children and families she hopes to provide Community-Based and School-Based matches with individualized and engaging support. "As a Big Sister, I've seen the impact of the agency's work firsthand and I know that mentoring has the potential to change the lives of participating children and adults. I hope my work at the agency allows others to experience the reciprocal benefits of what Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine has to offer," she says.