Khmer Maine Names Marpheen Chann as new Executive Director

PORTLAND, ME — Khmer Maine, a nonprofit organization serving the Cambodian population in Maine, has appointed longtime President and Founder Marpheen Chann as its new executive director. The decision was made at a board meeting on Sunday, April 7th, following a months-long effort to ensure a smooth transition and new board membership. 

“The Khmer Maine Board of Directors has seen Khmer Maine flourish under Marpheen's leadership as president and founder,” said Sosanya Pok, who was appointed acting president at Sunday’s meeting. “His ability to forge meaningful and mutual partnerships and focus on sustainable leadership and program development, has set us on a path to future growth and success. This is a natural step forward and the board is enthusiastic in its decision."

Khmer Maine is a nonpartisan, community organization working to improve the quality of life and the social and economic well-being of Cambodians in Maine through cultural exchange, community building and civic engagement. Khmer Maine also partners to support members of Maine’s Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander communities and strives for solidarity with Black and Indigenous communities in Maine. 

Since its founding in 2018, Khmer Maine has grown from a small, grassroots community organization with a working board into a nonprofit, community-based organization with staff and growing programs focused on Civic and Community Engagement, Arts and Culture, Food and Farm, and a pilot program focused on Land and Justice. Khmer Maine also recently announced its partnership with Watt Samaki Temple to locate a community center and temple in Westbrook, Maine. 

“I'm incredibly proud of what Khmer Maine has accomplished going into its fifth year,” said Marpheen Chann. “We hired our first full-time staff person last year and piloted and launched key program areas to support and lift up our community.”

Marpheen Chann is an award-winning author and was the first Cambodian-elected official in Maine when he won a seat on Portland’s Charter Commission in 2021. He serves on a number of boards and committees, including the Portland Planning Board and the boards of Maine Conservation Voters, Quality Housing Coalition, and Maine Philanthropy Center. He lives in Portland, Maine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law.

“We did a lot of work as a largely volunteer-run organization but we still have a long way to go to realize our vision for a thriving, vibrant, and visible Cambodian community,” continued Chann. “I'm excited to now lead that work as Executive Director to secure resources and to continue working with our partners.”

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