Dear friends of MCF,
I am honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director of Maine Cancer Foundation. Having spent the last five years with the organization in various roles, I know what this responsibility means. I also know that I do not carry this weight alone. Our staff and board of directors is the best collection of people I have ever had the honor of working with. Furthermore, I would not be in this position without the support and mentorship of Deputy Director Kelly Martin, who served as the interim executive director for the last 13 months.
When I first joined the MCF Family, I was brought on to develop relationships in communities across Maine. As a state-wide organization, it is essential for us to understand the unique issues facing each community. In that first year, I did not just visit all 16 counties; I spent time getting to know the towns that fill them out, the businesses that drive their growth, and the people that make them special. Since then, I have been back many times over. I have watched grantee partners expand their service areas, outgrow their buildings, and find distinctive solutions for Mainers far and wide. As we all know, the good work gets done when we build the right relationships. By understanding these communities on a deeper level, we can maximize the impact of every dollar we raise.
My belief in the power of community can be attributed to my experience on the Portland police force and in leadership positions with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and the Ronald McDonald Charities of Maine. At the heart of this is service, and Maine Cancer Foundation is here to serve all corners of the state and everywhere in between.
We are incredibly proud of what has been accomplished, but our focus is on the future. Our communities have carried the burden of cancer for too long, and our goal is to ensure that no one is alone in the fight. I look forward to leading this incredible team, and with your continued support, we could not be more motivated to carry out our mission for the people of Maine.
Respectfully,
Ray Ruby
