FocusMaine announced that Joanna Benoit has been named the organization’s new Manager of Grants, Finance, and Administration.

Benoit brings a wealth of expertise to FocusMaine, with a distinguished career in managing grant-funded projects across public, non-profit, and private sectors. With extensive experience handling federal awards and private foundation grants, she has managed annual budgets up to $11 million and grants totaling $17 million, consistently demonstrating a deep understanding of the grant lifecycle and a commitment to driving impactful and collaborative outcomes.

Benoit’s career has focused on community resiliency through economic development, with a primary emphasis on supporting local food and agriculture businesses. After a brief period in public health working at Maine’s Office of Behavioral Health, she is excited to return to this work with FocusMaine.

Benoit is actively engaged in community service, currently serving on Freeport’s Town Council. She leverages her grant and finance expertise to support local economic development programs and advocate for improved decision-making processes. Additionally, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) Policy Board, which is responsible for collaboratively developing and endorsing transportation plans for the greater Portland region.

She holds a Master’s degree in Policy, Planning, and Management from the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Systems and Policy from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

When not in the office, Benoit can be found paddling Casco Bay, backpacking in Maine’s mountains, or planning her next adventure. She lives in Freeport with her husband Taylor, their dog Blueberry, and their two cats, Phife and Nelson.