The Bangor Daily News’ Dirigo Speaks series presents thoughtful conversations throughout the year with civic leaders, change makers, artists and business leaders shaping Maine’s future.
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2019-2020 Season
More speakers will be added as they are scheduled.
Past Speakers
2019
- Attorney Janna Gau argued we’re going about Title IX all wrong.
- BDN Outdoors Editor John Holyoke in conversation with Matt Dunlap, celebrating the launch of Holyoke’s new book, Evergreens.
- Stephanie Brock of Red Thread, Heather Robinson of Camden National Bank and Kerem Durdag of GWI discuss how #metoo has changed work in Maine with BDN journalist Callie Ferguson
- Peggy Schaffer, Executive Director of Connect ME
- Richard Blanco, poet
- Bucksport town manager Susan Lessard and business owner Richard Rosen, Lessons from Bucksport on Losing a Large Employer
2018
- Dr. Brien Walton, Director of the Center for Family Business at Husson University, on using Opportunity Zones to attract investment
- Secretary of state Matt Dunlap, on ranked-choice voting
- Gary Allen,Running to grow Maine’s economy
- Senator George Mitchell
- Dr. Trip Gardner, Addiction as a brain disease
- Abdi Nor Iftin, stories from a new American and book signing of ‘Call Me American’
- Lucas Richman, musical director of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra
- Mary Bonauto, nationally renowned civil rights attorney
- Dr. Susan Hunter, outgoing UMaine President
- Gary Allen, Gail Auclair, Ron Hise, Tamera Blades — Competing with Age
2017
- Stan Makara, Cheryl Michaud, Patti Rapaport — The Next Act: Starting a business after 50
- Travis Baker et al, a reading of ‘The Dogs Pond’
- Christina Baker Kline
- Lucas St. Clair
- Kristin Miale
- Michael Finkel
2016
- Emily Kimball, the ‘Aging Adventurer’
- George Mitchell
- Susan Collins