On July 24, 2025, the lounge at the Northeastland Hotel was filled with purpose, conversation, and the buzz of leadership in action. As part of our seventh Ignite You Speaker Series, we were honored to host Dr. Marie Hansen and David Tripp for a full-day session exploring rural leadership, servant leadership, and transformational practices that truly shape how communities thrive.

🔍 What We Explored

This wasn’t just another leadership workshop. It was a deep dive into the real skills and mindsets needed to lead well — especially in small communities like ours. Here’s what stood out:

• Strategic Conversation Planning — how to align clarity, relationships, and outcomes.
• The Assault on Attention — and how to rebuild presence through active listening.
• Intent-Based Communication — shifting from reacting to leading with purpose.
• Power Over vs. Power With — embracing influence through everyday micro-practices.
• Transformational Framing — including the analogy: a glass half water, half air… yet always full.
• Environmental Stamping — “We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”
• Perception, Attention, and Cognition — how leaders make meaning.
• Servant Leadership Characteristics — plus book insights for deeper reading.
• Interviewing with Intention — David Tripp’s signature questions:
  “What’s your story?” and “What’s your ideal environment?”

Participants left not just with inspiration, but with practical action plans:

• How will I know I’m successful?
• How will I ask for support?
• Who will I share this with back at work or in my community?

🎤 Meet the Speakers

Dr. Marie Hansen, JD, PhD, SHRM-SCP, PCC
Dean, College of Business, Husson University
Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, and Mindfulness Trainer
LinkedIn Profile →

David Tripp
Chief Executive Officer, ISEI | Certified Professional Coach | C-Suite Advisor
WPI Leadership Faculty
LinkedIn Profile →

Their combined expertise created an unforgettable atmosphere of learning, reflection, and actionable growth.

🌱 About Ignite You

This event marked the seventh Ignite You session since late 2024 — and each one continues to build momentum. Designed as a regional hub for personal and professional development, Ignite You brings together rising talent, business owners, and local innovators to grow together and shape the future of Aroostook County.

We’re proud to offer this programming thanks to generous grant support from MTI with their MERC, and we're just getting started.

📢 What's Next?

If you attended this session:

• Reflect on your action plan.
• Share what you learned.
• Invite a colleague or peer to the next one.

🚀 Program link coming soon – check back to register for upcoming sessions and view the full speaker archive.

💬 Stay Connected

Follow us, tag your takeaways, or start a conversation using:
#IgniteU #ServantLeadership #RuralInnovation #CommunityBuilding #MTI