For the past eight years, Amie Hutchison has served as the executive director of Trekkers. Since her arrival in 2016, Hutchison has overseen the program through fundraising and programmatic challenges presented during the pandemic and helped the organization grow.

Hutchison will be leaving Trekkers at the end of April to join the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation as the Animal Welfare and Legacy Community Partner.

“My belief in the mission and my confidence in the team is stronger than ever. Although the decision to leave my position is bittersweet, I’m excited to have the opportunity to follow my longtime dream of working in the philanthropy sector,” said Hutchison, in a Trekkers news release. “I am equally excited for the future of Trekkers. I look forward to seeing what amazing things will be accomplished.” 

During the past eight years, Trekkers undertook a collaborative and comprehensive strategic planning process with staff and Board. The organization purchased its first ever building in 2020, taking advantage of low-interest rates and building permanent roots in the community.

Trekkers completed its first-ever multi-year program evaluation by the University of Southern Maine, which demonstrates an increase in positive outcomes for students compared to peers, according to Trekkers. Trekkers financial stability has increased, and community members look forward to annual fundraising events including Fired Up, where the area’s best chefs create small dishes on the same BioLite® stoves students use on expedition and the audience votes for favorite dishes.

“So many people have contributed to Trekkers’ thirty-year record of cultivating the inherent strengths of young people through the power of long-term mentoring relationships. In her tenure, Amie has built a strong staff dedicated to delivering on the promise of providing safe, growth-oriented programs for young people,” said Kathleen Meil, Board Chair of Trekkers. “She has truly set up Trekkers for an incredible next chapter, and she has the deep gratitude and best wishes of the entire Trekkers community.” 

Transition planning is underway, and the board looks forward to sharing next steps to ensure leadership continuity.

Prior to her arrival to Trekkers in 2016, Hutchison served as Executive Director at P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center and Program Director of Youthlinks, a youth program in Rockland.

About Trekkers:   

For 30 years, the nonprofit organization Trekkers has been dedicated to helping young people thrive. Through its unique six-year mentoring and expeditionary learning program, research shows programs help to increase students’ resiliency skills, ability to build positive relationships, and develop aspirations for the future. To learn more, visit the website at trekkers.org.  
 
Trekkers also offers training to educators and youth development professionals seeking opportunities to improve social-emotional outcomes for young people through the Trekkers Training Institute. To learn more about professional development opportunities, please visit the Trekkers Training Institute website.