PORTLAND — The World Affairs Council of Maine elected a distinguished slate of candidates for the board of directors unanimously at its 49th Annual Membership Meeting on June 11 at Coffee By Design in Portland. All director terms run July 1 through June 30, 2029.
Newly elected to first terms:
- Michelle Lenihan brings extensive national security and public-sector experience to the Council. She currently serves as deputy commissioner for the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management, and previously served as acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs.
- Riley Worth received his master’s of public policy and non-profit management from the University of Southern Maine in 2026, where he was Student Body president. Since graduating he has worked as an outreach, advocacy, and communications intern for AARP and is currently the campaign coordinator for Rick Bennett for Governor, an independent candidate for Maine.”
Re-elected to continuing terms:
- Hans Eysenbach, a partner at Verrill, the Portland-based law firm, begins his third and final term on the board.
- Tobin Williamson, advocate for immigrants’ rights and alumnus of the Aspen Strategy Group’s Rising Leaders Program, begins his second term. His earlier career included service in two U.S. Congressional offices and two Consulates General — Japan’s in Seattle and the Czech Republic’s in Chicago.
- Ghomri Rostampour, president of Transform Education Network and a longtime advocate for immigrant women and Kurdish-American civic engagement, begins her second term.
“This is a thoughtful, well-rounded slate,” David Plumb, chair of the nominating committee, said. “We have Directors joining and continuing whose work touches international affairs, national security, the law, business and community. That mix is exactly what the Council needs as we head into our 50th year, and the unanimous vote tonight is a sign of how strongly the membership feels about it.”
Founded in 1977, the World Affairs Council of Maine is a Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to bringing the world to Maine and Maine to the world. Through public programs, educational partnerships and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, the Council connects Mainers of all ages and from every part of the state to global perspectives and emerging leaders from around the world. In FY26, the Council marked its 49th year of operation, with its 50th anniversary planned for June 2027. Learn more at www.wacmaine.org.