Executive Director Announcement

Ian Yaffe

Executive Director

Juana Rodriguez Vazquez

Interim Executive Director

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mano en Mano has been working closely with partner organizations and state agencies to ensure that the communities most impacted by the pandemic both receive immediately needed resources and focus on long-term opportunities for change. Recently, I was approached by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to temporarily join the COVID-19 team and Commissioner’s Office as Chief Operating Officer for COVID-19 social support services.

Given the urgency of the situation, and the opportunity to build systems and tools to support communities and organizations, I am excited to begin with DHHS this month will be on a leave of absence from Mano en Mano through 12/31/21. Mano en Mano’s Board of Directors has appointed Juana Rodriguez Vazquez as Interim Executive Director. In this capacity, Juana will provide support to our community-based Board and lead the staff as Mano en Mano continues to respond to urgent needs, center community decision-making, and plan for the future.

Juana first came to Maine over 20 years ago to participate in Maine’s wild blueberry harvest. Her active participation in the community over the years and her commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience led her to become an AmeriCorps Member in 2014, Program Coordinator in 2016, and Program Director in 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in education from the University of Maine at Machias and Teacher Certification from the Maine Department of Education. Juana is also a member of the Boards of Directors of the Women’s Health Resource Library and the Friends of the Milbridge Public Library.

Mano en Mano’s staff will continue to support immigrants and farmworkers across Maine as we grow in 2021, and we look forward to sharing our long-term vision of the future with you over the summer!

On a personal note, I want to thank you for your support, whether it has been recently with our COVID-19 response efforts, or since Mano en Mano’s founding over 20 years ago. I have been so lucky to work with so many community leaders and staff during the past 10 years, and to count on so many partner organizations and friends to support this work. I hope you are excited as I am about the things to come. Please join me in congratulating Juana on this opportunity, and in celebrating the entire team that will continue to steward our mission as I transition to my role at DHHS.

— Ian Yaffe, Executive Director