I am incredibly honored to be included in PRWeek's 5th annual "Pride in PR" list! To mark Pride Month, the industry's leading trade publication is profiling 30 LGBTQ+ communications professionals from across the country throughout June.

Grateful for the recognition alongside so many talented peers. Here are a few responses from the featured piece below:

How has your personal definition of "Pride" evolved over the past few years?

‘My definition of Pride has evolved from a celebration of visibility into an act of sustained, institutional resilience. A few years ago, Pride felt expansive, focusing heavily on public joy and corporate milestone-marking. Today, amid a shifting political landscape and coordinated rollbacks on DEI, Pride has returned to its roots: a deliberate, courageous claim to space. As a communications executive who happens to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I view Pride not just as a flag we fly in a given month, but as a framework for protecting people year-round. It is about building lasting infrastructure, from ensuring equitable laws to fostering a greater sense of community. Pride, to me, is no longer just about being seen; it is about being safeguarded.’

Do you view "coming out" at work as a one-time event or a continuous process of navigating professional boundaries? How does a company’s culture influence your decision to be your authentic self?

‘There is an image of my husband and me right on my desk, in plain view for all who walk through my door. This is intentional and it’s personally meaningful. As an openly gay C-suite executive, particularly one at a young age and the only one at my organization, I feel an obligation to set the example of the culture I expect. This helps facilitate a sense of psychological safety for others who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community in our workplace. There is a Pride flag in my bookcase, visible at every virtual meeting. It’s a gentle reminder that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love. This reinforces our shared organizational values and speaks to our mission to serve all who seek mental health treatment and recovery services. Navigating professional boundaries becomes easier when the culture itself is grounded in mutual understanding, respect and acceptance.’

Three local high school seniors have been named the 2026 recipients of the Chenette Leadership Scholarship, an award recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, civic engagement, and leadership.

This year’s scholars represent Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle High School. Each recipient was selected based on their proven track record of putting others first and their future aspirations to serve their communities.
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“It is an honor to support these three remarkable young leaders as they transition to the next phase of their lives,” said York County Commissioner Justin Chenette, who started the scholarship. “From mentoring younger students to advocating for policy changes at the school board, these students embody the spirit of service that can give us all hope for our future.”

Jackson Howard is the 2026 leadership scholar for Thornton Academy.

​Howard is the Student Body President, founded the Communion of Christian Athletes, and is an active member of the Active Minds Club, which focuses on reducing mental health stigma. His history with public service began early; as a fifth grader at CK Burns School, he shadowed Chenette as a student page at the State House during his final Senate term.
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Howard mentors eighth-grade students at Saco Middle School in leadership and stress management as part of his Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. He also serves as a Sunday school teacher and works as a lifeguard during the summer in Old Orchard Beach. This fall, Howard will attend Gordon College to play lacrosse while double-majoring in Health Sciences and Theology, with the long-term goal of becoming a Pediatric Emergency Physician Associate.

Hannah Webber is the 2026 leadership scholar for Old Orchard Beach High School.

A multi-year softball team captain and a former Student Council Class President, Webber has completed 359 hours of community service. Her experience includes attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a program focused on youth leadership development.
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Webber’s community service work has been deeply personal, including a significant commitment to supporting a young girl with Down syndrome during summer camp and volunteering for local recreation department events, such as the Easter Extravaganza and Concerts in the Park. Webber will attend the University of Maine at Farmington to major in Early Childhood Special Education, aiming to work in a life-skills classroom supporting students who learn differently.

Boston Nobile is the 2026 leadership scholar for Bonny Eagle High School.

​Nobile has held significant leadership roles, including serving as Student Council President and as a Student Representative to the MSAD#6 School Board. His dedication to civic engagement is further evidenced by his participation in the Maine Model UN, YMCA Youth in Government, and the National Honor Society.

Nobile has been instrumental in community initiatives, ranging from organizing food drives to activities that help to increase local voter participation. This fall, he heads to Washington, D.C., to attend George Washington University, where he plans to major in Political Science and eventually pursue a career in politics or civil service.

Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has awarded $15,500 in scholarships to over 30 students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle.

In addition to Chenette, this year’s honorees included Mary Gibson ’07, a nationally recognized archivist and advocate for Indigenous cultural preservation. Gibson, who graduated summa cum laude from UMA’s Information and Library Science program, is the founder and Executive Director of the Noowuh Knowledge Center in Elko, Nevada. A proud member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, she has dedicated her career to protecting and promoting Newe language, culture and history. Her work spans archiving, education and advocacy – from preserving collections of tribal history to representing her community at the United Nations and testifying on Native land and water rights. She also serves on advisory boards for the National Science Foundation and Great Basin Resource Watch, and she frequently mentors youth and educators through outreach and cultural programming.

The award is described as: '...a celebration of those who inspire others through their leadership, who use their talents to serve their communities, and who truly embody UMA’s mission in action. This year's honorees remind us that success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you lift others along the way.’

UMA President Jenifer Cushman praised both alumni for their contributions to their communities and for embodying the university’s mission. “Justin and Mary represent the transformative power of education and the lasting impact UMA graduates have across the state, the nation and the world,” Cushman said. “We are proud to honor their achievements and leadership.”

York County Commissioner Justin Chenette has been named Maine County Commissioner of the Month for May 2025 in honor of his public service by Spirit of America Foundation’s Maine Chapter.
 
Justin was elected commissioner in 2022 and served a term as the Commission’s Vice Chair. As the first Millennial and openly LGBTQ+ individual ever elected to the York County Commission, Chenette led the effort to pass the first ever Pride Proclamation in the county’s history.
 
On the Commission, he played a pivotal role in historic investments for substance use recovery and first responder training by committing funds and directing the start of construction for two state-of-the-art centers using ARPA money. He also supported efforts for the county to operationalize a regional dredge to protect coastal communities.
 
“The work we do at the county level is meaningful and impactful,” says Chenette. “I share this recognition with my fellow commissioners in our efforts to ensure county level government provides real leadership on big issues like coastal erosion, homelessness, substance use recovery, and public safety.”​
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Aside from the Commission, Chenette serves as a state appointee on Maine’s Right to Know Advisory Committee, is an executive committee member of the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission, and visits youth groups to promote civics education.
 
Justin created the Chenette Scholarship Fund, which has awarded nearly 30 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors over the past decade who have demonstrated civic minded leadership in their communities.
 
He previously served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 2012-2016 and of the Maine Senate from 2016-2020, representing the Saco area. At age 17, he became the first student member of the Maine Board of Education. 
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Maine Spirit of America is a chapter of Spirit of America Foundation, an organization promoting community service. For more info, visit https://spiritofamerica.website.

WMTW Channel 8: Maine residents who visited Rome before Pope Francis' death find news 'hard to process'

​It was a trip of a lifetime for Justin Chenette and his husband, Eduard. The Chenettes did a two-week bus tour in Italy and found themselves in the middle of Rome's St. Peter's Square.

​"Just to be in Vatican City for Holy Week and Easter Weekend, it was just a surreal feeling," Chenette said.

Chenette and his husband have plenty of pictures from their tour of Italy. Little did they know last weekend how special this trip would be.

They spent part of Holy Week in Rome. Good Friday and the Saturday before Easter.

"We were seeing all of the setup to the pope's arrival for Easter Sunday, and as a result, there were a ton of people, you could not move in that Basilica. You could not move in Vatican City. I mean, it was wall-to-wall people. I can only imagine what it was like on Easter itself," Chenette said. "It was just a beautiful experience to be able to go up into the Vatican dome."

​They flew home on Saturday night, and it wasn't until Monday morning, when they were jet-lagged back in Maine, that they heard the news about the pope's passing.

"It was hard to process because we were just there. We had just witnessed art, history, architecture, that feeling of something grander than yourself, and then to be hit with the news that the pope passed away, it was just hard to believe," Chenette said. "His goal was to make it through Easter, and he did."
Chenette said his memories of Rome will last a lifetime.

"It's a big deal. To be a part of that, even in a small way, to be in Vatican City and in the Vatican that weekend. It's something I will never forget," he said.

Mainebiz has named York County Commissioner Justin Chenette to their 40 Under 40 list, which highlights the next generation of leaders. 
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This is the third year the outlet has published a list of individuals they deem as Maine’s ‘up-and-comers who are changing Maine and the economy for the better.’ 

“My purpose-driven adventures spanning media, government, nonprofit management, and communications have all led me to this moment to make the biggest impact in my community and for our state,” says Chenette. “This helps fuel the next chapter of my story.”

Chenette accepted the award at a ceremony at Brick South on Thompson’s Point last month, where they recognized his efforts professionally at Sweetser, as their Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, and his years in public service.

Chenette was elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 21, the Maine Senate at age 25, and to the York County Commission at age 31, each time becoming the youngest or the only openly LGBTQ+ individual to serve. He began his career as the first student member on the Maine State Board of Education at age 17, after being appointed by Governor Baldacci.
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One of the questions Mainebiz asked in their profile was where does Chenette see himself at age 60. His response? “I hope to be giving back in a way that’s impactful, purpose-driven, and meaningfully improves the lives of others. Service is in my blood. It’s a part of who I am.”

Profiles of award recipients are available online at Mainebiz.biz. See Chenette's profile below.​

Three area high school students have been awarded a total of $1,500 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The foundation’s Leadership Scholarship is awarded each year to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle who exemplify qualities of community leadership and civic engagement. This year’s recipients are Tyler MacVane, Derrick Webber, and Gregory Brunk.

​“Their passion for helping others is truly their authentic form of self-expression,” said Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner and founder of the scholarship. “No matter their chosen path in life, their futures will involve making a difference and improving the quality of life of those around them.”

Tyler MacVane of Saco is this year’s recipient at Thornton Academy. Tyler received this award recognizing his efforts volunteering in the community with various causes and working his way to become an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout involved building picnic tables for community members to enjoy. Tyler takes the time to appreciate the service of others through efforts like Honor Flight Maine, Wreaths Across America, and placing American flags at Laurel Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College this Fall.
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Derrick Webber is the scholarship recipient this year from Old Orchard Beach High School. Impressively, Derrick completed at least 130 hours of community service over his time in school for various causes, including volunteering with the school’s Interact club. He has helped out at community events organized by the town’s recreation department, and he participated in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs where students develop skills as a leader. All while being an all-star athlete on the field and on the court. Derrick will be attending Maine Maritime Academy for Power Engineering Technology this August. 

Gregory Brunk of Buxton is Bonny Eagle High School’s scholarship recipient. This recognizes his efforts volunteering through his church and youth group as well as his commitment to his studies with a 4.0 grade point average. He also excelled in sports, placing 3rd in the state championship for wrestling. Gregory will be attending Maine Maritime Academy later this summer for marine engineering, with hopes of applying his knowledge to working on various ships.
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Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has provided over $12,000 worth of college scholarship awards to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle. Learn more about the scholarship at www.ChenetteScholarships.org. 

SACO AREA – Four area high school students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The mission of their Leadership Scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders through service. Since 2015, the foundation has fundraised and awarded over $10,000 worth of scholarships. This year’s recipients are Elise MacNair, Cole Cochrane, Ben Moore, and Luke Plummer.

“I am constantly in awe and so very proud of our scholars,” said Justin Chenette, the foundation’s founder & executive director. “This group isn’t waiting around to make their mark. These young leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to giving back and will continue inspiring others as they chart new ways of taking up the mantle of leadership.”

SACO/OOB – Four area students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in leadership scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.
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The mission of scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders. 

​Santino Perrone, of Old Orchard Beach, is their 2022 recipient at OOB High School. Santino served as class president all 4 years of school. He was involved in Track, a mental health awareness group, and volunteered with local community and political groups. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College to major in Communications and New Media. 

Will Barry and Lilly DesRoberts, both of Saco, are the 2022 recipients at Thornton Academy.
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Will has logged over 300 hours of community service with his Troop 310, including a focus on food insecurity in the area. Will became an Eagle Scout this year, with his project centering around properly retiring American flags with the VFW Post & Elks Lodge. This Fall he will be attending the University of Maine Orono, majoring in Civil Engineering.

​Lilly was the Student Council Senior Class President and spent 4 years volunteering on campus and in the community through the Student Council. She is also in National Honors Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Thornton Academy Tripod among other groups. She is going to Salve Regina University and will be majoring in biochemistry with a pre-dental track.

​Michael Gervais of Buxton is the 2022 recipient at Bonny Eagle. This the first year the nonprofit offered a scholarship at Bonny Eagle. Michael was heavily involved on campus as part of the Key Club and Natural Helpers. In his free time, he likes to provide landscaping for the elderly. Michael will be majoring in Math at the University of Southern Maine on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming an educator. 

“All of these future leaders have a passion for helping others in need,” said Justin Chenette, the nonprofit’s founder & executive director. “Their staunch determination to succeed and commitment to service will serve them well in the next chapter of their leadership journey.”
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All four students graduated last month.

Learn more about the Chenette Scholarship Fund at www.ChenetteScholarships.org.