Courtesy / AARP Maine
Lori Parham
July 13, 2021
Former Maine multicultural affairs chief named new AARP Maine director
Courtesy / AARP Maine
Noël Bonam stepped down as head of the Global Institute to become AARP Maine’s new state director.
By Staff
Launching into an agenda that this year includes retirement security, high-speed internet expansion, health care and other issues, AARP Maine’s new state director brings extensive experience in leadership development, stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion practice and civic leadership.
Noël Bonam on Monday was named to succeed Lori Parham, who served as state director for nearly 10 years and accepted a new position in AARP’s national government affairs office in May, according to a news release.
Before joining AARP, Bonam was head of the Global Institute, a public benefit organization with operational hubs in Denmark, India and the U.S. that specializes in social equity, leadership development and organizational sustainability.
“I am thrilled to join AARP and look forward to being a forceful voice on behalf of its 200,000 members in the state and all Mainers 50 and older,” Bonam said in the release. “I look forward to leading AARP's vital work to build livable, age-friendly communities and to fostering social connection and inclusion.”
Bonam said his team will confront ageism and age discrimination, and promote AARP's policy agenda “to ensure the health, safety and economic security of all Mainers as we grow older."
Systemic changes
Bonam is no stranger to tackling systemic issues. As a former director for the Bureau of Multicultural Affairs for the state of Maine, he oversaw systemic changes through diversity, equity and inclusion efforts by working closely with inter-departmental stakeholders and with key community partners from across the state. He practices collaborative facilitative leadership and is committed to stakeholder engagement and empowerment, long-term sustainability and dialogue for action.
Bonam has worked extensively with diverse partners from around the world, particularly in the public and nonprofit sectors.
“Noel’s extensive expertise leading mission-driven organizations and multicultural efforts, both in Maine and globally, provides a great base for him to continue Lori’s distinguished advocacy work for people 50-plus to live and work in Maine,” said AARP State President Pat Pinto.
Bonam holds a master’s degree in public personnel management from Osmania University in India and a certification in diversity, equity and inclusion in human resources from Cornell University. He is a graduate of the senior executive in state and local government mid-career program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also is currently the chairman of the board of trustees of the Association for World Education, an international non-governmental organization specializing in lifelong learning with consultative status at the United Nations.
Maine received AARP's official seal of approval as an age-friendly state in 2019.
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