Meet Our Board

A lifelong resident of Western Maine, Jess set roots in the community pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Maine at Farmington. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Special Education, and has remained working in the field of education for 25 years. Jess has taught grades K through 12, in addition to teaching at the University of Maine at Farmington. A first-generation college student herself, she worked for a number of years with UMF’s TRIO Upward Bound Program, a federally-funded program focused on supporting low-income high school students to become first-generation college students. She also served as the Director of the Learning Assistance Center at UMF and most recently as the Dean of Students for Accessible Education and Student Support at Bates College in Lewiston.  Jess also previously served as President of the Maine Educational Opportunity Association and served on the Board of Directors for the New England Educational Opportunity Association. Jess also served on the Board of Selectman for the town of Farmington from 2011 - 2014. 

Jean Roesner knows how just one caring adult can change the trajectory of a lifetime.  As a first-generation college student whose family knew the necessity of stretching a dollar, she is committed to raising student aspirations and helping others navigate those barriers that can make or break post-secondary academic success. Her work with Syntiro allows her to support economically disadvantaged students across the state of Maine and dovetails with her commitment to her community's children. Even after 20 years of teaching in Maranacook Area Schools, Jean commits herself to doing what is best for her students each and every day.  The best part of Jean's job is being an advisor, where she can help kids learn more about themselves and their post-secondary dreams through relationship building, conversation, and encouragement.  Jean currently resides with her family in Fayette, Maine.  She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Beth Lambert is the Chief Teaching and Learning Officer at the Maine Department of Education where she leads a wide range of innovative initiatives that provide important and necessary supports to students and educators. The Office of Teaching and Learning includes State Standards, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Early Learning, Interdisciplinary Instruction, Learning through Technology, and Maine’s Digital Content Library (MOOSE).

In her over 20 years in education Beth has been a school administrator as well as taught at the middle and high school levels where she served in a leadership capacity around standards, curriculum and assessment, student-centered teaching, and teacher leadership. She has also served on her local schoolboard and chaired the policy committee.

Rick Wilson is a retired educator who had a 44-year career in education in a variety of capacities. Rick began his career as a music specialist in the Salem (MA) Public Schools. He moved to Maine in 1983 to begin working in the Maranacook Area Schools teaching music at grades K-6 at all the district’s elementary schools. In 1992 he became the Principal of Manchester Elementary School and remained in the position until 2010. He also became Principal of Mt. Vernon Elementary School during his last year in the school district. After leaving public education, Rick served as the Operation Coordinator of Syntiro, working on a variety of educational projects throughout the State of Maine until 2015. At the time, he joined the staff of the Forman Acton Educational Foundation in New Jersey, serving as the Scholarship Director of that organization until his retirement in December 2021. In addition to serving on the Board of Syntiro, he is on the Boards of a variety of community and educational organizations, including the Maranacook Education Foundation.

Leilani Mortland recently joined the board of Syntiro.  She is currently teaching Spanish at Presque Isle High School and serves as the World Language Chair, Varsity Club Advisor, and ESL advocate for English-learners in her district. After she and her husband served as missionaries to the deaf in Mexico and Uruguay for seventeen years, they moved their family to Maine in May of 1999.  Leilani homeschooled their ten children for twenty-five years before beginning to serve migrant students and their families through the Migrant Education Program, the High School Equivalency Program, and the Maine Migrant Health Program.  It was the perfect mix of her experiences living abroad, speaking Spanish, teaching, and just plain old loving people.  After eleven years of direct migrant services and with a growing number of grandchildren (21 and counting) scattered around the USA, Leilani has chosen to concentrate on her high school students and in-home studio piano students, while still having time to travel to see the grandkids during vacations. It is Leilani's hope that serving on the Syntiro Board will give her a chance to once again be involved in meeting the need of providing equitable education and developmental opportunities for students and their families. 

Anne Nelson is the Director of Communications and Student Support Services at the University of New England. A first-generation college student, Anne brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to her work in student financial services and higher education. She has spent her time in higher education working to remove barriers for students—whether by simplifying financial aid and billing processes, developing clear and accessible communications,
or advocating for student-centered policies and practices.

Anne is passionate about ensuring students and families have the information they need to make informed decisions about financing a college education. She believes that access to accurate, timely, and transparent information is a key driver of equity and student success. Joining the board is a meaningful opportunity for Anne to further her commitment to equity, access, and opportunity—values that align deeply with her professional experience and personal beliefs.