Syntiro Staff
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Janice Brackett, Syntiro Finance Director
I am a systems designer...
In my current position as Finance Director for Syntiro, a non-profit organization in central Maine, I take both a big-picture view (budgeting, planning, reporting) and a detailed (to-the-penny, daily-balancing and reconciling) view of the organization’s financial health. I design procedures, systems, and reports that help the organization monitor spending, cash flow, and compliance with grant and financial regulations.



Suzanne Caron, GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coach
After 26 years in public education I can easily say that the very best part of my career was being an advisor and advocate for learners. Being a scholar coach with GEAR UP Maine allows me to continue with that passion. I'll be here to support and guide our scholars during their transition from high school to college. Being a first generation college student myself, I understand not always knowing where to find answers and how to overcome barriers. I'll be here to help provide answers, help navigate, and to encourage self-advocacy with the scholars I have the privilege to work with. My love of learning, enthusiasm for education, and my excitement to work directly with students makes me happy to go to work everyday!



Cynthia Drake, GEAR UP Maine Program Assistant
I am an avid outdoors person and biological researcher who now researches ways to help school districts create a culture of continuing education and career preparedness while students are in K-12 and beyond.  I have extensive experience using databases, spreadsheets and other manners of informational accountability.  I have a desire to improve the lives of todays’ children and improve lives in rural Maine; my work experiences in Maine public schools and raising a family in rural Maine myself motivated me to work with GEAR UP Maine.  I am a creative problem solver and freedom of ideas while maintaining the structure to get the work done.  In addition to hiking and cross country skiing, budgets, financial accountability, report writing and spreadsheets are things that I consider fun!

Noelle Federico, GEAR UP Administrative Specialist 
I am the Administrative Specialist for Syntiro and GEAR UP Maine. Syntiro is a small nonprofit in rural Maine that is committed to working for equity and social justice, access and opportunities that enhance and improve education and employment outcomes. At Syntiro, I am the Human Resources contact responsible for coordinating benefits, personnel files, mileage and expense reimbursements, and employee time tracking. I serve as one of the point people to field incoming questions to the office and outgoing contact to trainees. I have close to 13 years experience working with GEAR UP grants both partnership and statewide.I work on special projects for the program such as travel logistics, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, as well as tracking staff and district information.  Part of my role with Syntiro  involves working with the Workforce Development Grant by creating, sending and tracking all information associated with the registration process for our trainings and workshops through Cvent.

Mary Freeman, GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coach 
I am a deeply dedicated educator who believes in improving the future for all learners and having a positive impact on the lives of others is something I greatly value. As the GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coaches Manager, it is my responsibility to lead the development and implementation of a college access and readiness program that works with 7-12 students, school personnel and faculty and staff at Institutions of Higher Education throughout Maine. From experience, building relationships is the cornerstone to an effective program and being detailed oriented, collaborative, innovative, and a creative problem solver are all traits which allow me to excel in relationship building.

Debbie Gilmer, Syntiro Executive Director
 I am an experienced Executive Director/CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. I have strong business development and management skills, building coalitions, advocacy, community organizing, and policy.For over 40 years I have been committed to introducing and supporting new and innovative strategies to build inclusive communities in Maine: schools, workplaces, and communities.  I have been a leader working collaboratively with stakeholders to design innovative programs that address challenges facing the state of Maine.

Kayla Hopkins, GEAR UP Maine Communications Coordinator
What entices YOU to read a document? Non-profit communications coordinator with 8 years of experience in communications, digital media and public relations. My passion for design, photography, event planning, and relationship building are evident in my monthly newsletters, stakeholder communications, and all of GEAR UP Maine’s branded documents . I’m constantly looking for the most efficient and effective way to produce quality work even when faced with short notice. My end products always have the user experience (UX) in mind.