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Updated: October 6, 2025 / 2025 40 Under 40 honorees

40 Under 40: Jillian LaFrance shows a commitment to advanced knowledge

Photo / Natalie B. Art and Photography Jillian LaFrance, 37: Remote adjunct forensic psychology professor, South College, and intensive case manager, Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Jillian LaFrance, 37 Remote adjunct forensic psychology professor, South College, and intensive case manager, Maine Department of Health and Human Services Read all about the 40 Under 40 honorees
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Greatest achievement: Earning my PhD in forensic psychology is my greatest achievement because it represents years of rigorous study, research, and perseverance in a highly specialized and demanding field. It reflects my commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersection of psychology and the legal system.

Passion project: Breaking the stigma around mental health is my passion project because I believe open, honest conversations can change lives. I’m dedicated to creating spaces where people feel safe to share their experiences and seek help without shame.

Lightbulb moment: Coming to terms with my own mental health diagnosis was a lightbulb moment because it gave me clarity about what I was experiencing and helped me understand myself in a new way. It allowed me to approach my well-being with more compassion, and it helps me better understand and connect with my clients on a deeper, more empathetic level.

Influential book: “The Shack,” by William Paul Young

Favorite movie: The original “Nightmare on Elm Street”

Personal hero: My grandmother, Gloria Guimond

Favorite quote: “The most merciful thing in the world is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents” — H.P. Lovecraft

Best way to recharge: Travel and exercise.

Maine’s biggest challenge: Homelessness and affordable housing are Maine’s biggest challenges because housing costs have risen much faster than wages, especially in popular coastal and tourist areas. There’s a shortage of rental units statewide, and many homes are being bought as vacation properties or short-term rentals. Combined with a lack of shelter space and support services, this leaves many people, especially low-income workers, seniors, and people with disabilities, struggling to find stable housing.

Dinner party guests: My Nana, my Nanny, and my Papa because they were such important influences in my life, and I would cherish the chance to see them again. Sharing a meal would give me the opportunity to hear their stories, feel their love, and thank them for the guidance and values they passed on to me.

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