Waterville Creates welcomes new board chairman and new board members

Amanda Cooley

Waterville Creates announces the addition of two new members to the board of directors and a new board chairman stepping into the role. The organization’s robust programming, increased staffing, and growing presence in the Waterville community presents the need and opportunity for new and increased support from members of the community and Board of Directors to support the mission of Waterville Creates.

Amanda Cooley steps into the role of board chairman. In her role as vice president and marketing and communications officer at Kennebec Savings Bank, Cooley is responsible for overseeing the bank’s marketing, communications, and community giving initiatives. Cooley joined KSB in 2018 as the corporate giving and community relations coordinator. Most recently, she served as assistant vice president and community engagement officer, overseeing the bank’s Community Dividends program and volunteer efforts. Prior to joining Kennebec Savings Bank, Cooley held positions in marketing, event planning, and communications for Colby College and Husson University.

Cooley replaces Jim LaLiberty, of Jabar, LaLiberty, and Dubord LLC, as board chairman. LaLiberty served as chairman for six years for the organization. “On behalf of the board and staff of Waterville Creates, I want to express sincere gratitude to our outgoing board chairman, Jim LaLiberty, who provided steady guidance and leadership for six years as we navigated numerous challenges, including a multi-organization merger, a global pandemic, and the design and move to our new home at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center,” said Shannon Haines, president and CEO of Waterville Creates. “We are thrilled that Amanda Cooley, who joined the board in 2021, will take the reins as board chairman in 2025 as we look forward to the next chapter of Waterville Creates’ development.”

Hannah Bard and Katie Brann are both joining the board of directors this year. Bard is the director at Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education, where she has worked for 13 years in several roles. Bard attended Thomas College, in Waterville, for a BS in elementary education and teaching, and USM for an MS in adult and continuing education administration. She was recently named the 2024 Outstanding Adult Education Administrator by the Maine Adult Education Association.

Brann joined Golden Pond Wealth Management, in Waterville, in April 2019. She graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in political science and minor in business administration. Among her specialties are ESG investing and comprehensive financial planning; she achieved the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in March 2021. Most recently, she has been named to the Mainebiz Nextup: 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes young business professionals in the state of Maine. She was chairman of KV Connect in 2022 and was named Emerging Leader of the Year by Central Maine Growth Council in 2021.

“We are delighted to welcome Hannah and Katie to the board in 2025,” Haines said. “They are both active and engaged community members who bring with them valuable experience in public education and financial management that will help Waterville Creates to achieve its strategic goals.”