Steven Bishop accepts award during Maine Association of Nonprofits’ sold-out Executive Leadership Forum, ‘The Secret Sauce to Boardroom Success: Culture and Dynamics. Photo credit: Camden National Bank
This October, Camden National Bank recognized six outstanding nonprofit board leaders with their 2018 Leaders & Luminaries Awards and $22,000 in grants to the winners’ respective organizations. Since the Leaders & Luminaries Awards began in 2011, Camden National Bank has given $130,000 to 37 Maine nonprofits through its private charitable foundation, The Bank of Maine Foundation. Honorees are selected for a successful use of passion, innovation and resourcefulness to help Maine communities thrive.
In 2018, The Game Loft nominated Treasurer, Steven Bishop, acknowledging his exceptional leadership employing these very distinct traits. Steven first discovered The Game Loft as a kid where he witnessed first-hand their mission to promote Positive Youth Development through non-electronic games and community involvement. As a young adult, Steven learned bookkeeping and used those skills to help The Game Loft succeed through a time of financial hardship. At the age of 22 he joined The Game Loft board.
Steven Bishop with co-founding director Ray Estabrook in 2001. Photo credit: Patricia Estabrook
Using his newfound skills, Steven went on to secure a junior accountant role at Harvard University, where he is also enrolled as a student. He is the first in his family to attend college, and he will graduate from Harvard in May 2019. Now 30 years old, Steven continues to serve as The Game Loft Treasurer remotely from his home in Massachusetts and remains an inspiring advocate of The Game Loft, who has brought energy, leadership and greater sustainability to the organization.
This year, over 65 nonprofit board members were nominated by the community, and Camden National Bank’s Leaders & Luminaries independent selection committee chose two Emerging Leaders receiving $1,000 each, including Game Loft nominee, Steven Bishop, along with four Grand Prize winners receiving $5,000 each for their respective organizations. The Game Loft is proud to see this outstanding young contributor recognized for his work and dedication to the Waldo County community. Other honorees recognized this year serve as board directors at Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, Milestone Recovery, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Maine Inside Out, and Hardy Girls Healthy Women.
From left, Camden National Bank executives are shown here with the 2018 Leaders & Luminaries Awards winners. Pictured (from right) are Renee Smyth, Camden National Bank chief experience and marketing officer; Samaa Abdurraqib, Maine Inside Out board co-chair; Ben Martens, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association executive director; Brad Babson, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust board president; Ryan Ciriello, Milestone Recovery development committee chair; Steven Bishop, The Game Loft treasurer; Chelsea Ellis, Hardy Girls Healthy Women board director; and Greg Dufour, Camden National Bank president and CEO. Photo credit: Camden National Bank