Amberlynn is an amazing alum who is leading in so many ways – both professionally and in her community. She’s been in the Maine banking industry since 2011, and currently serves as the Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending Development Officer at Mascoma Bank. Enjoy our Q & A with Amberlynn below.
What brought you to USM?
Well, it all started with a doodle. I was in class, sketching what I believed to be a sophisticated party budget—complete with a T chart of how much pizza and balloons were going to set me back—when my teacher leaned over and said, “You know, that looks a lot like an accounting T chart.” That small observation inspired me to enroll in the accounting program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology and there, I was able to earn early college credits. As I began exploring options for the best business school in Maine, USM kept coming up in conversations with mentors, friends, and community leaders. Plus, a few close friends were going, so it just felt right. (And in fact, I did end up planning numerous networking events and parties over the years!)
What was your experience at USM like?
My very first friend at USM found me lost in the Luther Bonney lobby holding a printed class schedule. She asked if I knew where a room was, and it just so happened we were headed to the same class. Fifteen years later, we’re still close friends!
Though primarily a commuter student, I found ways to connect on campus. Joining the USM cheer team was a highlight- literally launching myself into pyramids and tosses during basketball games and traveling to the NCA College Nationals Cheer Competition in Daytona Beach, FL. USM was full of unexpected adventures and friendships, both on the ground and mid-air. Go Huskies!
How did your career unfold after attending USM?
USM was instrumental for my professional career in many ways. Thanks to mentorship, networking, and early job opportunities, I began working in my field even before graduation. My coursework in accounting and finance established a solid foundation in credit underwriting and risk management, which I utilize daily in banking.
Although I initially planned to become a CPA, I discovered a passion for banking and commercial lending. Now, as a Commercial Loan Officer, I support real estate investors and developers in bringing ambitious projects to life- transforming communities along the way.
What excites you most about the work you do at Mascoma Bank?
It’s got to be the community impact. Mascoma Bank, as a certified B Corp, is deeply committed to addressing community needs. From financing affordable housing and solar energy projects to historic preservation, we actively participate in solutions that positively impact society.
One particularly rewarding project involved helping a woman- and minority-owned business acquire her commercial property, which she now leases to other women entrepreneurs. Now, when I drive by and see the parking lot full of cars, I get a little jolt of “YES, we did that!”
What might others find surprising about your work?
I get to help give away money—how fun is that? I serve on Mascoma’s Bank-Wide Donation Committee, where we review grant applications from nonprofits and community groups to determine where our charitable dollars should go (separate from our sponsorships). This work is so meaningful and one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role.
You have extensive leadership experience, having served on multiple boards, including PROPEL Portland, and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. How did you get connected with those opportunities, and what advice do you have for others who want to be more actively engaged in similar work?
True story: I used to have pretty intense social anxiety. To overcome it, I challenged myself simply to show up to events that aligned with my interests and values. Initially, I was the awkward early bird who arrived before the name tags were even set out… and also the last one to leave.
But that’s exactly how I met the leaders and organizers. I asked questions, offered to help, and eventually joined committees. Committees turn into boards, and boards lead to more opportunities. My advice: don’t wait to be invited. Just start. Show up curious, be helpful, and keep going. Before long, I was appointed by Governor Janet Mills to the board of the Maine Technology Institute (MTI), where I get to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the state. Your network will grow before you know it.
Of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
Being featured on the Mainebiz cover as one of their 40 Under 40 dynamic individuals shaping Maine’s economy was truly an unexpected honor. I’ve looked up to the leaders and changemakers featured in Mainebiz for years, so to be included among them was incredibly meaningful—and a little surreal.
But if we’re playing “fun facts,” I’ve also had the chance to represent Maine on the national stage as Miss Maine at the Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas to share my story. You might even spot me on the wall of my gym as a fitness model—which is honestly a pretty great motivator to actually show up to the gym.
I’ve worn a lot of hats (and a crown), but at the heart of it all, I’m just passionate about lifting up Maine communities whether it’s through banking, volunteering, or making connections.