Liza Fleming-Ives, Executive Director of the Genesis Community Loan Fund, a nonprofit community lender focused on financing solutions to create and preserve affordable housing and other community assets.

Kind, creative, and collaborative leadership. Determination to make things happen that otherwise wouldn’t. Caring for people and community.

Community-minded.

The Mainer who inspires me most was my aunt, Ruth Ives, who founded a nonprofit organization called the Community Housing Improvement Project to address needs in her community inspiring neighbors to help neighbors to make homes warm, safe and dry. She improved the lives of many people. She also made the best blueberry muffins!

Maine faces a housing crisis that makes it difficult for people to find safe, stable and affordable housing throughout our state, especially in rural Maine. The housing crisis creates both a personal challenge for many individuals and families and also an economic challenge for Maine communities.

The determination, caring and creativity of Maine people, whether they are part of families who have been here for generations, or they are new Americans. I see this every day at the Genesis Fund in my work with community partners.

I hope the solutions we’re creating now to address the affordable housing crisis in Maine will result in many more people having safe, stable and affordable housing.

Rue 77 in Damariscotta.

The Pemaquid Peninsula.

I feel fortunate to know many Maine women who are strong and collaborative leaders who seek to support each other and work collectively toward solutions to address our state’s most pressing challenges.

I moved to Maine over 20 years ago because of family ties and it's where my children were born. I have stayed because of a deep sense of connection to Maine communities.