PORTLAND — FocusMaine announced that Leo Waterston has been named the organization’s new program director. Waterston will join FocusMaine beginning Feb. 7.
“We were especially impressed with Leo’s experience building and managing complex partnerships, approach to measuring impact, and research background,” said Dr. Kimberly Hamilton, president of FocusMaine. “I know he will add so much to our already exceptional team.”
Waterston has over 15 years of experience working in diverse roles within healthcare, scientific research, and public health settings, with increasing levels of leadership and responsibility. Most recently, he served as the program director for the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Maine Medical Center Research Institute. In that role, he oversaw significant growth at CORE in new faculty and staff, external grant funding, partnerships, and new programs. For the past five years, Waterston has also served as the project director for the Maine Lung Cancer Coalition, a grant-funded, statewide, multi-sector initiative focused on reducing the burden of lung cancer in Maine.
Prior to coming to Maine, Waterston held various roles at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree from Clark University.
FocusMaine is a private sector-led initiative to accelerate the creation of quality jobs in Maine by investing in three of Maine’s globally competitive and high-growth fields–agriculture, aquaculture, and biopharmaceuticals — and by strengthening Maine’s workforce capacity. FocusMaine partners with a number of Maine organizations to spur business growth within those sectors. Together with its partners, FocusMaine catalyzes sustainable growth and business confidence that energizes Maine’s economy. For more information, visit www.focusmaine.org.