Jessica Gifford, she/her, is the founder and chief connection officer at Project Connect. She received her master’s degree from Smith College’s School for Social Work and began her career providing individual and group counseling. She has two decades of experience creating and implementing evidence-based programs that improve mental health and wellbeing. Jessica has chosen to focus exclusively on belonging, connection, and communitybuilding, as she sees these as pivotal points of intervention that can reverse the current pandemic of burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Charlie Gauvin, Jr, he/him, is joining the DHC annual meeting as an Inmigration Services Consultant. Charlie previously served as the director of outreach and education at the Refugee and Immigration Services Office at Catholic Charities. Charlie grew up in Maine and holds a double major in anthropology and global studies at Colby College. Since late 2018, Charlie has worked at Refugee and Immigration Services with Catholic Charities Maine and has held roles as a volunteer, and as an employment case manager, focusing on helping newly arrived refugees and newly granted asylees find their first jobs in the United States.
Luc Samuel Kuanzambi, he/him, is the founder of XENOS Communications Consulting LLC – a communications agency catering PR solutions, language services, audiovisual productions, and Public Engagement in Maine and the United States. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luc is a veteran in communications facilitation and corporate stakeholders management and has rediscovered his passion for community and entrepreneurship.
Orson Horchler, he/him, is a carpenter, street artist, and musician who, for the past decade, has utilized his talents to confront xenophobia in Maine. He is president of Bondeko, a construction social enterprise hiring immigrant talent. Orson is also a speaker and a consultant on intercultural leadership. Learn more about Orson’s work: Elevating Voices, TedX Talk – Beyond Xenophobia, Disrupt HR Portland – The Unspoken Truth
