The USM Alumni Mentor Program connects current students with experienced alumni to provide career insights, guidance, and valuable networking opportunities. The program will foster meaningful connections, helping students navigate their career paths with advice from those who have successfully walked similar journeys.
Mentors and students will meet virtually or at the Career & Employment Hub, creating a dynamic space for growth and learning.
Learn about Alumni Mentors!
Mentors are organized by their USM major. To find an alumni mentor with a specific major, select a letter below to jump to that section.
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Matt Rothman
Manager of Recruiting
Hannaford Supermarkets
USM Major: Business Administration
Matt Rothman ’06, business administration, leads recruitment for Hannaford Supermarkets’ home office and nearly 200 stores across ME, NH, VT, MA & NY. He creates strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent, ensuring alignment with the company’s growth goals and culture.
After completing Hannaford’s Retail Management Training program in ’07, Matt managed stores in southern Maine before moving to the home office. There, he led communication and technology teams before transitioning into HR to guide early career and internship programs. His passion for people development led to his current role as Manager of Recruiting.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys time in Cumberland with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs.
Sophia Di Risi
Student Recruitment Consultant
Northeastern University
USM Major: Business Management
Sophia is a proud alum of the University of Southern Maine’s School of Business, where she graduated in May 2023. During her time at USM, she was actively involved both in and out of the classroom. She participated in the Spanish Club, tutored students in Production & Operations Management, worked in hospitality in downtown Portland, and supported the USM Career & Employment Hub by managing the Job Shadow Program. In her final semester, she interned at the Maine International Trade Center as a research assistant, and was named, Future Global Leader of the Year in 2024.
Shortly after graduating, Sophia joined The Roux Institute at Northeastern University as a Recruitment & Engagement Manager. She was drawn to Roux’s mission of driving economic growth in Maine and the northern New England region through graduate education, partnerships, applied research, entrepreneurship, and more. In her role, she traveled across the region attending career fairs and conferences, connecting with prospective students interested in Roux’s graduate programs.
This spring, Sophia is excited to be joining Northeastern University London as a Student Recruitment Consultant. In this new role, she’ll support prospective students in reaching their academic goals and will also have the opportunity to lead a team of Student Ambassadors. She’s incredibly grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to this next chapter abroad.
Outside of work, Sophia enjoys international travel and exploring new cultures – having visited over 20 countries. She also loves spending time with family, friends, and her dogs, and being in nature.
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Kathryn Madden
Principal Consultant/Lecturer
Self-Employed
USM Major: Geography-Anthropology
Kathryn Madden is an urban planner who has worked with many cities, universities, and communities to shape their futures, while also teaching the next generation of planners at Clark University and Harvard University. Her research and practice has focused on the regeneration of urban districts and the role of the community in defining and implementing change. Her experience has largely been in the “legacy” cities of the United States, working on complex projects in downtowns, industrial districts, institutional campuses, waterfronts, and neighborhoods.
The foundation of this work is to involve all stakeholders, reaching out to include underrepresented populations as well as elected public officials, industry and civic leaders, institutions, special interest groups, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and others. Navigating a wide range of political interests, she works to find shared interests and build partnerships that result in implementation. Her district plans have led to significant new investment, coordinated between public, private, and institutional sectors in cities across the United States.
Over the years, her research interests turned to the challenges of creating a dynamic, sustainable, and more equitable economy in postindustrial cities. Ms. Madden has advised on governance structures with the goal of developing organizations that will sustain community and economic development initiatives over the long term. She currently serves on local government and non-profit boards that work toward these same goals.
Ms. Madden taught community development and planning at Clark University and planning studios at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Prior to opening her own firm, she was a Principal at Sasaki Associates, an international design and planning firm. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography-anthropology from the University of Southern Maine and dual master’s degrees in city planning and architectural studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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Alex Lemay
Studio Operator
John Gregory
USM Major: Media Studies
Alex is a camera and audio operator at a local news station, where he plays a key role in the daily production of live newscasts. His responsibilities include operating in-studio cameras, managing mics and audio levels, and ensuring all technical elements run smoothly in a fast paced, high pressure environment. His attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot on the fly make him a reliable part of the production team.
Outside of the newsroom, Alex runs a side business focused on weddings and sport videography. This creative outlet not only allows him to capture meaningful, high-energy moments but also gives him the opportunity to explore advanced editing techniques using Adobe Premiere Pro such as color grading, audio mixing and transition effects. He has used his business to network and connect with other videographers, photographers and other vendors within the wedding industry that has helped him grow his business.
Whether in the studio or on location, Alex brings a thoughtful, technical, and creative approach to every project, always striving to produce clean, compelling, and memorable content.
Michelle Rawding
Finance Manager
Boston Lyric Opera
USM Major: Music Performance
Michelle Rawding is a dedicated arts professional with a passion for fostering a vibrant arts community in southern Maine. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Maine, where she studied under the esteemed late Margaret Yauger. Michelle currently serves as the Finance Manager at Boston Lyric Opera, bringing her combined expertise in finance and the performing arts to one of the region’s leading opera companies.
In addition to her professional work, Michelle is actively engaged in nonprofit leadership as Treasurer of Saint Mary Schola, an early music ensemble committed to historically informed performance. A proud veteran of the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band, she contributed her talents as a flutist and gained a deep appreciation for the role of music in service and community.
With a lifelong commitment to the performing arts and a strong background in both performance and administration, Michelle is passionate about Arts Administration and is dedicated to supporting and growing the cultural landscape of southern Maine. Currently she lives in Portland with her two cats, Freyja and Noctis.
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Valeria Sauda
Chief Nurse Administrator
Husson University
USM Major: Nursing MSN and Biology BA
Dr. Valerie Sauda graduated with a Bachelors degree (B.A.) in Biology and Master’s degree in Nursing (M.S.N.) with a concentration in community health nursing from the University of Southern Maine and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Maine. Dr. Sauda is the Chief Nurse Administrator for the Husson University School of Nursing in Bangor, ME.
She has practiced nursing in a variety of settings including acute care, community health, long term care community practice, and Dr. Sauda is an ANCC certified Gerontology nurse, and is certified by NLN as a Certified nurse Educator. She has received recognition As Distinguished Educator in Gerontological nursing from the Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence, and a nursing leadership award from Omicron Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. Dr. Sauda has been active leader in Sigma Theta Tau International at both international level, regional and local levels and has served on multiple community boards.
During her nursing career, she has worked across the continuum of care with primary focus on community health and education focus. Dr. Sauda is a mother of three adult women and lives with her husband, Michael and two cats, Pangur and Klaus, and dog, Bubba. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, music and camping in her time away from work.
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Linda Son
Clinical Supervisor
CorHealth
USM Major: Social Work
Linda Son is a dedicated social worker with a diverse and impactful career in the nonprofit sector and healthcare. Graduating with a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2014, Linda has spent over a decade working with individuals and communities across various settings. She began her career working with children and families before expanding her expertise to include older adults, ultimately bringing a broad perspective to her work.
Throughout her career, Linda has contributed to both nonprofit organizations and a Level 1 trauma center in Maine, where she provided crucial support to individuals facing life-altering challenges. Her deep commitment to others has been evident in her work, especially in high-pressure environments where compassion and strategy must align to make a tangible difference.
In her current role as a Clinical Supervisor, Linda leads and mentors a team of professionals, guiding them in providing the best care and support to those in need. She’s passionate about fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment, ensuring that her team is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to help clients overcome adversity.
Outside of her professional life, Linda enjoys life’s simple pleasures—savoring delicious food, sipping on coffee, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Whether unwinding at home or enjoying the company of loved ones, Linda values the balance of relaxation and connection, which helps fuel her continued dedication to her work.
Amanda Blake
Director, Digital Transformation
Unum
USM Major: Sociology
Amanda Blake is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in project management, digital transformation, and customer experience optimization. As the Chief of Staff and Portfolio Manager at Unum, Amanda plays a pivotal role in guiding strategic initiatives, delivering data-driven insights, and fostering a culture of excellence. Her contributions have led to impactful outcomes, including operational expense reduction, enhanced customer satisfaction, and significant client growth.
Amanda’s leadership extends beyond technical expertise; she excels at building strong partnerships, facilitating governance processes, and managing talent development programs. Her innovative approach is exemplified by the early careers program she designed, which achieved a 100% engagement satisfaction rate. Amanda’s ability to align business goals with actionable strategies earned her the prestigious Unum Aspire Recognition Award, which acknowledges individuals who embody company values.
Prior to her role at Unum, Amanda held key leadership positions at UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits and Fallon Health, where she championed process improvements, lean management practices, and strategic project execution. She consistently delivered measurable results, including substantial annualized savings, improved customer service metrics, and enhanced operational efficiencies.
Amanda’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Southern Maine and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Analytics from Northeastern University’s Roux Institute. She holds multiple certifications, such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Project Management Professional, and SAFe 6 Product Owner/Manager, further solidifying her expertise.
Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Amanda has served as an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group leader and actively contributed to organizational initiatives that promote equity and belonging. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, cooking, traveling, and improv, reflecting her adventurous and creative pursuits.