The American Red Cross Northern New England Region welcomes new leadership at two Maine Chapters

By Mary Brant, Regional Communications Manager

The American Red Cross Northern New England Region is pleased to welcome two new leaders to its Maine chapters. Steve Thomas is the new executive director for the Southern Maine Chapter headquartered in Portland. Sophie Piconi has accepted the executive director position for the Central and Mid Coast Maine Chapter located in Topsham.

Steve Thomas joined AmeriCorps Vista following his 2010 graduation from Eastern Kentucky University. That experience included working with their National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program. At that time NCCC teams assisted extensively in disaster relief operations alongside the Red Cross providing Steve his first exposure to the organization. Steve served in Red Cross shelters in Delaware during Superstorm Sandy and was assistant to the manager of New Jersey mass care for all sheltering activity in that state. Subsequently he pursued

a master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in non-profit management from Indiana University. In 2019, he relocated to New England and began his Red Cross career serving most recently as Maine’s Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist.

"To me, serving as an executive director is all about opportunity,” said Thomas. “Opportunity to share our mission with new partners, energize Red Cross donors and volunteers and enhance our impact by serving more Mainers. I can't wait to seize those opportunities in my home community and beyond."

Sophie Piconi brings 25 years of non-profit experience to her new position with the Red Cross. She has served in leadership roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, SFX Missions, Children of the Immaculate Heart and the San Diego Blood Bank. Sophie has extensive experience building partnerships, volunteer recruitment, creating teams, fundraising, managing operations, program development and media relations. Sophie lives in Camden with her husband, two children and multiple international exchange students.

“I am honored to join the Red Cross and work side-by-side with the extraordinary volunteers, donors and staff to continue to deliver on the mission to help people in times of crisis,” said Piconi. “I am also very much looking forward to deepening our relationships with all of the communities across Central and Mid Coast Maine.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Sophie and Steve to their respective leadership roles in the Central and Mid Coast and Southern Maine Chapters,” said Stephanie Couturier, CEO, Red Cross Northern New England Region.  “We believe Steve and Sophie’s combined leadership experience will bring these two chapters to new levels of success.”

The American Red Cross of Northern New England serves more than 3.2 million people throughout New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. The region covers 40 counties and 49,083 square miles. Our more than 1,600 dedicated volunteers deliver our humanitarian mission with the support of a small group of employees.

As a community-based, humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross provides free emergency assistance shelter, food, clothing and emotional support to people affected by disasters. We empower families and communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies every day.