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Updated: 0 sec ago / 2025 40 Under 40 honorees

40 Under 40: Barrett Takesian raises the level of the game

Photo / Tim Greenway Barrett Takesian, 35: Executive director, Portland Community Squash

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Significant professional accomplishment: Starting with a slide deck and no Portland contacts in 2012, my network grew to over 10,000 friends in Greater Portland. Through innovation and modern systems, Portland Community Squash has transformed those connections into a thriving community center that fosters opportunity, relationships and well-being for all. Everyone we’ve worked with has helped shape the building blocks of this nationally recognized model.

How you raised money to build the first squash court: My strategy has been to create mission alignment through well-produced videos and lots of networking coffees — although I don’t drink coffee.

Greatest achievement: My community-building mission has also shaped my personal life. Last year, my wife Qamer and I brought together our culturally diverse families.

Passion project: Instigating the next wave of Community Centers by working with community builders on the ground all over the country. When work is under control, these are my favorite meetings.

Lightbulb moment: At the end of my first gym class demo in 2012, I asked the kids to close their eyes and raise their hands if they wanted to come play squash. Every hand went up.

Audacious goal: I have consulted on 13 successful community squash centers around the country, and I’m smiling as the model is leaping into other arts and sports-based programs across Maine and nationally. With enough adopters, I think we’re looking at the next wave of American Community Centers.

Influential book: “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho

Favorite movie: “Dune”

Personal hero: Jaylen Brown

Favorite quote: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” — Coretta Scott King

Maine’s biggest challenge: Connecting youth to opportunity. Every time we fail to pair students and passions, that’s one less robotics champion, one less rock climber, one less guitar player at the family holidays. These passions don’t just strengthen individual well-being; they come with a network of people that can create the social capital needed for social mobility. We are only as strong as our people — share those passions, people.

Best way to recharge: Playing sports and fixing things

Dream dinner guests: Margaret Angel, Fiona Hill, Kaveri Subbarao

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