40 Under 40: Katie Shorey is a brand ambassador for Maine and business startups

Photo / Tim Greenway Katie Shorey is the director of engagement for Live + Work in Maine and president of Startup Maine.

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Katie Shorey, 35
Director of engagement, Live + Work in Maine, and president, Startup Maine Find profiles of all the 40 Under 40 honorees here.
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Significant professional accomplishment: I was the second hire at Live + Work in Maine, and we’ve accomplished so much over the last few years with limited resources and capacity. I’m proud to have grown the organization to a known and respectable brand, and we’ve played an important role in getting Maine on the map as a place to have a fulfilling career (as well as a solid quality of life).

I love bringing ideas to fruition and testing new initiatives (e.g., Startup Maine monthly meetups, exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt, the Live + Work in Maine “Welcome Home” event series, and hosting the “Dock and Dine” television show). As an ecosystem builder, it’s extremely rewarding to connect people to resources, mentors and individuals. It’s an honor and a privilege to do this work.

Audacious goals: Travel internationally every year. Join an improv group. Start a company. Have a paid board member role. And maybe run for office.

Passion project: Helping young women and girls gain confidence, independence, leadership experience, as well as negotiation and public speaking skills. I want to see more women in roles where impactful decisions are made.

Favorite quote: “I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.” — Edna St. Vincent Millay

Influential book: “The Defining Decade,” by Meg Jay. It’s aimed at 20-somethings but applicable in your 30s, too.

Favorite movie or series: “Parks and Recreation,” “Flea Bag,” and I’ll always watch “Crazy, Stupid, Love” if it’s on TV.

How do you recharge: Cooking, walking or working out. But my favorite things are quality time with my partner, Brock, laughing with close friends, or dock time upta camp with my family.