What is your name and occupation?

My name is Penny York, Senior Vice President at Bank of America and current Mayor of the City of Rockland. 

What are you known for now, and what would you like to be known for in the future?

I’m probably most known as a Rockland City Councilor and Mayor for the city of Rockland, because those are such public roles. I would like to think I’m known for being a part of a really dynamic group of leaders who are focused on removing barriers to creating housing. So much so, that Rockland is now regarded as a place that developers big and small look to for developing, and that’s a drastic change from the Rockland of 10 years ago.  In the future, I hope people will remember that I was a part of an incredible group of leaders who worked their butts off to try to revitalize Rockland and create a chain reaction of growth in the Midcoast that will impact us all for years to come. 

What advice would you offer to someone new to Maine hoping to build a life here? 

Maine is an incredible place filled with the most genuine, community oriented people. The best way to meet people and find your own niche is to ask if anyone else is interested in what you are passionate about. Toss it out there! There’s likely a group already meeting that shares your interest, or people will enthusiastically support you starting something. There are so many incredibly cool people living in Rockland, you never know who you could meet…someone could help you step outside your comfort zone and make some magic. 

Maine is known for its work ethic. Do you think that living in such a rural state has shaped the way you approach your career and your goals? 

I was surrounded by a lot of successful, hard working people growing up, and the common themes with those people were that they all did multiple things and were willing to adapt to the needs of the community.  My grandfather was the mail man but also repaired bicycles and caned chairs. My mother was a book keeper, but also made birthday cakes. I think the mindset of diversifying is such a New England way of addressing the needs of your community.  With that example, I propelled myself into a career where I became known for my willingness to lead with flexibility, always jumping at the chance to get in on the front end of change, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Many people shy away from change, and I embrace it with abandon. 

Maine is full of strong, independent women—how do you feel connected to the women around you here, whether it’s in your community or your workplace?

My examples of strong women in leadership are a beacon to me every day, and one that I had to learn to appreciate but modify for my own use. I follow the example of my Grandmother Priscilla, who, to me, personified what a hard working female executive should look like (shoulder pads and all). She had a tough exterior, sat in her office chain smoking Benson and Hedges, and didn’t take any crap from anyone.

Later, when I worked at WRKD/WMCM (radio station) on Main Street in Rockland, I used to watch State Representative Jean Chalmers in her daily comings and goings. I watched how she carried herself, how she interacted with her constituents and watched the papers to see the changes she was making, and I knew I needed to be a part of that.  

Because of these ladies, I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a leader, but I wanted to forge my own way. I owe the leader I am today to my boss at Bank of America (Stephen Shannon) and the teams I work with. These incredible people are a second family to me, and have shown me that there is a call right now in the world to lead with kindness, respect and fairness, and I accept that challenge wholeheartedly.

 If there’s one thing you could change or improve for women in the workforce in Maine, what would it be, and why?

Without question the first thing I would tackle would be wage equality. I still cannot believe that in this day and age that a woman can have the same exact experience and qualifications as a man, and make significantly less money. 

Equal pay for equal work, period.

What advice would you give to young women growing up here in Maine who are dreaming of building careers, perhaps in industries where women are underrepresented?

For young women dreaming of building careers here in Maine, I would say, dream big! If you can dream it, you can do it! The barriers that used to exist in remote work really don’t exist anymore, so I think people looking to carve out a place for themselves will find more opportunities and fewer limitations. You don’t need to head to a big city to work remotely in design, technology and so many other fields, so do something you love, and you’ll be successful. A word of advice, though…if you do land a remote job, don’t forget to find co-working locations near you so that you can network. Working is less fun without coworkers! 

Maine is a place of incredible beauty but also challenging winters. How do you stay motivated during the tough months—when the days are short, and the weather is harsh?

Contrary to popular belief, Maine does not close for business when the tourists leave…the vibe just changes to make room for the heartiness of community…a different type of togetherness that shares a hot cup of coffee on a frosty hike or gathers around a crackling bonfire on a frozen lake. Learn to layer well and join your neighbors in spaces where we have to lean in closer for community and warmth, you’re welcome here.

With so much focus on family and community in Maine, how do you manage the expectations that come with being a working woman in a small town or rural area?

This is a constant battle of balance for me that challenges me to improve my leadership. The desire to be all things for everyone in my life is a big challenge, and almost a calling from the women who have come before me. Most recently, I’ve been paring back on commitments so that I can focus on executing my top priorities flawlessly and delegating more. The great thing about my role as Mayor is that I know so many experts in different areas within my community…people who are better qualified to take on these tasks, and can teach me at the same time. I love learning about these folks and their incredible hidden talents within my community…it reaffirms my love for Rockland daily.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of? What’s the legacy you hope to leave for the next generation of women in Maine?

I am most proud of the work that I have done with my fellow Council members on Rockland City Council. We’ve been focusing on housing, and addressing the gaps outlined by Maine State Housing, passing a community sponsored housing bond (the first EVER in the history of the State of Maine), and making it easier to live in Rockland. In turn, we hope that in partnership with our Economic Development Director, an abundance of housing will bring larger employers to the area, in turn impacting not only jobs but the imbalance of residential vs. commercial tax burden in the city. 

I hope that the next generation of female leaders will look at what I’ve done with my career(s) and see that nice people don’t always finish last. You can work hard, be true to yourself, make lots of space for the things that you love, and affect change within your community that can have a ripple effect in ways you may never know.